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He moved in the seat in order to study me intently, remaining quiet. I had to admit he looked positively dashing in the suit, his crisp white shirt and stark red tie perfect complements.
I found myself licking the rim of the delicate glass, which of course he noticed, his eyes flashing.
“I will devour you tonight.” His words were simple, possessive. While not demanding, they were just… what would happen.
The blush returned and I looked away, staring out at the city lights. “Why, Kirill? Why wine and dine me?”
“Because I do what I want, and what I need is for you to be happy.”
Happy. I wasn’t certain he understood the meaning of the word. “I assure you that I want that as well. Where are we going?”
“We are going to La Travitorria.”
I turned my head, now studying him. “An Italian restaurant. Let me guess, owned by the Italian mob.” I’d heard of the establishment from Finnegan Walsh, the five-star restaurant supposedly notorious as the location where the Vincheti crime syndicate to hold certain ‘business’ meetings.
There were those times that reading his thoughts was easy. This wasn’t one of them. His look was cold, harsh like before, so when he lifted his champagne glass in a toast, I almost burst into laughter.
“Yes, Kirill. I actually listen to the news and occasionally pick up a copy of the New YorkTimes. This, all this is about showing off your prize in the hopes that whoever has decided to become your new big enemy will play their hand so you can cut it off. Am I right?”
Now it was obvious he didn’t like that I’d caught him in a subterfuge, which made me feel a little sick inside. Why not enjoy the evening? What the heck. Who knows when I’d have another opportunity to enjoy myself, or perhaps attempt to escape?
I knew better. Getting away from him was no longer an option.
I purposely turned away, hearing his heavier breathing. I’d confounded him once again. I leaned against the side, staring out the window and sipping on the champagne. When the driver turned down a street, I tensed. He would drive right past the George Gershwin Theater. “I almost had an audition for a brand-new Broadway show in this theater.” I made the statement in passing, knowing he wouldn’t respond, and I was right. “That was supposed to be today.” My last words were nothing more than a whisper. He truly didn’t care.
It was a pipe dream being on Broadway, and as a cast member of the most highly anticipated show of the last two years no less. Ridiculous. However, it had been my dream since I was tiny, singing and dancing my little heart out from the time I could walk. At least that’s what my mother had told me. Sadly, the dream would be put on hold indefinitely, if not forever.
Today had been the last day to audition, the premiere of the show in less than two months. Oh, well.
No, it truly pissed me off. I’d worked far too hard over the years to just let my dream fade away.
There was so much yin and yang about him. The clothes were so gorgeous that for a few minutes I allowed myself to think we could find some kind of a fairytale ending, although I wasn’t stupid enough to think it could last forever. Moments like the few seconds before leaving and this one were stark reminders that our worlds were completely different, our lives incompatible.
“How dare you,” I said without looking at him.
“How dare I what?”
“Take away my life. I know it’s inconsequential to you given you were programmed as a child to become a killer, but this is something different. Something special.”
“Then why don’t you tell me about it?”
I snapped my head in his direction, expecting him to be on the phone or staring at me drolly. But he was watching, forever watching. “Okay. I’ve studied drama, dance and piano and voice since I was six. Six years old. This was my big chance. I worked very hard to get an audition and now it’s done. Poof. And don’t tell me that there are other auditions because I’m sure there won’t be. You’ll find a way to keep me from going to those. I’m angry. I’m hurt. I’m stupid as hell.” I started laughing, unable to stop. I laughed so hard I developed the hiccups, which just added to the ridiculousness of the situation.
When he handed me a cup of water, I almost threw it at him, but it was just a kneejerk reaction. I wouldn’t want to ruin his spiffy clothes. I took several sips, trying to control my diaphragm just like I did for hitting the high notes. Finally, it worked.
Then we sat in silence just like before, but at least I’d gotten it off my chest.
“Nothing about you is stupid, Candy. You are by far the most intelligent, talented, and beautiful woman I’d ever known or would ever want to know. Sometimes things happen for a reason.”
Yeah, and sometimes the devil takes control, another of my mother’s phrases. Actually, it had been her warning to be a good girl. I’d failed miserably.
Enjoy the night. Just breathe and enjoy.
As the limo pulled in front of the restaurant, blocking in several vehicles, both the driver and the passenger climbed out. It was easy to tell they were looking for any issues prior to opening Kirill’s door.
He leaned over, raking a single nail down my arm. “Just remember to be on your best behavior tonight. While I’m very aware of every player in every syndicate, my identity is unknown to most and it’s going to stay that way. We are not here to interrupt their business in any way.” He pinched my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes.
“Then why are we here?”
