Grievous (Wanted Men #5) - Nancy Haviland Page 0,32
And you sound exactly like you. I like it because its not that pole-up-the-hoop fake Yasmeen you turn into when you’re at work. But I don’t like this other stuff. What violent fantasies? I hope you don’t star in them. And whose privacy did he invade? Yours? I mean, aside from…seriously, he drugged you, Yasmeen. Can you not call the police on him and come home? No, shit, of course not,” she answered her own question. “You’re too into him. How the fuck, though? Is he at least being nice to you? He’s not tying you up, is he?”
The shower turned off in the other room. “Shit. I gotta go. I just had to call and tell you I wasn’t dead, and I love you, too. Loki is in the Hamptons, and I should be home in a couple of days. I’ll try to call again.”
“Take care of yourself, Yas. Please.”
“I will. Maybe…maybe I can help him.” She looked at the bathroom door and realized again how much she wanted to. This overbearing madman she was experiencing couldn’t be who he was. It just couldn’t. “You know, before we part ways again.”
“Dammit. Call me when you have more time to talk. You have to explain that tone to me. You sound as if you don’t want to part ways with your kidnapper. You’re there against your will, you asshat!” Miranda hissed.
“But I don’t think I am anymore.”
“What?”
She winced. “I know. Like I said, I’m confused. I’ll call you,” she whispered. “Love you. Bye.”
She hung up with a sigh and put the phone back on the pillow, hoping Lucian wouldn’t remember if it had been facing up or down because she didn’t remember either. She slid back across the mattress and assumed the position a few seconds before the door opened to admit one hell of a tattooed masterpiece.
♦ ♦ ♦
Lucian walked out of the bathroom and found his pet in the same spot he’d left her. He adjusted the towel around his waist and took his fill. Her chin was on her knees that she’d tucked up to her chest, and she wore a dark…hungry?...expression. Her hair was swaying, proving she’d been active only seconds ago. Her gaze followed him as he crossed the room and went into the closet. His heart rate accelerated with every step.
“Do you read, Yasmeen?” he asked, disregarding the odd reaction. He dropped the towel and dressed in casual slacks and a light knit, both in black. He looked at every item in the closet that was identical to six others that were in the master bedrooms of his homes around the world. No longer was there any color. Not even in the rolled ties he could see through the glass-front drawers. Color wasn’t welcome.
“I’m not illiterate if that’s what you’re asking.”
He had to get to his office and get in touch with New York. The demand in the back of his mind to show his displeasure at the lack of action was becoming something he could no longer ignore. “I am sorry, Markus,” he said quietly. “You deserve better. I will take care of it now.”
The sound of Yasmeen shifting on the bed reminded him of her presence.
“I will show you the library tomorrow,” he said. “If you enjoy books, you might want to spend some time in there.”
“Going for a Beauty and the Beast thing here?” she muttered just loud enough for him to hear.
If she could see inside him, she’d realize the fairy tale wasn’t that much of a stretch. He went out when he heard a knock on the door. Sorin was in the hallway with a covered tray in his hands. Because his face was free of expression—disapproval—Lucian stood back and allowed him in.
“Thank you, Sorin. If you leave it on the dresser, I’ll feed her.”
“I could not find a stainless steel bowl or plate, so you’ll have to make due with putting her scraps on a napkin so you do not dirty the floor.”
Hmm. Seemed the disapproval was alive and well. “I would consider it, but I will most likely chew her food for her before I drop it into her waiting mouth so your way will not work.”
“If you are standing over her, how will she have room to do the tricks you will no doubt demand she performs before you reward her with food?” Sorin placed the tray down on the end of the dresser and turned impatient eyes on him.
Lucian’s mouth curved. “She already performed quite