Page 55 of Heir of Fire
“Can’t help being a brat, can you?” He closed the door, moving to the other side to get into the driver’s seat. He turned on the car and they began their drive.
“I was just complimenting your helpfulness.”
“I’m sure you were. By the way, I have to say I quite like those little ballerina outfits you wear,” he said, looking down at her.
She was still wearing a black leotard, light pink tights, and a pink wrap top with a matching ballet skirt. It was what she wore during practice, and she had meant to at least change into some sweatpants, but his comments in the studio made everything completely slip her mind.
Gianna rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
“Is that what you wear during every practice?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Different variations.”
“Are there boys in that class?”
She turned to face him, a grin on her now. “Are you jealous?”
“I have nothing to be jealous of. I’m fucking you, they’re not.” Finn looked over at her, and she caught the darkening of his eyes. “I will say though, if any of them ever do anything inappropriate to you, I will fucking kill them.”
“Careful, you’re starting to sound like Valerio.”
“God, don’t compare me to him of all people.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Where are you taking me? This could be classified as kidnapping.”
“We’re going to the city,” Finn said. “And that’s all you’re going to get for now.”
“That’s it? I need more than that. It was a lot of work to be able to have tonight covered. Somehow, me and Cecilia managed to convince everyone we’re doing a wellness night at some spa.”
“I know, she’s with Augustus tonight,” Finn said causally.
Gianna’s eyes went wide. “She’s with Augustus?”
She felt horrible. Gianna hadn’t known where Cecilia was going for the night, all she kept saying was that she had it covered and not to worry about it. Had she known that meant Augustus, Gianna absolutely would not have agreed to it.
“I feel horrible. I had no idea she was going there. Wait, does Augustus know about us?” Gianna asked.
“Yes, he does. I told him, and she’ll be fine with him. He would never hurt her,” Finn said. “That’s probably why she didn’t tell you about it.”
She frowned, thinking about Cecilia. Immediately, she began chewing on her nail in worry.
Finn looked over at her, grabbing her hand. “Don’t think about it now. She’s fine.”
“Maybe I should just call her.”
And she did, but Cecilia didn’t answer. She did, however, end up sending a text saying not to worry about her and to have a good time. It seemed to be Cecilia and not some kidnapped version of her, so it soothed Gianna’s worries enough. She owed her best friend everything and more.
The spring weather was in full bloom. The sun shined brightly, but it wasn’t overbearingly hot or freezing cold. It was the perfect amount of warmth coupled with the emergence of bugs and flowers that made Gianna love spring as much as she did. Though it was May now and she only had a month or so left of it, spring in the city reminded her that she needed to spend more time outside instead of letting the studio swallow up so much of it.
“What are you thinking about?” Finn asked.
“Just how much I love this time of year. The flowers, the rain, how everything just comes back to life after the harsh winter.”
“Seems fitting that you would enjoy spring.”
She crinkled her nose. “Why is that so fitting?”
“You’re so bright. If I had to match any season to you it would have been either that one or summer,” Finn said, giving her a smile.
