Page 96 of Spark

“Why? Because it’s considered girly?”

“Yeah, so? It looks nice.”

“Women are not defined by a single color, you know,” I said as I set the box down on the coffee table in front of me.

“Yeah, yeah, stop arguing,” he said as he reached over and handed me another gift.

I spent the next hour opening presents from him. He’d gotten me lots of jewelry, even though I probably wouldn’t wear any of it unless requested. I didn’t even know where I would wear half the shit he got me. He’d gotten me clothes I could take back to the estate—some new dresses, some fancy, some casual—but the best part were the little black, pink, and white spandex shorts for my workouts. Finally, something useful. I fucking hated those stupid-ass skorts. He also got me a new pair of Nikes, since mine were beginning to wear already, and the weight gloves he promised me a few weeks ago.

Darren surprised me when he said Scott had a gift for me. It was a colorful hacky sack, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Ha! Now, this brings back memories,” I said with a genuine smile.

I used to play hacky sack with some guy friends during my undergraduate days while we waited for class to start. They were impressed I could kick the sack at weird angles they couldn’t even comprehend. That was where I was able to improve my scorpion kick. I planned to spend a lot of time with this little gift.

When all was said and done, I thought all the presents were opened, but Darren still had one hiding in the branches of the tree. This present was tiny, just fitting in the palm of my hand. I pulled the wrapping away to find a small ring box, and I felt my stomach immediately rip apart.

Oh, God, no…

Like defusing a bomb, I pulled the lid to the box back and breathed a slight sigh of relief when I saw it was only my old Tiffany’s infinity ring that Darren had given me months ago. I’d been wearing it when I’d escaped but woke up without it on the island. I hadn’t even wondered what happened to it, too happy it was off my finger. And now, it was back.

I stared at the ring until Darren finally got up to sit next to me, pulled the ring out of the box, and placed it on my left hand. He then kissed me on the temple.

“Back where it belongs,” he said, but there was no mistaking the warning in his tone. “Just like you.”

I gulped back the sickness in my stomach. The joy was so real…

“I didn’t get you anything,” I said, hoping to change the subject.

“Oh, but you did,” Darren said, that shark grin reappearing again. “And I’m going to love it.”

Fantastic.

“I’m sure you will,” I said carefully.

“Now,” he said, slapping my knee playfully and getting up. “There’s just one gift left.”

“Still?” I asked him as he walked out of the room and down one of the halls. I couldn’t believe he still had more bullshit to give me. As if I didn’t have enough.

A few moments later, he came back holding a large box that looked like a wrapped present in his arms and sat down on the couch, placing the box in front of me. I moved closer to examine the box when it suddenly moved on its own. I immediately pulled myself back.

“Why is it moving?” I asked, looking at Darren who seemed perfectly pleased with himself.

“Just open it,” he urged.

Just then, I heard a muffled little yelp come from the box. Was that a bark? Gripping the lid of the box, I cautiously pulled it up and leaned forward to look inside. My heart instantly swelled, and my eyes grew wide with unabashed excitement and then immediate confusion.

“You got me a puppy?”

35

Guard Dog

* * *

I had to admit Jaden’s tone of voice was not what I initially expected. I’d expected immediate swoon and giddiness, but I should have learned never to expect the expected with her. She was definitely excited, but she was so reserved now; she never fully gave in to all her emotions unless it was anger and directed at me. It was difficult for her to give into happiness and excitement, and I understood this, but… come on! This was a fucking puppy! Girls were supposed to love puppies.

“You said you were lonely,” I answered. “I hope this is a satisfying compromise.”

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