CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
ROXANNE
I watched Ryker intently as he removed the cuffs. “I'm sorry,” I whispered. He didn't answer me though. He just kept removing the shackles that restricted my movement and I couldn’t be more grateful.
“You were having a nightmare,” he pointed out.
I nodded shyly, embarrassed that I had slapped the Alpha Lord. I was getting closer to my death. Closer than I imagined.
“Were you just watching?” I ask as I try to shield my chest, uncomfortably aware of how damp my clothes were from sweat.
“I was coming to check on you and you looked like you were ready to break out of those so I came in. It's none of my business really, I just didn't want you hurting yourself.”
“This is the hundredth time that you've checked on me since you kept me in this room,” I said flatly.
“That's because I can hear whatever noise you make. You don't have to be so lousy you know!”
I nodded, “Heavy on peace and quiet eh?”
“Hang in there,” he murmured as he helped me sit up.
I rolled my eyes as I watched him. It felt good to be off the cuffs and I had no idea how itchy my skin was till I was free.
“If you keep itching like that, I'll have no option than to tie you up again,” Ryker said, frowning hard.
I chuckled. “It feels surreal. I can actually feel my skin now.”
“Don't dare come close to me,” he said, pushing my hands away. “You look like a rabid infused dog.”
“You're not mad that I broke the side of the bed?” I asked worriedly. “I mean I can pay you but not now though–”
Roxa—”
“Perhaps if you've got any money you could lend me and I'll pay you then I'll work hard to repay you for the loan.”
“I swear on the moon you don't breathe when you talk. What's all that rambling about?” Ryker said as he rubbed his forehead.
I sat up straight. “I don't know but usually when I break things it's only right that I have it fixed back. I remember when I broke Nancy's teeth,” I said and closed my eyes as the memories came flooding back.
“It was the only thing I couldn't fix and she had to wear this hideous mouth piece that would fall out when she tried to eat. It was really funny.”
Ryker flashed me a dirty look. “Hurting someone was funny? What was I thinking when I brought you here?”
I grinned. “I'm not perilous, trust me but she deserved it. She kept talking about how unfortunate my parents were to have me because I had red hair and I still had to pay for her mouthpiece with the money I was saving to get a custard cake.”
Ryker shook his head in disbelief. “It always has to be about food.”
“And why do you sound disappointed?” I asked as I crossed my arms on my chest and eyed him.
He smirked and I just had to realise how irresistibly hot he was and how beautiful yet threatening his crimson eyes were.
“I'm not disappointed Roxanne. Just amused. It just seems like you live all your life thinking about food.”
My eyes widened in amazement. He was quite smart. “How do you know? I mean Lordddd that's all I've ever lived for. I never had anyone want to do anything for me because I'm weak and yeah they think I'm a curse. So they won't help me out and I was always secluded.”
Sadness laced my voice. “But I'm used to it and trust me it's really comforting. I wanted different but there was nothing to look forward to except the meal I was going to eat. Because the slightest mistake and I would be denied food. That's how it's always been. So yeah, I like food because it's the only thing that I can look forward to.”
“I'm sorry…”
I placed my hands on his mouth and shook my head. “Don't do that. Don't feel pity for me, it's disgusting.”
He shrugged and tucked his hands in his pocket as he watched me with those eyes that seemed to be a darker shade whenever he was around me
Maybe I was delusional but they did become a deeper shade of red.
“Why are you helping me? I mean, I ain't got big titties though.”
“Roxanne!” Ryker growled. He looked frustrated like he could pull out his hair with his hands if I said any more words.
“Chill, big tiger,” I said. “It's just heads up in case you have intentions of wooing me. I don't like Alphas by the way.”
“God forbid I have interest in you,” he spat. “I'm not helping you, be smart. I've thought about our negotiations and I've decided to let you out of this hellhole.”
“Perfect,” I said and clapped my hands together. “So I get to see the light of day, I get to see people and get woken by the birds and not some angry guards?”
“Save your excitement for later. You owe me.
I gazed into his eyes dreamily. “You're right. I owe you my firstborn.”
“You're a lunatic and every word that comes out of your mouth makes me wonder where your head's at.”
I stood on my feet. It ached but it felt good to actually be on my legs again. They were growing weak from being held hostage but today… today I was free.
What took him so long?
“You really need to get a bath,” he said as his eyes scanned my body.
“You really need to take your eyes off me. I know I'm sweaty and stinky but this is all your fault,” I sulked.
“You're never going to forgive me are you?”
I chuckled. It's weird how his expression was numb whenever he spoke about serious things. I hated how he showed no emotions. “I'd rather suck the devil's cock than forgive you.”
He blanched and I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing.
“How old are you again?” He whispered, after he found his voice.
I ignored him. “Thank you for freedom.”
“You're still under my watch, woman. One wrong move, I'll leave you here to rot.”
I showed him my hand. “I've already done that. I need something more exciting. Like removing my organs whilst I'm still alive.”
“I could agree that you're a serial killer with an innocent woman's facade.”
I don't know why I did what I did but I let my eyes wander to the front of his jeans. “If I was one, I would have removed your balls.”
“Enough Roxanne! I still want children. Now I have to be more careful of how exposed they are, around you.” He growled.
I stood silent and held my dress closely around me to keep it from falling off. What was it like up there, away from this dungeon but into the real place? No one liked me here. Was it going to be like white moon?
Ryker snapped his fingers and brought me out of wonderland. “You don't need to think deeply about it. It's not so hard.”
“Huh?” I asked, absent mindedly.
“I'm not forcing you to tell me things, Roxanne. I just need to know.”
I was puzzled. “What are you talking about?”
Ryker slapped his forehead for what I was sure could have been the fifth time.
Except, I lost count a long time ago.
“Let's go,” he murmured.
***
As much as I was itching to know what he had said in there, I didn't probe and he didn't repeat himself either. The guards followed closely behind while Ryker, he was very distant.
Like he didn't want to be seen with me.
I didn't want to be close to him either and the last thing I wanted was people glaring at me weirdly. But of course they did stare. Perhaps someone had left the door of the morgue open and a cadaver woman was walking into their territory in a dress.
I would be disgusted too.
But it felt warm and smelled nice and Red Moon, like I was told, was perfect.
For the Alpha maybe, but not for me.
But the smell of wood and paint comforted me. It wasn't like the odour of sewage down there that tormented my sixth sense.
Or whatever they called it.
Deep down I wanted to pierce their eyeballs with my earrings but they'd see me as a threat. I could save the drama for later though.
While Ryker talked to a few staff members, I stood on the side blowing kisses at the women who watched and winking shamelessly at the men. They watched and whispered but I couldn't care.
“Excuse me?” A calm and manly voice said.
I turned to the side and saw a handsome man. He gave a small smile.
“You must be Roxanne,” he said.
I hesitated before nodding, “I feel famous.”
He nodded in agreement. “Almost everyone has heard of you.”
I smiled softly. “You're not helping matters.”
He chuckled lightly.
I scanned the sea of heads but I couldn't see Ryker anymore. Where on earth did he go? Not like I cared about his movements anyway. I just didn't want to be left with these people who wanted me dead.
“The Alpha has a meeting so I've got to be in charge,” Miles said as if he understood my discomfort.
“And who are you?”
“I'm Miles the Beta and I'm here to show you around.”