Page 66 of A Pawn in the Game
My heart skips a beat. “You’re back.”
He smirks. “I heard you worked out.”
“Yeah. Just a few exercises, though. I’ve gotten out of shape since I’ve been here.”
Something flashes in his eyes. Something like regret. He drags both armchairs to the small table and drops into one. It’s then Inotice two coffee cups sitting on it. Once again, my heartbeat picks up and I get my ass into the chair across from him.
Oat milk, says my cup, making me smile.
“You’ve been working out for long?” he asks, as the first sip of coffee hits my taste buds. Just like the one that Nina brought, it’s amazing.
“A little under a year.” I lick the foam from my lips and his eyes catch the movement. “It’s the only exercise regime that worked for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have a hard time motivating myself for simple things.” I drop my gaze to the side. “Like eating, or working out, or getting out of the house.”
When I dare look up, I notice how his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “Do you have someone in your life? Someone you talk to?”
“I do. My cousin Alex. She’s also my best friend. We talk pretty much every day. Even though she currently lives in Vegas.” My lips turn up of their own accord.
“She sounds great.”
“She can be overbearing at times, but I get it. Considering my history, it makes sense that she feels the need to check on me.” I feel vulnerable, exposing things about myself, but I can hardly help it. Something about him makes me want to open up.
I lied when I said I only wanted relief from nightmares last night. I wanted to feel him next to me. On me. In me. It’s another thing that’s not typical for me. I was never really relaxed enough to want to have sex. The few times I did, it was more of an experiment, trying out something that a healthy adult should do. But last night, it was all I could think about.
I lied because telling the truth would make no sense. He’d get paranoid I’ll fall in love with him. His guilt would consume him, knowing he’s keeping me here. Meaning some distance needs to be put between us. Because as much as he wants to protect me, I want to protect him, too.
And I’m guessing developing a romantic relationship with the girl he has in captivity wouldn’t work out for anyone.
His uncle’s men are obviously dangerous, and he already has a target on his back after killing the bastard who attacked me. I still want to leave, but I can’t let him save me. No, I need to work on that myself.
Taking a sip of coffee, he places the cup in front of him, and I suggest the only thing I can think of. “Chess?”
His lips turn up in a smile that looks almost boyish, and my chest flutters. The newly developed will to live is a great motivator, but these confusing emotions will likely be a detriment for my thinking processes. I’ll need to get a handle on them.
CHAPTER 34
Luka
Sophie seems distracted as we play but she’s not half as distracted as I am. I’m sneaking glances at her, marveling at the girl in front of me.
Her nose scrunches as she tries to concentrate, and she looks adorable. I resist the urge to shake my head, thinking about how wrong I’ve judged her. I thought of her as boring. Insignificant. All the while, she was fighting her demons day after day.
She’s absolutely incredible. To go through what she did and come out in one piece. To fight through the nightmares and the pain and the scars that her memories inflicted upon her.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” she says, glancing up at me.
“You had nothing to do with it.”
“Regardless. Seems like you were close.”
My throat starts to constrict so I clear it. “Yeah, we were. He was an amazing father.” And I fucking miss him.
“And your mom? Are you close?”
“She died giving birth to me.”What’s that stuck in my throat?
