Page 12 of Kept

I wake up staring at a smooth white ceiling I’m certain I’ve never seen before. I’m lying on my back on the floor, with my legs propped up on the sofa.

“Welcome back.” The voice comes from behind me. I tilt my head to see him sitting in the chair closest to me, a glass of orange juice on the coffee table in front of him.

“What just happened?”

“You fainted,” he says matter-of-factly. He nods towards the juice.

I roll into a sitting position, swallowing down the dizziness that comes with the movement. “No way, I don’t faint.”

“Fine, then you took the world’s shortest powernap. Drink the fucking juice.”

I roll my eyes. Then I drink the juice. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” After a beat, he adds, “Though I didn’t expect to do this much first aid on someone I’ve kidnapped.”

“Well, I’d hate to put you out. I’ll show myself out.”

He laughs. “Oh, kitten, we’re not even close to done.”

I refuse to acknowledge the warmth I feel gathering between my thighs.

My cellphone is sitting on the side table next to his chair. It must have fallen out of my bra when I became one with gravity.

“Who is Robert?” he asks.

Fucking hell. “Just a friend. Probably wondering why I didn’t show tonight.”

“Your friend called twelve times. And sent at least that many text messages.”

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance.

“Oh, calling again.” He flips the phone around so the screen is facing me. Like magic, it unlocks. Fucking face recognition. He answers the call and puts it on speaker.

Robert’s voice is even more shrill than usual. “Oh my god, finally! Where are you? Are you okay?”

I open my mouth to yell at him to shut up, but De Luca moves far faster than someone as large as him should. He wraps his hand around my mouth and pulls me into his lap, the other arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

Robert, meanwhile, hasn’t taken a breath. “…I was so worried, and you weren’t answering, and you disappeared right after?—”

Vincent whispers in my ear, “For everyone’s sake, you’re going to tell him you’re okay. You twisted your ankle running and had to go to the hospital for an X-ray. Then get him off the phone. Nod if you understand.”

I nod, and his hand slides down to wrap around my throat. He gives it a quick squeeze for emphasis.

“Robert!” I have to call his name three times before I can get a word in. “Take a breath. I’m fine. I tripped over a curb and had to go get my ankle looked at.”

“Which hospital? I’ll be right there!”

“No, it’s okay. I’m getting discharged any minute, and the nurse called me a cab. But hey, my phone’s at like 3% so I gotta go.”

“Okay. Jesus, babe, you scared the crap outta me. See you Monday? Talk soon?”

I force a little cheer into my voice. “Of course. Bye, babe.”

“Ciao doll. Call if you need anything.” He disconnects.

De Luca removes his hand from my throat. He whispers into my ear. “Good girl.” His warm breath runs down my neck and makes me shiver. He grabs my phone and turns it all the way off. His hips shift when he does.

Holy fuck.

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