Chained To The Devil novel Chapter 31

“Hope the guy you’re hiding is good in bed, because he doesn’t seem to have much of a pair. I could’ve had you right now, and he wouldn’t have done shit.”

He leaves laughing. I run to lock the door behind him.

Alexander steps out of the bathroom and shoots me a dark look.

“Mind telling me why you didn’t let me come out? I would’ve shown that son of a bitch I’ve got way bigger balls than he does!”

“This is my business, not yours.”

I walk toward my half-torn robe and put it back on. I fake indifference.

“Now leave the way you came in. If Hakim comes back, I’d rather you not be here.”

I head to the window to open it, but he grabs my arm tightly.

“Where do you think you’re going? I’m not leaving until I get some answers.”

“Let me remind you you’re not supposed to be here.”

His grip tightens.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Since the beginning of this conversation, my eyes have been staring at nothing. I don’t want to meet his gaze.

He just heard all the horrific things Hakim said about me. He’s smart enough to understand how I’m treated and where I stand.

Outside gangs have no idea of my real position. They see me as the “cold, bossy princess” always barking orders.

He could’ve heard worse. I need to keep things in perspective. I can’t show weakness.

I finally looked into his eyes with a neutral expression, like nothing had happened.

“What happened here—forget it.”

Alexander responds with a bitter laugh:

“Who do you think I am?”

“I think you’re a guy who entered my room without permission!”

“Don’t take me for a fool! You and I both know I’m probably not the first to come into your room without consent! At least I didn’t try to touch you!”

He’s angry.

“What are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean…”

“Why do you keep your mouth shut with him but have no problem mouthing off at me? I saw him on top of you. He was about to take you with or without your permission!”

I fake a laugh like he’s completely insane.

“I don’t know what you took before coming here, but you must be hallucinating.”

He looks at me, confused.

“Judging by the state of your robe, I doubt that. I saw him straddling you. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about! Look at the bump on your forehead!”

“Hakim and I fight often. You must’ve misunderstood. I fell accidentally.”

“I don’t know why he didn’t rape you, but he intended to.”

“Stop talking about rape! Nothing happened!”

My hands start trembling as I fake indifference.

“Why are you shaking? When Anis and Franck tried to rape you, you were more aggressive, but now…”

I can’t answer him.

“I don’t know what you’re hiding or what’s going on in this villa, but it’s shady.”

I stay expressionless.

“That son of a bitch insulted me to my face. I held back from smashing his head into the wall.”

“Do what you want, as long as Hakim doesn’t find out you were the one in my bathroom.”

“Why?”

Because I’m supposed to give my father information about you, not sneak you into my room and hide you.

“Of course you have! I haven’t seen you in two years!”

I lower my head in shame. I’m the only one responsible for the distance between us. I was so caught up in my father’s missions that I couldn’t spare any attention for poor Maria.

“I’m sorry, Maria. Things aren’t in my control.”

Maria is the only one I can be myself with. She knows me as if she gave birth to me—she’s the one who raised me.

No need for masks. She’s always been kind to me. I don’t have to be on the defensive with her.

“Since when does my little princess lower her head?”

“You know very well that to me, you’re not like the others.”

“I know, my dear. But don’t forget I’m an employee and you’re my boss.”

“You know better than anyone that I’m also an employee, just like you.”

I grab her hand and place it on my cheek.

“You’re my family.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth.”

“Your father always wanted you to see me as a housekeeper.”

“That’s what he wanted, but that’s not how I see you.”

“I was surprised when he called me back. He never liked the bond we shared.”

Khalid doesn’t love me, but that doesn’t stop him from being extremely possessive. He can’t stand feeling threatened by anyone, especially not by a “mere servant.”

“He only did it so I’d be more willing to move back into this cursed villa.”

“We both know what he’s capable of.”