Twisted Perception (Flawed #2) by T.l Smith Page B

door as I walk through it.
    Mika and Gabrielle look up at me, shock written on their faces. “You injured him,” she says speaking first. I nod my head and sit down on the couch.
    “Yes, how long does it take you to break them?” I ask, looking at Gabrielle.
    “Months,” she says.
    “I can do it in weeks.”
    “You hurt them to break them,” she says shaking her head.
    “Do your clients complain about your Thralls?” I ask her. She looks puzzled and glances back at Mika.
    Mika points to the man tied up and says, “Thrall.”
    “Yes, they try to escape.”
    “Then you’re not doing your job properly,” I tell her, kicking my shoes back off.
    “Who are you?” she asks, a question more to herself than directed at me.
    “You will do as she did, not a thing different. Now leave,” Mika says and she stands, looking back once at me as she closes the door.
    “Let me touch you?” Mika asks from his seat, slouched back and watching me.
    “Not a chance in hell,” I tell him, shaking my head.
    “Is it ‘cause it will mean more than them?” he says pointing to the Thrall behind the glass. “Or because it will make you feel?” he asks me. I stand and place my heels back on.
    “I have a family dinner to attend, I need to go home. I’m leaving,” I tell him. As I walk past, he captures my wrist.
    “I’m coming,” he says standing, then letting me go.
    “You’re not coming to my parents’ home.” I blanch at the thought.
    “I can and I will.” He opens the door, gesturing for me to walk through first.
    Arghh, I want to inflict pain on him. So bad!

 
    Chapter 16
    Mika quietly follows me up the stairs to my parents’ home.
    I look back to him before I enter. “Do not tell them what I do.” He nods his head and I open the door. Jessa, dressed in all black and looking bored, spots me first. She looks behind me as Mika steps in closer and she stares at him.
    “Mom! Dad! Aria brought a boy home!” she screams and I give her the middle finger.
    “Man. She brought a man home,” Mika corrects from behind me. I laugh at him. It doesn’t take Mom long to come around to the entrance and she stops when she sees me, shaking her head.
    “You should at least cover them up when you come home,” she says, stepping closer and kissing my cheek. She looks behind me and spots Mika, then looks back to me. “Who’s your friend, Aria?” she asks and Mika steps next to me offering his hand.
    “Mika, Mrs. Bliss,” he says, using our last name. Mom blushes, and I’m a bit taken aback. She never blushes. “Call me Deb,” she says. “Do you work together?” she asks, pointing to Mika and me.
    “No, I am dating Aria.” My head spins so fast, if you saw it, you’d think I was possessed.
    “Oh, really? I’ve never met anyone our daughter has bedded.” My mouth drops open. Does my mother think of me as a slut?
    “Oh, I haven’t bedded her, Deb, we’re taking things slow. Plus, I don’t think Aria’s like that. She truly is a remarkable woman, I’ve never met someone like her.”
    “Yes, there’s no one like our Aria.” My father walks in and gives Mom a look that makes her cringe. He’s obviously heard what she’s said and steps forward and wraps me in a hug. “Don’t worry, baby. She doesn’t think that of you,” he whispers into my ear and pulls away from me. He then offers his hand to Mika, who shakes it and introduces himself. I look at Mom and watch her eyes go from me to Mika, apparently trying to work out how he’s with me.
    Her eyes stop on me, but she doesn’t say anything. The next thing I know I’m being picked up and placed on hugged. “Missed you,” Jagger’s voice comes booming from through me. He places me back on the ground and hooks his hand around my shoulders. His body goes rigid next to me; Mika is staring at us, his jaw clenched.
    “Who’s this?” Jagger asks.
    “Oh, that’s your sister’s new boyfriend,” Mom says leaning in and kissing Jagger’s cheek before