Christmas Captive - Isabella Starling Page 0,56

a plan.

"Georgina, do you have another minute?" I wondered out loud, and she nodded, sitting back down. "I wanted to talk to you about something else, ah... a special woman in my life."

"Oh, Mr. Kline." She giggled. "Did you fall in love?"

"I..." My brows furrowed. I didn't want to answer her question and yet I found myself nodding, the image of the strict, powerful businessman I'd worked to build over the years shattering in front of this innocent girl. "I suppose I did, yes."

"She's one very lucky lady," Georgina smiled wide. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to organize something special for her," I said, leaning forward on my desk. "See, I haven't seen her in a long time. Almost a year."

"That is long," she said, cocking her head to the side. "Don't you love her? She must miss you very much."

I smiled softly. "I certainly hope she does. In either case, I'm trying to plan something special for this woman, and I would love it if you could help me organize it."

"What do you need help with?" she wondered out loud. "I don't think I can do much... I don't have any money."

I chuckled. "Money's not a problem, Georgina. But what I do need is your wonderful voice."

I explained the plan to her, and by the end of it, she was clapping her hands together with excitement. "Oh, what a wonderful idea, Mr. Kline. I'm sure your friend will absolutely love that. She will be sure to forgive you."

"Forgive me?" I knitted my brows together.

"Well, you never said she was angry, but I figured you did something wrong," she said, flushing. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kline."

"It's quite alright, Georgina," I muttered. "You're right. I did do something wrong. I let her go."

***

I returned to my penthouse that night with my head swimming with thoughts. I was thinking of Amicia even more than I usually did. It was all because of that encounter Kai had described to me. I resented myself for not being there to fucking strangle the man who'd dared put his hands on my Kitty. I would've killed him, of that, I was certain.

As I jumped in the shower and the hot water sprayed over my body, I closed my eyes and found my thoughts circling around her again.

Spending last December with her was one of my most treasured memories. Sometimes, I still couldn't quite believe she was gone. I'd wake up in the morning, still foolishly trying to find her body in the bed next to me. But Amicia was gone, and unless I proved to her I was a changed man, she would never take me back.

My hand found its way between my legs. My cock was hard at the memory of her soft limbs intertwined with mine. I groaned. I couldn't get her off my mind.

At first, I'd tried. I'd convinced myself she'd never take me back, not after what I'd done to her. But I soon realized I wouldn't be able to live without her. I needed her like I needed oxygen. She was an inescapable need and I was done running away from what I really, truly, deeply wanted. And that was Amicia Romano. She was the one for me.

I heard the faint buzzing of my phone outside. Not many people had my private number, so I knew this wasn't a good sign. With a groan, I turned off the water and dried my hair. I called the number back.

"Mr. Kline?"

"Speaking."

"You were listed as an emergency contact for Miss Georgina Skye."

"Yes?" My blood ran cold at the mention of her name. "Is she okay?"

"There's been... an incident," the cool voice informed me. "Can you come to the Home? I'm afraid Miss Georgina can't stay here tonight."

"Of course."

I rushed to get ready, pulling clothes on and waking up my driver. He took me to the home where Georgina lived, and I furrowed my brows as I walked into the headmistresses' office where Georgina sat red-faced, tears drying on her young face.

"What happened here?" I barked at the headmistress, Miss Shannon. "Why is she crying?"

"Georgina tried to avoid her punishment tonight," Miss Shannon informed me in a clipped voice. "She directly disobeyed orders."

"You hit me," Georgina spat out with an accusing glare.

"Shut up, girl."

"Don't talk to her like that," I cut in sharply. "Did you hit her?"

The woman's lips set into an even thinner, unattractive line. "I did what I had to do."

"You don't hit a child," I barked at her. "Come on