The moment Lex leaves, I feel like I can breathe. I don’t know what about him makes my brain foggy.

“Hunter, what do you normally do to prepare for bedtime?” I ask Hunter, shifting my focus on him.

“Well, Lulu was mean to me. So I just tried to go to bed fast.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. She sounds like a witch.” Hunter giggles. “The witch is gone, so you won’t have to worry about her. Let’s get your pajamas ready and run you a bath before the story.” I add, making him laugh.

“Yay!” Hunter claps, jumping up and down. He makes me smile.

For the next fifteen minutes, I give Hunter a bath. We also chat about his day. He is such a sweetheart. Even though I’ve just met him, I’m upset by the behavior of his last nanny. But I suppose it won’t matter since I’m here now. He won’t have to deal with anyone being mean to him for now.

“So, what kind of stories do you like? Do you have a favorite book?” I ask Hunter as we walk toward his bed.

He shrugs his shoulder. “Nothing.”

“Okay, I have the perfect story for you. Get in bed.” I order him. He happily complies. While he does, I take my cell phone out of my pocket and search for a book. After a few seconds, I found one — The Hiccupotamus.

“There was a hippopotamus who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus. And every time he got’emus… he’d fall upon his bottomus!” I start.

As I read him the story, I try to make funny sounds. His smile is so infectious. It doesn’t take long for his eyes to start to sag. It will be a matter of minutes before he is fully asleep. I’m about to flip to the last page when I hear Hunter’s soft snoring. I pull his blanket up and then step back to ensure he is asleep.

I quietly leave the bedroom, not wanting to wake him. Just as I close the door, I sense someone watching me. I look around, and there is no one in sight. This is ridiculous. Who would be watching me? Shaking my head, I started walking toward my bedroom. What I need right now is a shower and sleep. Despite feeling better, I’m exhausted. The last forty-eight hours seem unreal.

“You are good with Hunter.”

A voice startles me. It’s coming from behind me. I stop and turn around to face the voice. It’s Lex. He looks like he just came out of a shower.

“Thank you.”

“The chef has made dinner and left it in the kitchen for you.”

“You didn’t need to trouble yourself,” I tell him as he takes another step closer. When he reaches me, his scent hugs me. A woody, spicy scent surrounds me. For a few seconds, he stares at me.

“Hunter normally wakes by seven in the morning. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo.”

“Okay. My next class isn’t until Thursday. It shouldn’t be an issue.”

Lex closes the distance, and it’s now a few feet from me. Instinctively, I take a step back. But that doesn’t stop him, and he meets my step.

“A driver will take you and Hunter to the zoo. I expect you to send me text messages every hour with updates on Hunter throughout the day.”

I’m about to answer when my cell phone rings. I immediately take it out, concerned that it might wake Hunter. When I see the screen, my heart stops. Immediately, I press the end button.

“Who is calling you?” Lex’s demand.

“A friend. I can call her later.” I say quickly.

“I’m not going to indulge you lying to me. Who was calling you?” His voice is angry, which makes no sense.

“Mr. Biagini, as I mentioned, it was a friend. Excuse me, I’m tired and would like to rest.” I say, taking a step back. He matches my step and grabs my arm.

“I won’t ask a second time.” His voice is so cold that I shiver.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I already told you. It was a friend.”

“Give me your cell phone.” He orders as I try to pull my arm back.

“Please, let me go.”

“NOW!”

I’m not sure if it’s the tone of his voice or the cold stare. I pull my cell phone from my back pocket. There is no point in not following his order.

“Here.” I hold out my cell phone.

“Unlock the cell phone.” I unlock the cell phone and give it to him.

“Who is Brennan?”

“He is a friend from back home. I’m sure he just wanted to see how I’m doing.” I’m surprised how easily the lie comes out. But I can tell he isn’t buying it.

“I saw fear. Try again.”

“Mr. Biagini, please let go of my arm and return my cell phone.”

“Lex,” Gio calls.

“What?” Lex asks, still holding on to me.

“We have a situation.”

“This conversation isn’t over.” Lex lets go of my arm and hands me my cell phone.

“Okay,” I say, rushing out of his sight.

I don’t know why Brennan was calling me. He has been quiet for almost a month. I thought he had moved on. Maybe it was more about me hoping he had. But I guess once more, I was wrong. The moment I walk inside my bedroom, my cell phone rings again. I don’t need to look at the screen to know it’s Brennan.

“Hi, Brennan.” I lock my bedroom door and walk to my bathroom.

“Why did it take me to call twice for you to answer the fucking phone?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t hear it. It was on vibrate.”

“I was clear that when I call you, you answer immediately.”

“I’m sorry. Is everything all right?” I try hoping that he will move on.

“Why does something have to be wrong for me to speak with my fiancé?”

“You’re right. How are you?” I ask him, locking the bathroom door.

“I’m purchasing a plane ticket for you to come home. This has gone long enough.”

“Brennan, we had a deal. Once I finish my associate’s degree, I’ll come home and become your wife.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you anymore. I expect you to be on the flight, or I will come for you.” I take a deep breath. He will do it, too. But I can’t have that.

“Can I please finish the semester? At least so that I can transfer the credits?” There is silence for a few seconds. He is going to tell me no. I know it.

“I expect you to be home the day after your classes end.”

“Brennan—” The line is silence. I look at the screen and see that he hung up on me. A second later, a text message comes in.

Brennan: Your last day is December 9, 2023. The flight leaves December 10 at 9 am. Don’t miss your flight.

I think about responding, but nothing I say will change his mind. He will come for me if I don’t get on that flight. I unlock my bathroom and hear a knock on my door. It’s probably Angela. I know she doesn’t like me. The person on the other end knocks again.

“I’m coming,” I say. When I open the door, Lex stands before me. “Did you need something, Mr. Biagini?” He takes a step forward to walk inside my bedroom. I move to the side.

“Who is Brennan?” He demands standing inside the bedroom.

“I already told you he is someone from back home.” He takes steps forward, and I take a few back. He continues until my back hits a wall. He cages me in.

“I won’t ask you again.”

“There is nothing to be said, Mr. Biagini. Besides, you’re my employer. I don’t need to answer your question.” He leans in. He is so close I can feel the heat radiating from his lips.

“Is he your boyfriend?” There is anger in his voice.

“Yes,” I answer, hoping it will be enough for him to stop asking questions.

“As your employer, I forbid you to be with anyone.”

“Excuse me? You can’t forbid me from having a boyfriend.” He leans so forward that I think he is going to kiss me. But he doesn’t. His lips land beside my ear.

“You will not have a boyfriend.” His scent is overwhelming. I feel my head going foggy again. “Would you like to know why?”

“Why?” I ask in a whisper.

“Because you are mine.” He adds, following a bite to my earlobe.

I can’t help the moan that escapes me. The temperature in the bedroom seems to be getting hotter. I try to step forward to break from his cage, but he flushes against me. I feel how hard it is on my stomach.

“I wonder how sweet you taste.”

“Mr. Biagini—” I start but can’t develop additional words. Something tells me there isn’t anything I can say that will stop whatever is coming next.