Page 64 of Phantom Flower

I slipped outside and immediately understood why he had not bothered with locks.

Holy shit.

Trees. Endless trees. The same forest from that night he chased me with a gun. I recognized the curve of the driveway.

Middle of nowhere.

No neighbors.

If I started walking, I might hit a road eventually… but it would take hours. And that was assuming I did not get lost or eaten by whatever the hell lived out here.

A voice drifted from behind me, amused.

“Trying to run away already, little fairy? I wouldn’t advise it.”

I spun around so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet. Dimitri stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Black shirt unbuttoned at the throat, sleeves rolled up, phone still in one hand. He looked unfairly good for someone who had just been threatening people over the phone.

I tried for sarcasm, even though my pulse was racing. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Wouldn’t want a man with a gun showing up between those trees again. I’m still recovering from that particular nightmare.”

His lips twitched. He pushed off the doorframe and stalked toward me, like a predator who already knew his prey was not going anywhere. “Smart boy. Though I think you enjoyed certain parts of that night more than you’re willing to admit.”

Heat crawled up my neck. I rolled my eyes hard. “You chased me through the woods with a loaded weapon. I was terrified.”

“Is that so?” He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “Because the way you looked at me when I caught you… and the way you came untouched, didn’t seem like terror.”

I swallowed and changed the subject quickly. “This feels a lot like captivity, you know.”

“Does it?” He tilted his head, studying me.

“From where I’m standing, it looks like I’m keeping what’s mine safe. Someone tried to drug you. Tried to rape you. Forgive me if I’m not ready to hand you back to the outside world just yet.”

I looked away toward the dark tree line, arms wrapping around myself. “Don’t you have places to be? Meetings? People to threaten? You can’t watch me twenty-four seven.”

“I can,” he said simply. “And I will.”

My stupid heart did that flip again. I hated how easily he could switch from terrifying to whatever this was. I opened my mouth to argue, but he did not give me the chance.

“Come on. We’re going shopping.”

I blinked. “Shopping? You’re taking me shopping?”

“Unless you’d rather stay naked.” His gaze dragged down my body, heated. “That option is very much on the table.”

“Dimitri—”

He stepped in closer, invading my space until his chest nearly brushed mine. One hand came up and gently tucked a strand of my silver hair behind my ear.

“Aren’t you scared I’ll run the second we’re in the city?”

“Try it, little fairy. I’ll enjoy hunting you down again. Maybe this time I won’t be so nice when I catch you.”

The threat should have made me bolt. Instead, I blushed so hard my ears burned. I was in so much trouble.

***

He was not lying.

Dimitri actually took me shopping.