Page 79 of Kept

For her.

28 - Zella

“Yourclotheshavearrived.”

I glance up at Maverick’s words. He’s been quiet through dinner, almost distant, but his words send a thrill of excitement through my stomach. “They have?”

I’d almost forgotten, but I’m tired of wearing these dresses. And as much as I enjoy wearing a combination of the guy’s clothes, it’ll be nice to have something of my own to wear.

He smiles, but it’s distant. “They have. I’ll bring them to your room after dinner, and you can try them on.”

Trying to hide my frown, I nod and stare back down at my plate.

I wish Ryder was here, but he’s out this evening, working.

My throat tightens. He promised there was nothing for me to worry about, but how can I not?

I sneak a glance at Maverick, but he’s staring out of the window, his lips pursed.

“Maverick?” His name slips out almost before I’m ready, and he glances at me. His eyes seem especially pale today, much paler than the color I gave them when I was sketching this afternoon. I’ve nearly worked my way through the pens Enzo bought already.

“Yes, Zella?” he prompts, and I focus.

“Sorry.” I can’t meet his eyes, so I stare down at my plate again, my emotions churning in my chest.

It’s been a few days since Ryder told me about his story, and the unfairness of it has burrowed into my chest. On top of that, Enzo has disappeared, not coming to meals, and Maverick has been cooler too.

“Zella,” he says my name again, and this time, he’s completely focused on me when I look up hesitantly. “What’s wrong?”

“You can’t let Ryder do that any more,” I blurt out. As soon as I say it, I want to kick myself. But the anger simmering inside me isn’t going away.

“I’m sorry?” He looks confused, but I plough on.

“Please,” I ask quietly. “Don’t make him… have sex. For work, I mean. Surely there must be other ways?”

When I dare to look up, Maverick is frozen. His throat flexes as he swallows.

“Ryder told you that I make him… have sex? For his work?”

He sounds horrified, and a flicker of doubt appears in my chest. “You don’t?”

“Zella.” Maverick gets up, moving over to me. I flinch, but he kneels in front of me, turning my chair around. His finger lifts up my chin.

“Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?” he asks softly. My nod is hesitant, and he sighs.

“Ryder,” he says, and it’s almost a groan. “Sweetheart, I swear to you that I do not ask Ryder to have sex as part of his work. He’s always seen it as something he’s good at, something he can do, so he’s done it – even when I have begged him not to.”

My mouth rounds. “O-oh.”

Maverick surveys me, and I shrink back, embarrassment heating my insides. He looks… tired.

This is why I shouldn’t get involved.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m really sorry, Maverick. He told me about his background, and I just thought…”

“I can imagine,” he says heavily. “Self-flagellation is one of his many talents. I promise you, Zella, it’s not something he has to do. I would never force either of them to do something they didn’t want to do. Ryder has always believed he doesn’t have anything else worth giving, and he is wrong.”

I nod. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

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