Page 51 of Captive Vows
“I wasn’t mocking you,” he replied, proving that he would always want to argue with me. “I just don’t see the point.”
“And now I understand it. Whatisthe point? Why should your father fuel my dreams, give me that studio and those lessons? Why would he go so far as to arrange this audition when I’m just a possession to keep behind locked doors and armed guards? Whatisthe point?”
He furrowed his brow at me.
“It’s not like he’d allow me to go to school. It’s not like he’d grant me the freedom to travel on tours to perform for others. Right?” I shrugged. “In that regard, it is stupid of me to even try.”
He had no reply.
“I get it now,” I said again, hating this defeatist attitude before performing. There was no clarification about what my future could be like. The only constant was that Luka owned me.
“Don’t overthink it,” he advised wryly.
I sighed, glancing around at the evening sky, relishing the fresh air while it lasted.
“And don’t break a leg.”
I raised my brows. “That’s not how it goes. You’re supposed to tell metobreak a leg.”
“You want your legs broken?”
“No.” I clamped my lips shut. I couldn’t expect a Mafia assassin like him to comprehend it. He broke bones for a living, probably torturing people before killing them.
“No. It’s a saying,” I explained. “For showbusiness in general. Telling someone to break a leg means wishing them good luck.”
“Oh. Fine. Good luck, then.”
I shook my head. “I don’t need luck.” So long as I kept his father out of my thoughts, I could—and should—rely on my skill. “Only hard work and determination.”
“Then…” He shrugged, gesturing for me to get in the car. “Have fun with that.”
I slid into the car, noticing the flutters of nerves in my stomach. This would be a chance to run, to escape, but I had no desire to do so. Why would I rush off when I was being driven to a private audition? I never could’ve counted on Luka Dubinin to get me closer to my dreams, but there it was.
Before the door was closed and the car sped off, he slid in after me. I hadn’t counted on him to show up like this. Much less get in the car with me.
“What are you doing?” I blinked, surprised that he’d be near me after the distance of his avoidance. Those flutters in my stomach intensified with that now-familiar excitement he made me feel. “Why— What’s going on?”
“I’m coming with you.” He arched one brow, not lightening up on his serious expression as he set his phone in a pocket inside his suit jacket.
“You’recoming with me?”
He nodded once, peering at me like I had lost the plot. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”
I narrowed my eyes. Talk about mixed messages. Wasn’t he the same guy who avoided me after eating me out? “Whywouldyou?”
He rolled his eyes, gesturing at the driver to drive.
I sank against the cushion, watching this confounding man.
“What, do you not trust me to be out of your house? You’re thinking I’ll run away while I can?” That was my best guess for him to personally escort me to this audition.
He didn’t reply, simply staring me down.
“You don’t trust me outside the walls of your ‘fortress’?”
“I do.” He straightened his cuffs. “Or rather, I trust my men to supervise you outside my home.”
It was my turn to roll my eyes.
