Page 41 of Kept

Doesn’t matter, a voice whispers.She’s here now.

And most of all, I want to know how she looks pinned beneath me, her head thrown back in ecstasy as my cock sinks into her.

The battle rages on inside my head as I nudge her glass towards her. “Drink.”

Her throat looks so delicate as it flexes, swallowing down a gulp of wine.

Ryder taps his fingers on the table, and I tear my eyes away to look at him. His head is tilted towards me, but he’s watching her. Enzo, too. I’m amazed he even showed up to this dinner, but maybe I shouldn’t be.

I would have showed up for her, too.

I continue feeding her until she shakes her head, a small, protesting sound coming from her throat. “You need to eat too. I think I’m full.”

I scowl down at the plate. She’s barely eaten a third.

That’s going to change, but I’ll let it go for tonight.

Ignoring my own plate, I settle back in my chair. Zella shifts, her fingers clutching her glass like it’s her own personal comfort blanket. Her braid trails over the back of the tall chair, pooling onto the floor in a messy rope.

My hands ache to touch it, to unravel it and see the full glorious length, but I hold myself back.

I need to control myself.

Enzo has no such compunction. Standing up, he makes his way around the table and throws himself into the seat next to Zella, his hand whipping out to wrap around the back of her neck.

Ryder and I stiffen. Leaning forward, I’m about to rip into him when I see Zella relax, tension leaking out of her body as she leans back into his touch.

He gives me a knowing smirk, but his fingers move, rubbing her neck as she nestles back with a quiet sigh.

She wouldn’t look so relaxed if she knew how easily he could snap it.

Forcing myself to look away, I drum my fingers on the table. “So.”

Three sets of eyes focus on me.

“Zella.” I allow myself to focus on her completely. “What are we going to do with you?”

Zella shifts as if to lean forward, but Enzo keeps her exactly where she is, his fingers squeezing in light warning. A little huff slips out, but she stays still. Her mouth opens, and then closes again.

“I don’t know,” she responds finally. There’s a little shake in her face as her eyes stare down at the table. “I don’t exactly have a plan here.”

The touch of sass in her voice lifts the edges of my lips, but I straighten them, leaning forward. “You have no family? Friends?”

She looks at me, all eyes and hair. “I don’t have anyone.”

Her voice is even now, even as sadness bleeds into the air.

Enzo growls, but he stops when I glare at him. I can’t work out exactly where his head’s at, so he doesn’t get a fucking say in this.

Ryder smiles languidly. “Not entirely true, princess.”

He waves a hand around the table towards us, and I frown.

She’s already gotten under our defenses. Invading our space. And if she stays, then it’ll only get worse.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to let her go.

“We can give you money,” I bite. The words feel like they burn on my tongue, and she pales.

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