Lily: Captive to the Dark by Alaska Angelini Read Free Book Online

what he spoke was the truth. “You still want to go on that date? I don’t blame you if you’re ready to run out of here.”
    Three steps and he was before me. “I’ve been dying to ask for months. Threats of missing limbs aren’t going to keep me away now. How about tonight at seven? There’s a restaurant not a block from here called Lucien’s.”
    “That’s one of my favorite places to order out from,” I cut in.
    “Great. Then you’ll like the food. So, seven?”
    All I could do was stare up into his light brown eyes. They weren’t anywhere near as captivating as my Master’s, but they had a certain draw to them. Slowly, I nodded. “Seven.”
    “See you then.” He picked up my hand, brushing his lips across my knuckles. The tingling was automatic and I inhaled deeply, unable to stop myself at the shock of contact. Fuck, it had been too long.
    “See you,” I breathed out.
    As he walked away, I couldn’t stop myself from taking in his wide shoulders and slim waist. Now that was appealing. He looked like he was in good shape. His build was definitely just as attractive as his face. Why hadn’t I noticed before?
    The door shut and I reached back for my desk. My legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment. Was I ready for this? Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure. Too many questions were going through my head and I couldn’t think straight. A knock had me pushing myself to stand straight.
    “Come in.”
    Slade strode back through, his arms coming to rest across his chest. “I’m sorry about losing my temper. I realize you’re old enough to make your own decisions and I smother you at times. You understand it’s because I love you, right? I’m just trying to keep you safe. No one will hurt you again. I won’t let them.”
    “I love you, too.” I forced myself to hug him again. “Everything is going to be alright. You’ll see.”
    “No, you’ll see,” he said, squeezing. “I’ll make it so.”
    There was no point in saying anything else. Slade was determined and at this stage, it was pointless to continue. Instead, I stepped away and grabbed my purse. “I’m heading out early. There are some things I need to do before tonight.” I clutched the strap tighter. “I need you to back off some with Alec. You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need this. And I do,” I stressed. “More than you know.”
    A groan filled the room as he pushed his hands into his pant pockets. “I don’t like this, Lilian. I don’t. Just…be careful around him. Don’t trust anything he says, and God forbid, if he pushes you too hard on anything you’re uncomfortable with, walk away. Your guards will take care of the rest. You owe this man nothing. You don’t.”
    His words hit home and my gaze lowered. Maybe a part of me did feel that way. Even though I’d killed his family because of what they did, I still felt bad that he had to go through that pain. Regardless of whether he denied their closeness or not. And I truly hadn’t killed Jordan. Slade had, but I’d never tell a soul the truth. To the courts, it happened during my mental break, and that was the story I was sticking to.
    “I won’t do anything I don’t want to do. You have my word.”
    “Good. You have fun shopping or doing whatever it is you’re going to do. I’m about to head out, too. Damn guy in my office already left. He doesn’t listen for shit, but a part of me likes him and I have no idea why.”
    “What guy?” I stepped over, walking to the door with Slade.
    His eyebrows drew in. “Zane Collins. I’ve met him a few times, but today was different.”
    My heart all but stopped at the first name.
    “Different how?” I managed.
    “He…reminds me a lot of myself. He has balls. Drive. I’m intrigued by the mystery that he is.”
    I paused as he turned the handle, pulling open the door. “Mystery?”
    Slade laughed. “You wouldn’t understand. It’s a guy thing. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Maybe I’ll never see