Page 80 of Vicious Impulses (The Capo and Ballerina)
“But I think you would be. I know Nevaeh and her family well. They’ve eaten at my table. They’ve been in my home. I’ve been front row at her performances. She’s danced for me many times. You might even say… she’s like a daughter to me.” His smirk returns as he gains the upper hand of the moment. “She and her family have helped me with this undertaking of making Zinc Co. mine. They’ve been some of my biggest assets. She was specially trained for reconnaissance and holds the key we need for the finishing touches of our take over. Perfect that she’s been in your home all along. Hasn’t she ever told you? The little innocent ballerina of your dreams isn’t so innocent after all.”
TWENTY-FIVE
Nevaeh
The front doorslams so hard, I can hear it from the second floor. I get up from where I’m seated watching a movie and creep over to peek into the hall. Heavy footsteps pound the floors followed by distant calls from Ms. Poitier.
What is going on?!
I have my answer in the next moment.
Caelian emerges onto the second floor landing with his features twisted in fury. He’s never resembled a wolf more—his cold gray eyes tense and focused. His teeth bared and jaw chiseled into a sharp line of tension.
He’s heading straight for me.
My stomach hardens with ice-cold dread.
Time seems to slow down.
I can’t move. I’m frozen as Caelian closes in on me. Six feet, five inches of towering muscle barrels toward me, and the only thing I can do is watch it happen.
Once we’re within arm’s reach of each other, I choke out his name. “Caelian, what—?”
“No questions,” he growls. His thick fingers snap shut on my wrist and jerk me into the bedroom.
The door slams behind us. He releases his hold on me too suddenly. I stumble a couple steps off balance, so lost as to what’s going on, I’m questioning my recollection of events.
What have I missed? Why has Caelian been in such a horrible mood? Why has he graduated from sulking in silence to what’s unmistakable rage?
“Let’s get one thing straight, Nevaeh,” he says, his Italian accent thicker than ever. He advances toward me while I scramble to put more space between us. “You don’t speak unless I speak to you. I’m the one that asks the questions—and when I do, you’ll fucking answer. You’ll tell me the truth.”
“Caelian—”
“What did I just say?” he yells, cutting me off. He jabs a finger into his rock-hard chest. “I’m in control! You’ll do as I say!”
I bite back any rebuttal forming. My ice-cold dread has gone nowhere.
The wolfish gleam in his eyes leaves no question of how infuriated he is. It’s an energy that poisons the entire room to the point it’s inescapable. So visceral, I’m left feeling like I’m being crushed by the weight of it.
“What have you been keeping from me?” he asks.
“I haven’t kept—”
“Wrong answer!” he barks. I flinch. He steps closer, blocking any exit. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Nevaeh. This is your chance to be honest. Tell me what the fuck you’ve been keeping from me.”
The icy dread intensifies until I’m numb altogether. I blink up at him, my heart pounding faster. “Caelian, I’ve told you about myself. You knew most of what I’ve told you. Isn’t that why you sought me out?”
He flashes his gritted teeth like a wolf about to feast. “So you’re going lie to my fucking face.”
“Caelian—CAELIAN!”
My scream rings in the air as I’m ripped off my feet. Caelian’s bulging arms clench shut around my body and my head snaps back and forth from the sudden aggressive moment. I’m jerked, then flipped upside down, then turned over and pinned down onto my stomach.
OverCaelian’s knee.
I realize what’s about to happen a second too late.
“Caelian, let me—OW!”