Page 100 of Rome: The Ballerina

Saint reached over, pulling me into his side. He dug his fingers into the seat pocket and grabbed a pack of wipes. He removed one and pressed the top back down. Slowly, he wiped my cheek, lips, and chin.

My body temperature spiked from embarrassment. I tried freeing my limbs and putting unwanted space between us. Saint’s grip around me tightened. He wasn’t willing to let go of me. I didn’t want him to.

“I couldn’t get back to work after you told me you weren’t feeling well. I’m an athlete who pushes myself beyond the limits, too. It’s not always best, but it feels good. Really fucking good. But, it’s important we remember we only get one body and we must treat it well.”

He’d taken a flight to get here. He’d been on our plane. He’d watched me sleep. He’d waited me out. And, when he couldn’t take it anymore, he’d transferred me to a new vehicle.

One that August was at the wheel of. This all felt familiar. Like something out of a book I knew too well.Teddy’s book. He didn’t have to break down the logistics for me to know what happened.

“I feel better after my nap,” I admitted.

“You’ll feel even better after a quick reset.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t worry about it, love. Just lay right here,” he said, gently pressing the side of my head against his chest.

“Just lay right here.”

His heartbeat was soothing.

“They allowed you to kidnap me?”

“Only because I promised to get some electrolytes and fluids in your system by dinner time. Apparently, you have reservations with them that you can’t miss.Not even for a nigga, according to the ring leader.”

“Oh God. Youhavemet them.”

“I have.”

“How awful was it?” I sighed, prepared for the worst.

“Well– Your time didn’t come free. Aside from bargaining for yearly seasonal passes for twelve, I had to pay a hefty price.”

Roulette,I concluded without further information. She could milk a bear if she wanted. She could talk winter out of its cold if she hated it enough.

He patted his pockets, before sighing, “I think the quiet one stole my AMEX. I haven’t seen it since they filed off the plane.”

Rugger.

Chuckling, I could feel the remorse cross my features. I lifted my head, needing him to hear me clearly.

“I’m sorry. I guess I should’ve warned you about them.”

He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have mattered. Istillwouldn’t have been prepared for what I walked into. A fucking handful and there’s seven of you all. Your parents must have a lot of patience.”

“One of them. The other is the reason they are the way they are. He adored the monsters he created.”

“You’re definitely their sister, but you’re much different. The oldest– the surgeon, I think– yeah. You two are more similar than the others. And, the lawyer. I see some of you in her. A little.”

“Range.”

“Yeah, her.”

I rested my head on his chest again. It felt like a place I remembered. Maybe it was in my dreams, but it felt so real. Much like this moment.

“So that’s where we’re headed?”

“Yeah, to get you back together. You’re pushing yourself too hard too soon. You didn’t ease back into ballet. You went in guns blazing.”

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