Page 74 of Vicious Impulses (The Capo and Ballerina)
She trails her hand down my broad chest. She stops where she can feel my twitchy heartbeat. A serene expression has come to her face. “We do. I’m really glad you’re okay, Cael. That you’ve recovered.”
My latest episode still seems to linger on her mind. She’s brought it up several times even as days have gone by.
I snuggle her closer and say, “I couldn’t go out without having you a few more times. Or taking you to the ballet like you wanted. Though the shootout wasn’t part of the plan.”
“I had a great time anyway.”
“Good. I’ll always have the memory of you doing a somersault kick.”
She lets out a light laugh. “I guess my dance training has come in handy.”
We drift off over a period of time. Nevaeh first, before I follow. I get up only to use the restroom and take the nighttime dose of my medication. I’m out within minutes.
Hours of dreamless sleep pass.
I’m pulled from my deep slumber in a heavy-lidded blink in the dark. There’s a bright blue light coming from the crack in the bathroom door. I recognize what kind of light it is as I sit up and notice the empty spot next to me in the bed.
ThenI notice my phone’s no longer charging on my nightstand.
I pad over toward the crack in the door, peering through for a look inside.
Nevaeh’s huddled over the closed lid of the toilet, her face illuminated by the white-blue light of my phone. Her fingers tap away at what must be a text message.
My eyes narrow watching her. The twitchiness of my heartbeat reflects the suspicion that’s poisoning me.
What is my ballerina up to?
TWENTY-THREE
Nevaeh
Over the next few days,we’re snowed in. The woods surrounding Caelian’s estate resemble a winter wonderland. Inches of snow cover the once green terrain, crowning treetops and forming mountains on what was once a flat surface.
If not for the roaring fires in every room and the added heat blasting from the vents, I’d be shivering cold.
Memories of winters spent cramped in my dorm room come back to me. The heat rarely worked and any time the dancers complained, Ignazio told us to shut up and be grateful our situations weren’t worse. By worse he likely meant outright sold in the flesh trade like what happened to most people involved.
Still, while conditions weren’t the best, I had grown used to life with the dance company.
It was the evil I knew. The kind I had experienced most of my life.
My new situation with Caelian still confuses me. I’ve developed real affection for him while hating the circumstance that has brought us together. In such a short time, we’ve already been through so much. How can I move on from that like it was nothing?
“Come away from that window, Nevaeh dear. I’m about to decorate.”
Ms. Poitier’s invitation pulls me from my daydreaming. I aim a meek smile at her and then follow her out of the bedroom.
This morning’s chillier than usual. Even for the snowstorm we’ve found ourselves in.
“Mr. C will be busy with other affairs today,” Ms. Poitier says as we walk the long hall. “I thought we could spend time decorating like you asked the other day. It’ll be the first time we’ve bothered for Christmas.”
“What do you normally do?”
Ms. Poitier scoffs with a raise of her brows. “Nothing, Nevaeh. We do nothing. You think Mr. C’s really the type to decorate his home? Does he seem festive to you?”
“But he’s decorating now.”
“He’s approved it. Yes.”