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She opened a door, pulling out a towel and a pile of bath products. "These are for you." She dumped them on the counter. "Rook says to feel free to make this your home. Take a bath, shower, whatever you want. He bought groceries and his chef is on call; the number is in the kitchen. Your car is in the driveway, keys on the console table in the foyer. He said to text him if you need anything else.”
I inhaled a breath. “All this—for me?”
“He also bought clothes and bathroom products.” There was a dark undercurrent to her tone—bitterness, though I wasn’t sure about what.
“How?”
“How what?”
“How did he do all that? In one night?” I was certain he’d been holding me last night. It felt—strange. To have someone taking care of me like this. Not since mom died.
“Money buys time,” she said simply, opening a closet door. “Towels are in here.”
With large windows and light Italian tile, the bathroom looked spacious. A claw tub sat in front of the window, and a large, standing shower ran the whole length of the room.
"Where is he?"
"Who knows? Off killing someone. Or he could be getting bagels. You never know with that man. Though…” she paused, hesitating, her eyes not meeting mine “…they found the bodies of the men who’d brought you here. They were left on the Magnolia Bank doorstep.”
I stared at her in astonishment, and, a little bit of satisfaction. “Alive or…” I couldn’t make myself finish the sentence.
She cleared her throat. “He left you a note, on the counter.” Turning away from me, not answering.
I stared after her a long moment, then, curious, I picked it up. Then scowled.
It was a list of rules:
Don’t go anywhere without consulting me first.
Eat food from the kitchen. Make sure it’s from the healthy foods provided. Send me a picture of your breakfast and lunch.
My office is off limits.
Dinner is at 5pm. Do not be late.
And, for fucks sake, don’t get kidnapped again.
I crumpled it in my fist, tossing it in the sink. Lux turned away, but not before I caught the beginning of a smile. “He’s a bit controlling, no?”
“I’ve hit brick walls with more flexibility than him.”
She snickered. “Well, it’s not just you, hon.”
“Is he your boss?
“He wishes,” she snarked, leading me back into the bedroom. The sun was bright, filtering through the large windows overlooking the bay. It must be at least midday.
“Then why are you here? Do you always comfort his kidnapped captives?”
"For Rook?" She laughed. "God, no. Girl, that man's not even touched a woman since I've known him. And especially someone involved in the Magnolia.” A dissatisfied look crossed her face, “He tends to stay as far away as possible from anyone within the company." Was that a wistful tone in her voice?
“Oh. So just me. The man’s like a determined mosquito.”
“Well then girl, your blood must have a special flavor. And he can bite. But it ain’t no mosquito bite, that’s for sure.”
“Uh-huh,” I hummed, distracted, thinking about my house. How the Magnolia had lit it on fire, just to manipulate me into going to Rook.
I guess they’d been right. For some strange reason, Rook had a soft spot for me and I…
