Page 8 of Taken By the Kingpin
The windows disappear below the surface, giving the impression you could step straight out into the air and walk until you notice the lack of floor, like a Looney Tunes character. Vertigo tugs at me as I look down.
I step right to the edge, toes millimetres from the glass. My breath fogs the black and twinkling yellow lights of the city.
It’s a silly urge, but I place my palms on the window and push. In a movie I’d be able to throw myself through the glass or open it and fly away. But this is real life, so it’s perfectly immovable. My next gilded cage.
Sebastian appears next to me. In the reflection I see his bow tie is now loose around his neck and his top button is undone, revealing that dip between the collarbones.
It’s… Compelling. I wonder how it would feel to touch my thumb into the curve.
I look back at the city.
“It’s beautiful. The night skyline,” I say. Those lights represent millions of people, far away. Not even one who reallycaresabout me. At least if I was at home in my tiny flat I could chat with my new astrology friends on social media and not feel so isolated.
“Beautiful, yes.” But Sebastian’s voice is a caress, not at all like he’s admiring the night sky. “I understand why you want independence—”
“No!” I turn on him. “You don’t. You’ve always been able to do whatever you wanted. You were the heir then the head of Laurent. You had the freedom to choose. I—I had nothing to do but wait to be sold off as a bride. When I fought against that, my father just sold me quicker. Years of protective custody and education. And finally—finally—I have a job I’m good at after graduating high school. I’ll lose it if I don’t turn up for work. So, no.” My chest is heaving as I pour out my frustration. Tears threaten at the corner of my eyes. “Youdon’tunderstand. I nearly got taken by that man. I couldn’t stop you from kidnapping me. I couldn’t stop Fletcher when he came for me years ago. I thought I was safe, and I don’t want to be a helpless princess any longer.”Lost.
He’s silent.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he says eventually. His grey eyes are soft now. “I’ll teach you to defend yourself from me, or someone like me, trying to do anything you don’t want to do. And I’ll answer your questions. All of them. And in return, I want you to remain here for one day. Until Midnight tomorrow.”
One day. “But my job.”
“I’ll call in sick for you. Your boss will understand for a single day.”
“A day alone in your apartment.” What a dreary prospect. More of just me and four walls. I can never sleep on my own in a new place, so bonus I’ll be miserableandknackered.
“Not alone.” My heart jumps. “I’ll phone in sick too.”
“To who? You’re a mafia kingpin.”
“A higher authority. You perhaps.” He winks.
I can’t help but smile wryly. Sebastian is putting business on hold to kidnap me.
Me. The lost princess everyone had forgotten about.
Except maybe Sebastian didn’t? He’s looking at me like he’s trying to tattoo my image onto his retinas.
Though perhaps I’m imagining that. I’m not good at attracting sincere affection or interest. Exhibit A: my father who only used me in his power games. Exhibit B: my ex-husband. Exhibit C: my innocence.
Sebastian is the first man to touch me and that was because he waskidnappingme.
“Alright.”
Sebastian smiles wide and genuine, his eyes twinkling. As though twenty-four hours with me is a treat rather than a bind. I stare at him and remember the second when I thought Fletcher’s man would take me. The sheer bolt of terror and the quiver of helplessness. Maybe I’m naive, but I think Sebastian is genuinely trying to protect me.
“What would you like to learn first?” he asks softly.
Teach me how to kiss, I almost say.Teach me how to make you come apart at the seams. Show me how to make my body sing.
“You snatched me from behind. I want to know how to stop that happening.”
I’ll not be a victim again. Not of Sebastian, or anyone else.
4
JEANETTE
