Page 72 of The Tower

For that matter, what the hell is wrong with me? This is an arrangement. A deal. An unconventional liaison between me and Grimm in exchange for Grimm exposing my father and setting me free.

I’m not his girlfriend. And why on earth would I want to be? He’s a controlling bastard, just like my father, whose price for keeping me safe is sex, and who ultimately only cares about bringing my father down.

We have that last bit in common. But the rest of it? Why should I care about a man like that?

Because he’s not like that.

Except he is. The little voice in my head is an idiot, because Liam Grimm is exactly like that. Controlling and vengeful and hard. But he’s not like that in the same way my father is. Even as annoyed as I am with him right now, I have to give him that much.

Dammit.

I roll onto my side, then hug my knees to my chest. I close my eyes, letting myself drift. Despite hours in bed, I didn’t get much sleep last night, and in no time at all, I succumb to the lure of dreamland.

When I wake, there’s bacon.

I blink, wondering about this strange dream. Then I realize it’s real. Grimm is sitting on the edge of the bed holding a plate with five pieces of bacon, a croissant, and a tin of jam.

“You didn’t eat,” he says, leaving the plate as he stands, pointing to the side table. “Coffee’s there.”

I look up at him. “I guess I was wrong.”

“How’s that?”

“You’re not the devil after all.”

His grin is mirthful, but something dark flickers in his eyes when he says, “Don’t be so sure. The devil’s a charmer.”

I let my eyes trail over him. “And beautiful, too.”

He holds my gaze. “My dear Ms. Reed. Are you flirting?”

“Why would I do that? You’re my captor, remember? That would be creepy. Besides, I don’t like you.”

A hint of a smile dances on his mouth, so subtle it could be nothing more than an illusion. “Yes,” he says. “You do.”

He crosses to the door and pauses at the threshold. “Eat. Get dressed. We’re moving on.”

I sit up straighter. “Where?” I ask, despite a mouthful of bacon.

“Somewhere not here.” He taps his watch. “Thirty minutes, Sasha.”

I push the plate aside and stand up, wrapping the sheet around me. “You can’t just tell me to eat, then tell me that we’re leaving, but not actually tell me anything.”

“Yes. I can. You’ll follow my instructions like we agreed.”

“Dammit, Grimm, last night⁠—”

“Last night didn’t alter any of our terms. You were part of our deal. The major part, in fact. I took what I was owed. A small portion, yes. And I look forward to taking more. We have a contract, Princess, and consideration was exchanged. And until that contract expires, I will take payment when and how I desire. I assume that’s clear?”

I can only stare at him.

“Sasha?”

“Crystal,” I say. “Now get the fuck out and let me change.”

He turns to go, but pauses at the door, his back to me, his hand on the knob. I see his shoulders stiffen, then the subtle movement of his torso as he takes in a deep breath and slowly releases it.

He turns the nob and pushes the door open, then stops to look back at me. “What did you expect, Princess? We walked into this with very specific terms. But don’t worry. If it’s more sex you want, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve barely begun to use you the way you should be used.”