Page 46 of Kept

He rolls his eyes. “We’re not in school, Ryder. I’m not about to pull her pigtails on the fucking playground. Besides, it’s none of your business.”

I settle down into the chair opposite his desk, pushing my feet against the ground so it swirls from side to side. “Just curious, is all. Enzo likes her too.”

He frowns. “We need to watch him with her.”

Folding my arms, I glance at him coyly. “I’m not worried about himhurtingher.”

Well. Only a tiny bit.

A dull flush colors his cheekbones. “Then what exactly are you worried about?” he asks irritably. “Why are you here?”

I frown. I’m not entirely sure.

Except the idea of Maverick or Enzo laying some sort of claim to the girl upstairs… I’m not sure I like it.

“She’s innocent,” I force out around the sudden dryness in my throat. “That’s all. We can’t overwhelm her.”

Maverick scowls. “I’m aware of that. It’s not me who needs the warning, Ryder. I’ll speak to Enzo.”

“Are you?” I challenge, holding up my fingers and pressing them together. “Because you werethisclose to dragging her onto your lap earlier. And as much as I appreciate your masterful ways, I’m not sure she’s ready for it.”

Maverick’s patience snaps. Getting up, he moves to the door and holds it open. “We’re done here.”

Standing, I pause in front of him, suddenly uncertain. Maverick’s been a constant in my life for ten years. I don’t want us to fall out over this.

Swallowing, I try to articulate the weird feelings inside my chest. “Look… if you want her, Maverick, and she wants you, then go for it. Same with Enzo. Just take it easy, that’s all I’m saying.”

He looks confused. Hell, so am I. “And you?”

Shaking my head, I slide past him.

“I’m not for her.” My words are abrupt as I head down the hall.

But that little truth doesn’t stop thoughts of her from invading my brain as I move outside and into the trees, breathing in the familiar scents. The small forest on our grounds is perfect for testing my movements. Forests are noisy places. Insects, birds, branches, twigs - endless opportunities to reveal your presence.

If you can move silently through a forest, blend in with the natural sounds, then anywhere else becomes ridiculously simple.

The perfect exercise for a thief. And a good way to empty thoughts from your mind until your sole focus is the world around you.

Losing myself in the forest, I push away any thoughts of the girl we stole from a warehouse.

As I lift my foot to cross over a broken branch, a noise filters through that doesn’t fit. Pausing, I lift my head and listen.

I hear her well before I see her. Excited, almost harsh feminine breathing, the snap of twigs under her feet, the scattering of rocks and bending of branches. Her feet smack into the ground as if she’s running.

The forest silences, aware of the intruder in its midst.

My head turns in her direction.

She’s running.

From us?

Absolutely fucking not.

I might not be able to have her, but I’m not about to let her go, either. Besides, she made a promise to Maverick to stay safely inside, and our little princess has clearly forgotten. I’m more than happy to remind her.

It’s easy enough to make my way through the forest and wait as Zella crashes towards me. She’s completely unaware of my presence as she pelts past where I’m standing, but the view throws me off balance, my mouth drying. Swiping a hand over my face, I lean out to watch as she darts ahead. Her skin shimmers, moonlight crossed with gold.

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