Free Bartered by Pamela Ann Page A

Royal Highness.
    My barbed attitude didn’t go unnoticed. “So we’re back to Mr. Xavier again?” he asked, pausing in the middle of the room, standing tall and definitely in command.
    “I’m working for you, do I not?” I paused. “Mr. Xavier it is then.”
    He drilled holes into me, obviously feeling the heavy dose of my nasty , unpleasant manner. “I’m hoping this change of attitude wasn’t from what you witnessed downstairs?”
    Amongst other things, perhaps. “You think it’s because you openly fuck your girlfriends where anyone could just watch you successfully nail them into your table?”
    “You knew what you were getting into when you signed the contract, Isobel. So don’t give me this shitty attitude because you just got a wakeup call.” The cutting look he gave me merely inflamed my anger more.
    Trying to calm my breathing , I didn’t bother continuing the discussion about the contract and his indecent behavior. “Do you need something, Hugo?”
    “My aunt is coming to town , and I have a favor to ask.” Placing his hands inside his pockets, he then cleared his throat when I gave him a blank look. “She’s not very fond of my lifestyle.”
    “I doubt anyone is.” I couldn’t help blurting it out ; it was as if my mouth was possessed and had a mind of its own. “Except for you, of course,” I sarcastically added another layer of barb.
    His chocolate eyes darkened from my incessant behavior. “Careful , ma belle. Don’t overstep yourself with these snide comments. I can only tolerate so much.”
    Fine. I intended to keep my mouth shut before I said something I’d regret.
    Taking my silence as a green light, he continued with his explanation, “I have to send Sherry and Chantel to travel for the next few weeks until my aunt and my cousin’s stay is over. You’re closer to Elena’s age, therefore I’m requesting if you could play chaperone.”
    “Are you asking me to be your cousin’s babysitter?” He was sending his girlfriends away because they were too precious to be bothered by his aunt , and I was the dispensable, contractual woman whom he could order about. Great. I was his substitute personal assistant, somewhat plaything of a lover, his aunt’s entertainer, and a partial babysitter. I wondered what other skillful assignments I’d get after this.
    “Don’t be so overdramatic . Elena’s in her early twenties. Hardly a baby.”
    Whatever. I needed something to cool me down . Maybe I could take one of his vintage bottles of reds from his impressive wine cellar after this conversation. Giving him a haughty look, I conceded that it was best to follow his orders instead of defying him. It was too early to provoke him anyway, and even though the contract was signed and sealed, there was still a part of me that was afraid he could easily void it out and call the police on my father. As much as I hated my father, I couldn’t fathom hurting my mother; she was already going through so much pain that the news of my father getting into trouble again would basically push her over the edge. I was scared that, one day; she’d snap and end herself.
    “Isobel?”
    My mind had wandered off again.
    Shaking my thoughts off my parents, I gazed at him. “Hmm? What?” I asked , blinking a couple of times.
    He frowned at me. “You still haven’t given me your answer.”
    Drat. Chaperone was to be me, then. “Yeah, I suppose I don’t have much of a choice.”
    “You always get to have a choice, that’s why I’m asking for your permission. Don’t think that , since you’re under contract, it means I get to tell you what to do without your consent.” He was getting worked up, nose flaring, jaw locking, and the lot. “I’m not a tyrant and I certainly don’t work like that. It’s best you remember this fun fact.”
    Did I hit a sore nerve? It looked like it.
    “Well, that’s comforting to know .” I licked my lips before looking away from his too delectable profile. “I’ll