Page 45 of Spark

“Thanks,” I said with a small smile, unraveling the pink wraps around my hands. “I’m going to go clean up. I’ll see you later.”

After being escorted back to my suite, I took a long, hot shower to calm my nerves. What if I told Darren I was ready to leave, and he decided I’d stay on the island anyway? What if he never let me leave the island? I doubted it. Being out here had to make things more difficult for him to manage his organization. Returning home for good would make this easier for him, right? I just hoped Holly would be free and clear to leave, even with all of her digging. I thought I did a pretty good job at quashing it, and I hoped it stayed that way.

When I was done with my shower, I dolled myself up, knowing what I was likely to do later. I chose a white strapless layered sundress and added a little curl to my hair. I even threw on a little makeup and some perfume. In my strappy silvery-gold sandals, I paced the room, my arms folded over my chest as I contemplated how soon we might leave the island once I told him I was ready. I also wondered what kind of world I’d come back to. Would things be even more strict than they already were? Would there be new rules? Would I have to wear my cuffs again? Darren had said he had a new curriculum for me, and I feared what it might be.

Once we left the island, I’d likely be entering a whole new world compared to the one I ran from. And I was sure it was going to be far worse than my island treatment considering I’d have better access to certain resources on the mainland that I didn’t have on the island. Darren couldn’t afford to give me a single centimeter to gain an opportunity to try to overthrow him. It was all about control with him, so I could kiss whatever “freedoms” I’d had before goodbye.

Fuck. This was going to suck.

Eventually, I was finally escorted to the dining room where I waited for Darren to arrive. My heart fluttered while I wiped my sweaty palms against my legs. I didn’t know why I was so nervous, especially since I was sure Scott had informed Darren what he probably already knew. After a few minutes, I notice Hank turn his head as if he were listening to something in his earpiece.

Goddammit.

“I’m sorry, Miss Jaden. Mr. Davis will not be able to join you tonight. He is being held up.”

I clenched my teeth in aggravation. I fucking knew this was going to happen.

“Could you at least get a message to him that I need to speak with him the moment His Majesty is available?” I growled in irritation.

“I will let him know,” Hank said with a nod.

“Thank you.”

After finishing my dinner alone, I was escorted back to my suite where I paced back and forth for the next several hours, waiting for Darren. I had no fucking clue how long it would take or if I would even get to see him today.

“Miss Jaden, I don’t know when Mr. Davis will be available to see you. Perhaps, you can find something better to do with your time besides pacing back and forth.”

“Shut up, Hank,” I said, chewing on my knuckles as I ignored him, continuing my pacing anyway.

He scoffed and sat back in his chair, obviously more comfortable than I was.

Finally, after another hour of pacing, the door opened and in strolled Darren. My heart skipped a beat as I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost midnight. Darren eyed me for a moment before he addressed my guards.

“Out,” he said to them, and they immediately took their leave. Darren shut the door behind them before turning to me. I felt oddly on display while his eyes traveled up and down my body. I was still wearing the same dress and sandals, makeup and hair done even though I should probably have been in bed by now.

“I understand you wanted to see me,” he said, a frown line on his face as he took a few steps toward me.

I cleared my throat and squared my shoulders. “Yes, I did.”

He looked at me expectedly, waiting for me to go on. I blew a piece of stray hair out of my face and continued.

“First, I wanted to thank you for Thanksgiving dinner. That was thoughtful of you, and I’m grateful that you allowed Holly to be a part of it.”

Darren nodded, knowing full well the second reason he was here was much better than the first. “You’re welcome,” he said, his eyes narrowing in on me.

“And I also wanted to let you know,” I began again, my heart suddenly beating out of control. “That… I think I’m ready to leave the island.” There, I said it.

Darren’s head turned to the side a bit as he raised his brow, regarding me carefully. The intensity of his eyes had my nerves quaking and my body heating up.

“You think?” he asked, his arms crossing over his chest.

“I am,” I said more confidently.

“Are you sure?” he asked, all too cocky. Fuck, he was so close now; I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

“Yes,” I said, almost glaring back at him to compete with the intensity of his gaze.

With one final step, Darren closed the distance between us and slowly brought his hand to caress my cheek. He gently tucked my hair behind my ear before sliding his index finger under my chin to lift my face up.

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