Page 3 of Kept 4
“Hang on. I thought you were on a yacht? Nicholas said Gerald hadn’t been answering his calls because he had no reception on board.”
“We were,” she says, shrugging, “but then he said he wanted to come closer to Ereston, so,” she shrugs, “we moved.”
“When exactly?” I frown.
“I don’t know, probably start of Autumn, I guess. I needed a whole new wardrobe, because, you know, I’d only bought summer wear before that.”
I turn to her, my blood suddenly freezing. This was around the same time I came to Ereston, from Sicily. A strange coincidence, if that is what it is.
“Margarita,” I turn and put down the wooden spoon, put my hands on her shoulders, urging her to look into my eyes. “Be serious. If you could get away from this vampire. If you could come with me tomorrow, start afresh, would you?”
She frowns. I can almost see her brain whirring around inside her head as she tries to concentrate, but just then a harsh bark rings out across the kitchen, scaring the hell out of both of us.
“Margarita!”
We spin to see Gerald, his face thunderous, standing in the doorway.
“Jerry?” she smiles nervously.
“Leave us.”
Nodding, she takes off her apron, folds it neatly, places it on the bench and, not looking at me, brushes past him and out the door.
I paste on a brittle smile and stare at him as he enters the room, closing the door quietly behind him and locking it, before spinning back to me, his eyes deadly.
“Can I help you, Gerald?” I know my voice is a little unsteady, but I’m trying to control my fear.
“I understand you don’t wish to be here,” he drawls, walking slowly towards where I stand in front of the oven.
“What gave you that idea?”
“Don’t play games with me, cook,” he spits the last word, “Nicholas tells me you do not wish to be Kept. It will be healthier for you if you leave sooner rather than later. There are some who find your influence upon his emotions, unwelcome.”
“You?”
He says nothing, just stares at me, and I take a deep breath before turning back to stir the chicken and clams. He is standing so close to me; I can feel his breath on my neck.
“I’ll leave when my plans are in order,” I say quietly.
“Surely it is wise for you to leave now, before Elsbeth tries to take your life again, and succeeds,” he whispers.
I frown, keeping my eyes firmly on the pot.
“Nicholas is going to kill her,” I murmur, “so, I don’t need to worry about that.”
He hisses and grabs my arm, and I yelp and look up at him as his strong fingers dig into my forearm.
“That is not going to happen,” he mutters angrily, staring into my eyes. “Nicholas belongs to her, has always belonged to her, and she is under my protection.”
Suddenly, the door smashes open, the lock kicked in by a powerful foot, as Nicholas strides into the room.
“What’s going on, Gerald?” he looks from his friend to me, and back again, his fangs bared. I realise he must have felt my fear and come looking for me.
“Nothing, old boy,” Gerald laughs, stepping back from me, “I merely wished to offer Josephine my aid, my protection, should she desire to come and stay with Margarita and I when we leave tomorrow night.”
“Is that something you would like to do?” Nicholas frowns, turning to look squarely at me.
I shake my head and widen my eyes, but the words that come out of my mouth are completely the opposite of what I want to do. If he can sense my feelings, then right now, he should know I’m scared and horrified at the idea of being anywhere near this bastard.
