Page 49

Ivy

Standing at the window, I stared out into the vast expanse of trees and complete isolation. I had counted my time here, trapped in this house by sunsets. I arrived in the dark, so every night as the sun crept down over the horizon, it solidified another day.

Today . . . Today was day nine.

Dante hadn't really left me alone, not for more than an hour or two since the first two days. And I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. Hidden deep inside me was that dangerous feeling of enjoyment when he was here. I didn't want to be alone because there was safety in his company.

But I never asked where he went or when he'd be back. And for some reason he felt the need to tell me. As if my quietness and looks were a calling for information. It wasn't much information, usually just a sliver of insight. He'd tell me about how long he'd be gone or what he was leaving for.

In all honesty, I didn't really care. So long as it wasn't to make the trade for me, I was content right where I was.

His father hadn't come back yet, but I knew when he called. Dante would get all stiff and he'd tuck his head into his chest, then he'd leave the room without so much as a glance.

Bane's hand was squeezing Dante, manipulating him, moving him like his own living marionette. He pulled the strings and Dante did as he was told. I hated that. I could see that Dante wanted to do this all differently, he didn't want me involved at all.

But here I was, enemy number one to the most notorious and dangerous man in the state.

My guard had started to waver, balancing on my need for survival, and my need for comfort, attention, and . . .Love.

I wouldn't say that Dante loved me, and I certainly wouldn't put my feelings into a basket and call them cheery floating petals of emotion.

But it was better than what I had been getting, a hell of a lot better.

“How's the view?”

“Same as it has been,” I said, snuggling my arms into my chest. There was a draft blowing in from the window seam, making my body chilled. “You know, for such a strong window, it isn't sealed tight.”

“Yeah, well, you certainly tested its limits. But that's what you get with old houses.” Walking up beside me, he buried his hands into his pockets and stared off into the same nothingness I was. “I put some new clothes on the bed for you.”

Closing my eyes, I rubbed my elbows. “Okay.”

I felt him turn to look at me. His eyes threw off enough heat to let me know when they were on me. My skin would grow warm, prickles would spring to life and surf my body.

“What?” I asked, still keeping my lids shut.

“You're quiet.”

Opening my eyes, I turned to face him. “What do you want me to say, Dante?”

“I don't know.” Shrugging his shoulders, he leaned into the glass. “Ask me something, ask me questions about myself, about my life.”

“Why? What good would that do?”

“Ask me so I can ask you.”

What the hell is he doing?

“I thought you already knew about me? You knew my name, you obviously knew where I was so your guys could snatch me. You don't care about my past or where I came from.”

Rolling his eyes, Dante stepped in closer. “I'm trying to figure this out, Ivy. Maybe knowing more about you will help me make up my mind.”

Snapping my hands to my hips, I veered my stare. “You already have it all figured out, Dante. Your daddy made that decision for you when he held the gun to my head. Why are you doing this? Why are you screwing with me?”

“I'm not trying—”

Cutting him off, I threw my hand into the air, letting it fall to slap my thigh. “Yes, you are!” I felt all the anger I had stuffed down and away resurface. Yes, there was safety here, but that didn't erase the fact I was still a caged animal.

I was still having my life dangled before my eyes in a game of cat and mouse. Maybe he'll help me, maybe he won't. Maybe Dante feels something for me he didn't want to or maybe this was still all part of his mind games.