Page 39 of Kept

“I have a life you know. A career. Robert will get Bella caught up, but there is a huge show in a couple days. And I’m missing my lessons.”

He goes back to pouring the water down my body. “I’ll work on something.”

“Vincent?”

“Yeah?”

“Why do you care?”

He’s quiet for a long time, and I assume he’s not going to answer. Finally, he sighs. “I don’t know.”

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but raw honestly certainly wasn’t it.

I lie there, cocooned in the warm water and the arms of the mob boss that kidnapped me a day ago, staring up at the night sky. And I laugh.

“What?” he asks, amusement in his tone.

I twist to look at him. “This is fucking ridiculous.”

He quirks an eyebrow back at me.

I spread my hands apart, gesturing around to everything. “This! You, me, kidnapping, mafias, shower sex, shoving me in a trunk. It’s… absurd. Like this doesn’t just happen. This is not my life.” I flop back against his chest, the water sloshing around the tub. I feel him kiss the top of my head.

“So what is your life?”

“Basically a rinse and repeat of yoga, smoothies, class, and performing.”

“Swan Lake, correct?” he asks.

“How did you know?”

“Super-secret mafia source. Google.”

I roll my eyes so hard, I’m pretty sure my whole head moves.

“What is your favorite show to perform?” he continues.

“This one. Swan Lake.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s real. It’s not this cute little story all wrapped up in a bow. It’s deception and betrayal and forgiveness and fighting for your own destiny.”

He starts to knead the muscles in my shoulders and neck. “It has two endings, right?”

“Mmmmm,” I groan. His hands feel amazing. “Yes. Actually it has a bunch, but people usually talk about the happy ending and the tragic ending.”

“Which is yours?”

“The company does both. Switches off and on based on the day.”

“Do you have a favorite?” He keeps up his rhythmic massaging, and I feel my body turning into mush.

“Yeah, the tragic ending.”

He chuckles. “Why?”

I tilt my head to look at him. His dark eyes are focused on mine, the faint light just enough to illuminate his features. He’s… interested. Listening.

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