Uncovering You 2: Submission Read Free Page B

have Stonehart think I am frightened.
    My muscles quickly relax in the luxurious water. There’s a cupboard filled with assorted salts, soaps, and shampoos nearby. The only thing missing is a mirror.
    An hour or two later—I lost track of time in the tub—I step out of the bathroom with a lush, thick towel wrapped under my armpits. I could almost imagine I’m alone in a magnificent hotel suite… were it not for the collar around my neck.
    I hate that collar. I hate what it represents. I hate what it can do. It will never let me forget that I am a prisoner.
    But, because of that, I will never forget my need for revenge.
    The door across the hall is closed but not locked. I pry it open slowly—and am greeted by the most amazing powder room I’ve ever laid eyes on.
    A waist-high, granite counter top is stocked with enough beauty tools to make a makeup artist blush. Rows of lipstick in every shade fill one shelf. Eyeliner, eye shadow, moisturizers, powders, and all sorts of accessories fill another. All are from the most expensive beauty brands.
    If Fey ever saw this room, she would die of pure joy.
    Of course, there is also a mirror. I see my reflection for the first time in weeks. I barely recognize the girl staring back at me.
    Stonehart was right: I look awful.
    My skin is pale from lack of sun. My eyes have dark bags under them. My cheeks are hollow and sagging from poor nutrition. My lips, which have always been so naturally red that I never had the need for lipstick, are now a pallid gray. The usual shine in my eyes is gone, replaced by an empty lifelessness.
    Anger flares inside of me. All of it is directed at him . He made me like this. He is the reason I am unrecognizable. I turn sideways to take in my profile. I’m so skinny I’m afraid the smallest gust of wind will blow me away.
    Stonehart starved me, deprived me of everything, and then he has the goddamn nerve to call me wretched ?
    Calm down, Lilly , the voice of reason whispers in my head. Do not react to his words. They are meant to incite you!
    I relax my hands so my nails don’t draw blood from my palms. The voice is right. I gain nothing by responding to him this way.
    I need to keep my emotions in check. But I will forget nothing he does. I will have vengeance, and I will bring Stonehart down.
    I walk out of the powder room without touching so much as a speck. I have no desire for makeup.
    Besides, I want to have ammunition in case Stonehart reneges on his word. He said I have seven days to myself. If he breaks his promise, and comes earlier, he will not find a woman looking her best.
    I walk back to the room with the pillar. I decided to call it the sunroom while I was in the tub. Better than calling it a prison.
    I make an annoyed sound in my throat after thinking of the term ‘prison.’ I promised myself that I would not refer to any part of this estate by that name.
    It’s not that I’m trying to delude myself. Not at all. I want to avoid using that term to steel myself in my purpose.
    A prisoner has no purpose. A prisoner has no choice.
    But a concubine , on the other hand? She always has a choice.
    Besides, truly: what better way is there to destroy something—or in this case, some one —than from the inside out?
    Stonehart has his own reasons for keeping me here. I suspect they go deeper than his baser desires. But I have my own reasons for staying, too.
    Fool! It’s not like you can just walk out!
    I shake my head to silence that voice. The only way to keep my sanity—the only way to have some semblance of control—is to make myself believe that I am here for my own reasons. If I truly want to take down Stonehart Industries—and the man with it—I need to be smart. I need to bide my time. I need to ingratiate myself to him, to appear weak, and harmless, and above all, nothing like a threat. I need him to think he is winning.
    Because the moment he lets down his guard… this mouse will transform into a viper.
    Pleased with my plan