Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists #2) - M. Sinclair Page 0,61
here. I suppose it’s better than his goddamn yacht because the man is impulsive. I wouldn’t want to look away and not realize he’s taken off without me knowing.
“You good?” I ask River as he flashes me a smile despite the tension I see in his gaze, and believe me, after the way River and I started, it’s crazy to think I can find support in him, but I can.
If you had asked me a month ago, when this entire shit show began, if I’d ever thought I’d be in a place where I trusted River Rhodes with my life? I would have laughed and then possibly cried. Now though, I more than trust him. I love him and he makes me feel completely safe. I know he acts unpredictable at times, often crazy, but I have no doubt now the extent he’d go to for me. The extent all of them would go to for me.
“Yeah, Kitten.” He places a hand on my back gently and leans closer. “Just remind me to rip these tight pants off of you later, your ass looks fucking fantastic.”
“River,” I admonish as an older couple offers us a scandalized look, my face flaming as he barks out a laugh, looking absolutely thrilled at the coincidence.
“You love it,” he teases me, pressing a kiss to my temple. That’s totally factual, I do love him.
“I love you,” I mumble softly.
He groans, “Fuck, Sloane. You can’t say hot shit like that to me—”
“There is my muse!” Kronin bursts out from a hotel room door looking thrilled and covered in actual paint … thank God. I smile as he literally, this is not a joke, tugs me into a hug and spins me around. I hear River grunt and realize that he’s being patted down by Kronin’s large bodyguard. A growl sounds in my ear from Blaine or Royce or even Kaden at Kronin’s closeness but luckily he doesn’t notice and I am tugged into the room, glad that my tiny purse carries the unsuspecting material so easily.
“I am absolutely thrilled about this,” he begins and I look around the massive penthouse, slightly smaller than our own, but then again he’s using it just as a studio and staying on a yacht … so there’s that. The center of the room has an ottoman and a large canvas, with closed windows and professional lighting. Alright, at least this seems legit so far.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks ceremoniously as I nod thankfully because let’s face it, this shit’s scary. I have no real idea what the hell I am doing.
“Yes!” I say immediately as he turns towards the bar, grabbing a crystal decanter and sitting down on a paint stained, velvet sofa. River grunts out a thanks as Kronin pours a third glass, his bodyguard going back to stand outside.
“So good for your brother to join us,” Kronin says and if I wasn’t looking right at his face, I wouldn’t see the dark shadow that sweeps across his face as if he meant literally the exact opposite.
“My sister's safety is always a priority,” River offers, omitting his trademark smile but before I can respond, Kronin begins to talk about the painting.
“It’s pretty easy,” Kronin explains motioning towards the ottoman, “I just need you to go sit there and I will sketch away. I hope you two are comfortable, this could take all night.” Oh wonderful. Taking a fake sip of my drink and handing it to River, I walk towards the center of the room and sit down on the ottoman. My eyes widen as Kronin places his drink down and River’s eyes flare looking at my purse, Kronin paying no mind as he walks towards his easel. I try to ignore the urge to watch as River easily places some Benadryl and eye drops in his glass, the anxiety of the moment seems to stretch on and on.
I have no idea why I assumed that this would be easy. His successfully drugged drink is left untouched as he begins to authentically sketch the picture, using a variety of pencils. I still when he finally stands and narrows his eyes at me.
“We have a problem, my muse,” he laments, “I can’t see your frame.”
River’s jaw clicks as I try to laugh lightly, a similar laugh to the one I used to give Pierce when I was trying to get him to leave me alone, while just agreeing with him.