Page 9 of Kept By the Gemini

There’s a beat of silence and then he sighs. “I guess I understand. I don’t think I’ve ever felt about a woman the way you feel about her. It must be nice to call about someone that much.”

“Yes and no.” I ram my hand into my hair. “It’s exciting and wonderful and terrifying all at the same time.”

“Yeah. I get it. Well, like I said, make sure and get whatever plans you can get in motion quickly.”

“I will.” It’s unnerving to know that nobody knows where this asshole is and that he wants my woman.

I stand up from my desk and wander out the office door into the front part of the office where Daisy’s desk is. She’s not there yet but I sit down at her desk and run my hands along the wood. Her computer glasses are sitting there like she’s just stepped out for a minute. Her calendar and pencil holder are just so. She never has a hair out of place. She keeps everything strictly under control and considering how her life has been, I’m not surprised. She wants control in something. Anything. She needs it to try and maintain the balance in her life.

I lean back in her chair. There’s still an hour or so until she gets in and I revel in sitting in this place where she spends her days. I close my eyes and I can see her sitting in this seat, smiling when someone stops to say hi. Frowning with her dainty little pink tongue sticking out when something’s not going right with the computer programs. I can see her, I can almost smell the soft scent that she wears, the delicate spicy floral lingering in the air like she’s still there.

My dick tightens in my pants and I groan, shifting on the chair. I know she thinks that she doesn’t need me. Or any man really. But it’s not just need that makes me want her. I want to take care of her, make sure she eats right, that she’s happy, that she has every damn tiny little thing that she could possibly want.

I want to polish her life and make it perfect for her, everything that she needs or wants, I want to give her.

Surely that’s not such a terrible thing. And hopefully, if she realizes it, she’ll forgive me for being an asshole.

I call down to the parking garage. “Hey, Henry. Is everything ready? Is the car next to the elevator where I asked it to be moved this morning?”

“Yes, sir. Everything is ready and I’ve made sure that there’s no one in there that doesn’t need to be. As soon as you call, I’ll make sure that there is no one at all in that section.”

“Good, good. Thank you.”

“No problem, sir. Whatever you need. Miss Stephens is a very nice lady. I don’t like that she’s so worried.”

You and me both. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

“Yes, sir.”

I hang up the phone and take a deep breath, staring at the wall. “You have to do this. You have to keep her safe.”

I know it. But I also know that Daisy may kill me. I’m taking her choices away from her and it hurts my heart to do it. I want to see her fly free, just holding her lightly to keep her safe. But if I have to hold onto her stronger to keep her from harm, I’ll damn sure do it and I’ll apologize and grovel for her forgiveness later.

Because nothing on god’s green earth is as important to me as keeping her safe from harm.

Although kidnapping her might get me killed when she figures out what’s going on, it’s a risk I have to take.

I sit in her chair and wait, my heart pounding, knowing that whatever happens, I won’t be able to take back what I’m about to do.

I pick up today’s newspaper from my desk and check my horoscope. Daisy likes to check them every day and I find it amusing to watch her eyes sparkle at something I consider silly.

But there’s nothing silly about Gemini’s horoscope today. I draw in a startled breath.

“Oh shit,” I breathe.You will make a decision today that can affect the rest of your life. Venus in retrograde is bound to affect your love life. Be careful with hasty decisions. You may live to regret it.

ChapterSeven

DAISY

“Morning, Henry.” The young man smiles and picks up the phone, waving to me.

My brow furrows. He usually comes up to talk to me. He’s still smiling and waving but it just feels like something is off.

“That’s weird,” I mutter to myself. I step inside the elevator and hit the button for the top floor where Dexter’s office is.

The door opens and I stare around the office. Usually at this time of the morning, there’s someone standing around, waiting to talk to him or there’s at least a phone ringing. There’s nothing. No sound at all. Like the whole floor is waiting with bated breath for something to happen.

I squawk and jump when Dexter comes out of his office.

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