Page 65 of Vicious Impulses (The Capo and Ballerina)
Nevaeh is easy to become obsessed with. Something I learned when I began dreaming of her, but it’s on an infinitely higher level in the flesh.
The girl has got me in good moods. She’s got me smiling and hugging up on her.
Some men would say I’m pussy-whipped.
But… fuck… I can’t stop even if she’s a distraction. Even if a whole fucking mafia war’s about to start over the possession of her.
I’m a man on his deathbed and having Nevaeh is my dying wish.
“Cael, we should go somewhere,” she says once I’m through kissing on her. She’s still planted in my lap, toying with one of the buttons on my shirt. “It’s been a month since I’ve been here.”
So womendofind it romantic…
“Where would you want to go, Nevi?”
She thinks a moment. “The theater?”
“Nevi,” I scold. “You’re not returning to your dance company.”
“Not to return myself. Just to see a performance. I’d like to watch a show.”
The innocent hope in her voice does me in. My hand glides up the subtle curve of her hip and I give a nod. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
The answer’s good enough for her. She initiates our next kiss, brushing her lips to mine.
Temptation rises up inside me to turn it into more. My aggressive tendencies push for me to take her, claim her, make her mine yet again.
I’m half a second from listening.
An acute stab of pain strikes first. I tense up, a grunt rumbling out of me. Any other ability to speak is lost. I’m only able to clench my fists and pant for air. The pain is that immediate and blinding.
Realization dawns in Nevaeh’s eyes and she screams for help. “MS. P! UMBERTO! SOMEONE!”
My vision’s narrowing through a black tunnel. More grunt noises leave me as the pain becomes too much and consciousness is an effort I can’t keep up with. My heart’s swelling inside my chest ’til I’m certain it’ll burst. I’ll die.
“HELP!” Nevaeh screams.
I groan and slip away, off to my dreams.
Maybe for good.
TWENTY
Nevaeh
Caelian loses consciousnessand he doesn’t wake up. I’m banished from his bedroom as a team of doctors turn up and shut me out.
Ms. Poitier puts a comforting arm around my shoulders and tells me it’ll be okay. I’m far from convinced.
“Let’s get you some tea downstairs. It’s better than pacing the hall outside his room.”
I shrug off her touch. “Who were those doctors? Where did they come from?”
“Nevaeh dear, those are doctors that Caelian’s been working with.”
“I’ve never seen them before. Where’s Dr. Tulio, his primary physician?”
“You have to calm down,” Ms. Poitier says. “Being hysterical’s not going to do anything good for anybody. Most of all yourself.”