Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,24
attitude he was telling me about. No, I’m definitely not a babysitter. Just thought you might like something to pass the time. They’re not Fifty Shades, but they should wet your whistle.”
I tilt my head in curiosity. “Sorry?”
She grins. “Some are your general everyday contemporary romances, but I did throw a real spicy one in there for you, too, but I won’t tell you which one. You’ll have to read them to find out.” She hands me the four books.
I reach out, taking them from her. “Why romance?”
She shrugs. “It’s all I had. Honestly, it’s so much fun to get swept up in a good story. Pretend the alpha hero is sweeping you off your feet.”
“You don’t look like a book nerd.”
She shrugs. “I don’t look like a lot of things. You’ve heard that saying, never judge a book by its cover. It applies to people, too, ya know?”
My eyes wander over her. She comes across as a deadbeat if I’m being honest. Or maybe a hardcore rock and roll star. But a book lover, a culinary master chef, and all-round nice person, yeah, I would never have picked it. I guess the saying is true.
“Thanks for the books. I really appreciate it. And for the great food.”
Trixie tilts her head toward the bed, and I nod. She sits, letting out an exhale. “You know, Eva, you’re a really strong woman.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You’ve been dragged into this mess. It’s beyond your control… yet, you’re handling it well, all things considered.”
Letting out a long exhale, I flop backward on the bed staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t think I’m handling it well at all.”
“How do you mean?”
There’s something about Trixie I’m instantly warming to. She’s like a friend I’ve known for years. Maybe it’s because she’s the second person I’ve seen since this all began, and I’m going stir crazy, but I feel like I can open up to her. So, I do. “I broke down last night in front of Nycto. I’m not sure why, but he comforted me, and we fell into this safe place. I ended up falling asleep in his arms for hours. I’m pretty sure he fell asleep, too. It was just so damn comfortable. I didn’t mean to lose it the way I did. I didn’t mean to seek his comfort, it just happened.”
Trixie narrows her eyes on me. “I feel like there’s a but?”
“I woke up needing the bathroom, so I unhooked myself from him. Nycto woke as I was getting up. He looked panicked. I told him I was only going to the bathroom, then he calmed down. So, I went, but when I came back, he was walking out the door. He left… without saying one word, and he hasn’t been back since. Damn, if I don’t feel like such an idiot.”
Trixie scrunches up her face. “You feel like an idiot? Why?”
“For believing we had some kind of… connection. I mean, he stole me… he’s keeping me captive here against my will… he let my sister be taken by the scum of the earth. Why the hell did I let my guard down around him? I must be going insane, right?”
Trixie grimaces as she turns, facing me a little more. “Thing is Eva, I’ve known Nycto for a long time. I’ve never seen him act without giving everything a second thought. He always thinks things through twice. Is he reckless? Hell, yes. Does he do stupid things? Always, but I’ve never seen him do anything like what he’s done with you.”
My stomach twists as I sit up, facing her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean he acted on instinct. He wanted to protect you, so he took you. Without thinking it through. Not even once, let alone twice. Nycto bends the rules all the time, he’s known for it, but blatantly breaking them means he’s done it for a reason. If he’s keeping you in here, and not in a cell, it means you mean something to him. And Eva, if he held you in his arms, you’ve gotten under his skin. Nycto is not affectionate. With anyone… ever. He wouldn’t just put that shit on for show. So, if you feel a connection with him, I bet he’s feeling it, too, because I don’t know a single person alive who’s felt a connection like that with Nycto.”
“He’s never had someone to share his life with?”
Trixie narrows her eyes as if considering the thought. “Not that I’m aware of. Sure, he’s had