Page 76 of The Villain
“Soldiers? You’re not coming?” I ask, suddenly worried that he won’t be there which is ridiculous. Cassian is my enemy. I keep forgetting that. Why do I keep forgetting?
“Don’t tell me you’ll miss me, Little Moth.”
“No. I just don’t know them.”
He studies me. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.”
“It’s not that,” I start, heat flushing through me, my underarms suddenly damp. “I’m not scared,” I say, but it’s not wholly truth. After the kidnapping, the murder of my mother, my father rarely gave me permission to go out, which was fine by me. I’d have anxiety just thinking about being out there where someone could take me. At home, I was safe. Or at least I wouldn’t be hurt anymore. It’s embarrassing and weak, but I have these moments of panic. I have had them for five years now. I can usually manage them, but this is a surprise. I don’t like crowds. Idon’t like to be anywhere where someone might get to me.
He steps closer, taking my hand. He sets his finger over the stub of mine. With his free hand he tilts my chin so I’m looking up at him. I search his eyes, unsure what I’m looking for, feeling things I don’t understand.
“No one is going to hurt you, Allegra. You’re under my protection now.”
He can’t really promise that and I think we both know it.
“You need to buy a dress. I’ll let Elenora know.”
“Elenora?”
“The boutique owner. She’ll close the shop while you’re there. The dinner is formal. Buy something expensive. Red, I think. And whatever else you want.” He waves his hand around like it’s nothing. I never thought about money when I was growing up, but since dad’s death, it’s definitely a thing. “You can have your hair and makeup done too. Whatever you want.”
“What’s wrong with my hair and makeup?”
“Nothing. Just if you wanted to. They’ll put it all on my account. You can go exactly as you are. You know you’re beautiful.”
I raise my eyebrows. Was that a compliment? “I’d like to go to the beach. I haven’t been in a while.”
“I’ll take you later. We don’t have time today. Be ready by seven,” he says. We hear the doorbell ring through the closed door. “Okay?” he asks me, releasing me to pull on his holster and jacket.
I shrug a shoulder as if it’s nothing. “Go.” I walk overto the side table where a menu sits beside the phone. “I’ll get lunch.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I open the menu, but don’t read it, instead, I wait until he’s gone. He leaves the bedroom door open, and I can see him giving instructions to two soldiers. Enzo is standing by the door, ever present.
When Cassian glances back at me, he catches me watching so I clear my throat, pick up the receiver and push the button for room service. I place an order for pancakes. Breakfast for lunch is good. He’s gone by the time I hang up the phone, only the two soldiers left with me now, so I close the bedroom door and plop down on the bed, undoing my braids. From inside my backpack, I take out a wide-tooth comb and watch my reflection in the mirror on the wall across the room. The braids leave my hair in thick waves. I look at my face and there’s a part of me that wonders what he sees in me. Why he wants me.
Why I want him to want me.
You’re the only woman I’ve thought about since that night.
“Don’t be stupid,” I tell myself, dropping my comb back into the backpack and taking the makeup bag into the bathroom to wash my face and put on a little makeup while I wait for room service.
I think about what he said. About wanting people to know I’m his. To smell him on me. You can’t smell that can you? I sniff at myself, but feel stupid to do it. Of course you can’t smell it.
By the time I’ve applied minimal makeup, my food isdelivered. I ask them to pull the cart into the bedroom because it feels weird to eat while two soldiers stand watching. I eat the pancakes mostly to kill time and when I can’t put it off any longer, I go into the living room.
“Are you ready?” one of the soldiers asks.
I nod and they open the door. One goes ahead to call the elevator and I watch the nearly empty beach as we descend.
Once down where the shops and restaurants are, things are lively, but not overwhelming. The interiors of the shops are brightly lit, and people are having fun and when I spot a toy store that makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland, I decide to pick something up for Daniel. Cassian did say whatever I wanted so why not?
The woman behind the counter greets me, noting the two men standing at the entrance. I ask about the train set in the window. It’s nice, very nice, and when I tell her I’ll take it and to put it on Cassian’s account, she almost salivates. She hurries to pack it up and I understand why when I get a peek at the price tag.
“I’ll have it sent up to Mr. Trevino’s room,” she says.
“Thank you.”
