Alexis snorts out a laugh of pure disbelief. “You want me to learn ballet? Withthisbody?”
“Dance is for everyone, my sweet little imp.”
“It objectively is not. A professional ballerina is going to take one look at me and laugh me out of the class.”
“Perhaps some would,” I concede. I’m not so deluded as to believe everyone is as accepting as our family here on the island. “But not Isabella. She’s an absolute sweetheart and she just enjoys sharing her passion with the other Littles.”
“If you say so.”
Before I can give her any further reassurance, the car slows to a stop.
Home.
The back door opens, and Maxwell’s driver steps aside so I can climb out of the car. Turning back toward my babygirl, I hold out a hand. “Welcome to your new home, little one.”
Chapter Five
Alexis
Panic claws at my throat. Even through the flight, the car ride, everything, some part of my brain had managed to convince itself that an escape was possible.
But I know, with absolute certainty, that if I go in that house I’ll never leave again under my own volition.
Crossing my arms, I press myself against the seat. “No. I’m not going anywhere. I want to go home.”
“We are home, Alexis. Come with Mommy.”
My heart pounds against my chest as I stare into those dark, demanding eyes. Refusing her will likely mean a punishment. Because there is little doubt in my mind that she will find a way to get me where she wants me, and the more I fight her, the worse that punishment will be.
But maybe if I lean into the role she’s placed me in, if I can convince her I’m just a scared Little girl, it will buy me some time.
Drawing on the acting classes I took during the brief stint where I imagined myself an actress, I widen my eyes so that thesting brings on tears, all while pushing my bottom lip out and making it tremble. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I–I’m just scared. Please don’t be mad.”
To my surprise, it works. Everything about Catharina softens as she crouches beside the open door. “My poor Little girl. I suppose it has been a very long day full of very big changes, hasn’t it?”
“Big changes” is a hell of a way to describe being kidnapped by a sociopathic billionaire heiress, but sure. We’ll go with that. “Uh-huh,” I reply with a deliberately dramatic sniffle.
“I know it’s been very hard, getting used to your new life. But if you don’t come inside now, Mommy will have to punish you.”
Dammit. So much for the scared Little girl act buying me extra time.
And, honestly, I don’t know what I’d do with that time if I had it. Make a run for it? Catharina’s in much better shape than I am, no doubt she’d catch me in no time.
Fight her off? She already proved on the plane that won’t work.
Physically, she has every advantage. So I’ll have to rely on my brain to get me out of this. Which means giving myself time to plan the perfect escape.
And that means going in that damn house.
“Okay, Mommy. I’ll go with you.”
“That’s my sweet little imp. Come on.”
Trying to ignore the thundering of my heart in my chest, I let her help me out of the car and lead me toward the stunning house. Even from the outside, it looks like something out of a fairytale. Not like a castle, not really, but more like a fairy cottage of sorts.
Just way,waybigger.
The outside is all stonework, with lots of pretty wooden framework. There’s even what looks like a turret on one side. Allin all, it’s a surprisingly whimsical house for such a pragmatic woman.
