“So I’m a more precious addition to the collection?” I breathe. “The valuable piece that needs to be kept separate from the rest.”
His jaw tics, frustration lining his eyes, still glinting delight. I think because he likes when I clap back at him. “You, my sweet little bird, are priceless.”
“Is that so?”
He nods. “I can’t bear to think about you being in the Tomb, and yes, I realize that makes very little sense when I have you locked up in here, but I promise it’s for your own safety.” He frowns, shaking his head. “Okay, that’s not entirely true, but regardless of all that, you have to believe me. I didn’t know about you being in the East…”
I bite my lip to keep from accidentally grinning. I can’t fathom that I’m finding this vile humancharmingright now, but I can’t help it.
He’s staring at me like he’s desperate for me to believe him, and I think I do. Maybe that makes me an idiot, but I’m pretty sure we passed that exit miles ago.
“I believe you,” I hum.
He visibly relaxes, just a bit. Still tense, and I wish I could hear what he’s thinking.
“So, you were the intruder all along…” His eyes dip over me slower, light eyebrow arching. “You were the girl Carlito found in the prison?”
I know this question is rhetorical, but I nod anyway. “Si. It would appear so…”
This is the part where I expect him to mention what Ari got up to during her time here… I’m fully prepared for him to scold me endlessly for all of my time spent bent over, or on my knees for various members of his staff.
I’m worried about it, maybe even scared shitless. But ready.
Yet, he doesn’t bring it up. He doesn’t seem angry, nor does he appear to be judging me at all. In fact, he’s looking at me like Iam every bit that priceless work of art; fascinating and complex. Beguiling, but so utterly entrancing, he wants to spend hours studying it. Overwhelming it its own right, my reflex is to grab the nearest giant piece of boxy fabric and throw it over myself.
That is, until he whispers, “Dime…”
Tell me.
It’s a soft command and a desperate plea together, paired with the way he’s marveling.
This entire visit is throwing me for a loop.Not at all how I expected my first interaction with my captor to go.
“Tell me about you,” The Ivory whispers.
I’m trembling all over, heat rushing to my face. I’m not sure why this is stressing me out so badly, but it is.
“I… I don’t…” I shake my head.
“Dime, pajarito,” he purrs, taking my hand in his, playing with my fingers. “Dime su nombre… at least.”
Tell me your name…
I swallow hard, once again baffled by his behavior. His attention held captive byme. By the beautiful, and the broken, and everything in between.
Still, this is difficult, and I don’t knowwhy. I was Ari for months on this island; for nearly a year, in front of all kinds of people. But something about tellinghimfeels different. I can’t put my finger on it.
Still, I close my eyes, and take a breath. And I tell him…
“Arianna,” I croak softly. “Ari.”
Ivory hums, a vibration from within his chest. We’re so close I can feel it.
“So… Ari.” He lifts our joined hands, nipping my fingertip playfully. I gasp as his dark eyes meet mine. “Can we drop the act now?”
My stomach falls, and I’m a breath away from smacking him when he adds, “Me extrañaste… Didn’t you?”
You missed me.
