Chapter 8 - The Golden Cage
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By nightfall, Clare and Oliver were moving into the Lombardi estate.
The suite was breathtaking. It was larger than her previous apartment, featuring plush carpets, a massive king-sized bed, and a separate room for Oliver equipped with the state-of-the-art medical filtration machine Gabriel had promised. Oliver was thrilled, treating the whole experience like a stay in a luxury hotel.
Clare, however, felt the invisible bars of the cage.
She stood by the window, looking out over the manicured grounds heavily patrolled by armed guards. She was a prisoner dressed in silk.
A soft knock came at her door. She opened it to find Sebastian in his wheelchair, holding a glass of amber liquid. He looked tired, but the sharp intelligence in his eyes was as present as ever.
“Is the room acceptable?” he asked.
“It’s very generous,” Clare said stiffly. “But I don’t like being forced into things.”
Sebastian wheeled himself slightly into the room. “I don't force people, Clare. I rearrange their circumstances until my way is their best option.”
“That’s exactly the same thing.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “You aren't afraid of me. Why?”
Clare crossed her arms. “Because you’re a patient. And right now, you need me more than I need you.”
Sebastian’s smile faded, replaced by a dark, intense look that made her breath catch. “Don't mistake my need for weakness, Clare. I am a very dangerous man. But I protect what is mine.”
May you like
“I’m not yours,” she fired back.
“We’ll see,” he murmured. He took a sip of his drink. “Be in the gym at 6:00 AM. We have work to do.” He turned his chair and rolled away, leaving Clare with a racing heart and a terrifying realization that she was entirely out of her depth.
