Christmas Captive - Isabella Starling Page 0,39

my napkin, feeling Amicia's eyes on me.

"Who was she?" she asked, unable to stop herself. "The woman... Dylan. Who was she, Sir?"

"A former plaything of mine," I replied, my eyes boring into my date's. "I kept her for a few weeks last year."

"Oh," Amicia muttered. "And she's now engaged to someone else?"

"Of course," I went on. "I'm glad she's happy."

"Aren't you..." She bit her lower lip as the maître’d placed the menus on the table in front of us. "Jealous?"

"Of that Clare man?" I chuckled. "Of course not, Kitty. I let go of Dylan for a reason. This way is better for her, and for me. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here with you."

This seemed to appease her, and she smiled brightly as I ordered for both of us.

We were halfway through our dinner when she asked about Dylan again. "Did you love her?"

I didn't need to ask who she meant. I pondered her question, though there was really only one answer I could give her. "No, I did not."

"Why not?"

I gave her a curious look. She was a curious little pet, which amused me. Still, she was prying about things she had no business asking about. "Aren't you asking a lot of questions tonight, Kitty. I didn't love her because I've never loved anyone."

"Never?" she wondered.

"No. Have you been in love before, Amicia?"

She gave a noncommittal shrug. "There was a boy... when I was still living with the woman who was my foster parent..."

"You loved him?"

"Maybe," she muttered. "I'm not sure."

"You know what they say," I went on. "If you aren't sure, you haven't been in love."

"Oh, I have," she went on in a soft whisper.

"Oh?" I repeated before my eyes flashed with understanding. "Oh, I see."

She didn't respond save for the flush of her cheeks as she continued with her dinner.

We didn't speak up again until we were done with our meal. Then, I escorted Amicia from her seat and told her we'd take a quick walk around town to see some Christmas decorations before returning home.

She delighted in seeing the lit-up trees all over Notting Hill, and we were having a wonderful time, our squabble from lunch forgotten, though her punishment was still on my mind. We were walking down an alley when a shadow approached. I spotted him right away, with his hood over his eyes and his hands tucked into his pockets. It barely came as a surprise when he stopped in front of us, aiming a blade at us with shaky hands.

"Money. Jewelry. Now."

Amicia gasped, and I pushed her behind me. "Do you know who you're dealing with here?"

"Don't give a flyin' fuck," the figure snarled. He wasn't older than eighteen, still a boy. I could take him down easily. "Money. Jewels. I said fuckin' now!"

I took a step forward, sliding his hood off and exposing a young, terrified face. He glared at me, swishing the knife in my direction before he realized who I was.

"Mr... Mr. Kline," he huffed. "I'm so sorry, I had n-no idea..."

"I can see that, yes," I hissed at him. "Report to your superior, kid. You shouldn't be working in this corner."

"Y-Yes, Sir," he managed, so afraid he tumbled over his own feet to get away. He took off running, and I sighed deeply, rubbing my eyes.

"What on earth just happened?" Amicia spoke up from behind me. "Are you okay, Sir? Did y-you know h-him?"

"Well," I started with a heavy sigh. "He knew me, and that's all you need to know right now, Kitty. Come on, it's time we went back home."

Her brows knitted together in confusion, but she didn't argue, allowing me to link our arms and pull her toward the limousine waiting a few blocks down.

I needed Kai back in town. Business was going to hell without him present, and now a street urchin had nearly harmed my Kitty. Everything was messed up.

Amicia seemed to sense my mood and remained quiet until we arrived back at home. I took her upstairs, my mind now firmly on her punishment. She hadn't forgotten about it either.

"Would you like me to prepare for..." she started, swallowing thickly. "For the punishment? Meet you in the... room later?"

"No," I said firmly. "Come with me now."

She followed meekly behind as I took her to the room. I dimmed the lights and ordered her to strip. She started moving her body, removing her clothes rhythmically, but I stopped her in her tracks.

"No, not like that," I said firmly. "Be quick and efficient. I want