Leilani taps the screen, her lip caught between her teeth.
“There she is.” Anton’s syrupy voice fills the room, kicking my pulse into high gear. “There’s my sweet girl.”
She gives him a small, shaky wave. “Hi.”
“Hi, pretty thing. You look lovely in blue.”
Her eyes drop in mock shyness, cheeks burning hotter, the pinkness spreading down her neck.
I wonder if she’s faking that...
“I don’t have much time today. Octavius needs me, but I had to see you, even if just for a few minutes.”
Her fingers drop back to the hem, toying with the lace. And just like that, the first seed is planted. I can’t see Anton’s face, but I hear the subtle change in his tone, how he speaks slower.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” A note of worry breaks through. “You seem... shaken.”
“No, I’m okay.” She looks up, eyes a touch wider, selling her unease in microbeats.
“Are you sure, petal? You know you can tell me if anything’s bothering you.”
“I know.” Her gaze flicks behind the camera, and she swallows hard, straightening her backjust so. “I’m a little tired. I didn’t sleep well.”
“Leilani...” He exhales loud enough the room vibrates. “You’re not telling me everything, are you? Did you have a nightmare, sweet girl?”
She pinches her lips, nodding.
“What was it about, lovely girl?”
“Shadows... bad people.”
“Bad people?” he repeats, worry palpable in his tone. “Who scared you, my petal? Did someone upset you?”
“No,” she says abruptly, and forces a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. She could be an actress. The way she lies so easily with her body is fascinating. “I missed you. That’s all.”
I ball the sheets into tight fists, holding myself in place on the bed. She sounds genuine and it rips me the fuck open.
Anton inhales,hummingin satisfaction. “Say it again.”
“I...I—” She trips over the word, quickly glancing past the screen again before she settles. “I miss you a lot.”
I’d give my right fucking arm to see his face. To gauge whether the plan’s working.
“I miss you more, sweet thing. So much. Tell me, are you eating? Drinking your milk? You look pale, petal.”
“I had toast and fruit for breakfast.”
“What kind of fruit?”
“Strawberries.” A small smile tugs at her mouth. “They made me think of you.”
He sighs. “Good. That’s good. You need to take care of yourself for me. Just a little longer.” He pauses and Leilani stares at the burner phone as if hypnotized. “I need to go now, petal. Are you sure you’re fine, sweetheart?”
She folds her hands neatly in her lap. “I’m fine.”
“Say it again.”
A pinch of her lips, a small frown between her brows that smooths over in a flash... enough discomfort in her posture to hammer the point.
