6. Margot
six
Margot
Ifeel like I'm going to go crazy.
Three days later, we're still here. If it weren't for Madalyn's picture remaining on the news feeds, I'd think no one was looking for her.
There's no way something like that could possibly happen.
"I'm so bored." Like me, Madalyn is starting to truly suffer. Her amazing vacation is starting to lose its appeal now that she's gone days without social media. Days without Brandon. Days without anything.
She may hate Dad having her dress up and pose like some kind of doll, but she does enjoy showing herself off on her own accord. She's already complained that she wishes she had a camera so she could show off the few outfits that hold some appeal.
"What do you suggest we do?" Flipping through the channels, I've grown tired of watching the same reporters spout off the same stories. Nothing interesting is playing, and there's only so much television we can watch before it becomes too stale.
My sister sighs, offering little input on our dilemma.
Yesterday, I had to listen to her moan about missing Brandon and wonder if he was looking for her. He'd be so worried, desperate for answers. Would he be targeted because of my sister's disappearance? What if they had him locked up?
Et cetera, et cetera.
I wonder what that is like, to have someone feel something so intensely. Whenever the two were together with me, they didn't have to hide their affection. It's what created the very same longing that has filled my chest for the last couple of years.
I seriously don't want to think about my sister's love life. Reading romances to pass the time feels like I'm making myself suffer, too.
At least when Dante's here, he's distracting enough to forget all about time. These last couple of days, he hasn't tried to spend too much time here with us. If I have to guess, he doesn't want any unwanted attention here. That, or he doesn't normally spend much time home.
The number of times his phone has gone off while "relaxing" makes me think he overworks himself.
Either way, a part of me wishes he'd be here instead of out there.
While I'm staring up at the swirls that make up his ceiling, Madalyn moves. While she searches for something to do, I'm sighing out.
It's the sound of a door opening that has me sitting up.
She's opened up the glass door that leads outside. Poking her head out, I'm on my feet in seconds.
"What are you—"
"He must not have blocked off these stairs for a reason, right?" As her lips curve, I can see a layer of mischief. "You think there's anything cool on the roof?"
Besides the opportunity to fall off? I can't imagine anything up there.
Ignoring my wary expression, she slips out. Too curious for her own good, she leaves me behind to start climbing.
Obviously not wanting her to get hurt, I follow behind. Trying to keep up with her, I make the mistake of looking through the metal grates. I've always been more of a fan of staying on ground level.
"Madalyn, wait!" Grimacing and groaning as my fear hits me hard, I'm slow climbing the rest of the way.
By the time I make it to the top, I see my sister oohing and aahing at our surroundings.
Thankfully, the building is wrapped in what looks like a chain-link fence to prevent any problems. Tall enough to be at least ten feet, there's a fabric intertwined that gives a little privacy.
A few tables are laid out, paired with umbrellas folded closed.
The main attraction is the pool. That's what has her attention.
She spins on her heels and breathes in deep, enjoying the first breath of fresh air we've gotten in days. "We should've done this on day one."
While she's back to being cheery, I'm looking around to check out every detail. Noticing a familiar set of metal steps on the other side, I coast over. Hesitating to walk down the steps, I'm disappointed to see that only the first set is open. The next, like the others, are locked off.
But just like the door we'd slipped out of, there's another glass door. Peering inside, I can see a home that is much different than Dante's.
I try for the handle, but discover that, to my utter surprise, it is locked.
He's really thought out every method of escaping.
Before I can let my frustration take over, it's the distant sound of splashing that has me bravely climbing the stairs.
There's a pile of clothes abandoned, the owner of them plunged at the bottom of the pool. She pops up only seconds later, letting out a relieved sigh.
"This feels amazing." Floating back, she shamelessly swims in nothing but her bra and underwear. As if she can hear the warning bells ringing in my head, she looks my way with a lazy smile. "Stop freaking out and join me. It's just us, anyway. Who is going to see us?"
When I stand there looking at her like she's grown a second head, she rolls over to splash me.
I'll admit, it would be fun to splash around. Especially when she's letting out breathless laughs full of relief.
"For ten minutes, can you enjoy yourself?" Swimming to the edge, she leans against it. Looking up at me, her smile softens. "Please?"
Chewing on my lip, it's her tone that finally breaks me. She's been trying to get me to relax since day one.
For ten minutes, I think... Ten minutes is okay.
Reaching for the hem of my shirt, I feel my skin warm as I pull it off. While Madalyn has seen me change a thousand times before, the thought of anyone else seeing me in such a vulnerable state makes my toes curl against the concrete.
"That's what I'm talking about." Splashing and kicking away, she gives me space to strip. "Let's make a whirlpool."
Once I'm left in nothing but the very same as her, I'm diving in to hide my biggest insecurity.
The crash of the water is instant and absolute, swallowing me whole. As the pool engulfs my flushed skin, the crushing weight of the last few days just... vanishes. It's not just cool and relieving; it feels like breaking free of the chains that have kept me tied down.
Down here, hidden and weightless, the constant worry dissolves. I am entirely, beautifully free.
Madalyn's right. I do need to relax. This worry is constantly eating at me; it's been bad for my health. It's what makes me want to sob because of the silliest things.
I can't even remember the last time I swam. Was it during my teenage years?
Lungs burning from staying under for too long, I break past the surface and suck in a lungful of air. It's not just cool drops that run down my face, but warm ones, too, as I look up at a sky clear of clouds.
This is... nice.
With the help of Madalyn, I lose track of time entirely as we fool around like we're still kids. From splashing water at each other to making the best whirlpool we can with just the two of us, I find myself laughing and even smiling each time I slip and go under.
By the time my skin is pruny and my limbs are exhausted, I'm still not ready to get out.
Madalyn's the first to call it quits. She gets out and steals nearly all of the cushions on the chairs. Placing them across the concrete to form a make-shift bed, she opts to sunbathe instead.
Knowing I’d burn to a crisp if I did the same, I opt to float on my back, letting the water cradle me as I hold onto that fleeting, weightless peace.
How much time passes before the world comes crashing back in?
The frantic, heavy clang of boots hitting the metal stairs is muffled beneath the surface, but the sheer urgency of it vibrates through the water. It’s enough to make Madalyn jerk upright, the movement filled with panic.
Kicking my feet to straighten out to see what has caught her attention, I brace for a threat.
Instead, I see Dante.
He’s standing there in the same faded leather jacket that has snagged my attention too many times, his chest heaving as if he’s just run a marathon. It's his face that strikes me dumb.
The hard, grumpy mask he always wears is completely gone. His eyes are wide and wild with panic. I’ve never seen him look terrified before, and the sight of it sends a sharp spike of anxiety straight through my chest.
Is something wrong? Are we safe?
His eyes hover over Madalyn for barely a heartbeat, his gaze sweeping over her before his search ends on me.
The moment our eyes lock, the rigid, terrifying tension in his shoulders visibly snaps. The frantic tightness around his mouth slackens, a ragged breath escaping him.
But then, the panic recedes, leaving something entirely different in its wake. His gaze drops shamelessly.
He takes me in, submerged in the clear water, wearing hardly enough to cover my body. The intensity of his stare burns. A fierce, sudden heat floods my cheeks, rushing down my neck and pooling in my chest. It is so hot, so immediate, that it clashes with the cool water lapping at my skin.
His frown is back in place, but that’s not all that appears as he busies himself with burying his fingers through his hair out of apparent frustration.
My gaze drifts lower, tracing the damp line of his shirt down to the waistband of his faded jeans.
Beneath the denim, a heavy, unmistakable shape strains against the fabric.
My mind goes entirely blank. The water around me suddenly feels freezing compared to the hot flash that erupts deep in my belly.
He's... hard. For me.
The realization makes my sex clench all on its own, and the empty sensation that follows doesn't horrify me as it should. Instead, I find myself yearning for something I've never had.
"Uh..." Madalyn breaks the spell between us as she tucks her knees to her chest. "We were allowed up here, right?"
Dante tears his eyes off me, though it looks like it takes actual physical effort. He turns toward one of the bare lounge chairs, practically taking up the entire space as he crashes down onto it. "Yes. You're allowed."
"And everything is okay?" she asks, tilting her head. "Because you came out here looking like your house is on fire."
He fixes her with a heavy scowl, but Madalyn doesn't flinch. Instead, she just rolls her eyes with a fond, dramatic sigh, clearly used to handling grumpy men.
He thought we were gone, I come to realize. Not bothered by the headache of missing an important piece of his scheme, but scared he didn't know where we were. He's got the truth written all over his face.
Now that he knows we're safe, he doesn't look like he intends to leave. He just sits there, his gaze drifting right back to me. If I get out of this pool, he's going to see everything.
Not that he seems to mind what he sees.
The thought sends a fresh wave of heat straight to my cheeks. I try splashing cool water onto my face, but it does absolutely nothing to stop the burn.
I wish I had the confidence Madalyn carries. As she stands to fetch her clothes, she doesn't blush. Be it because she's perfect, or because there's only one man whose eyes she cares about, she swiftly pulls on her clothes.
"Should we..." She tilts her head to the side, motioning to the metal stairs. "Three is a crowd."
Dante grunts. "You're right." He turns his attention to her. "I need to talk to her. Think you can entertain yourself?"
Not having a clue what he could have to talk to me about, I notice my sister prickle up. Just like me, she's very protective. Even during her vacation phase, she hasn't left us alone long, either.
"It's okay," I reassure her as I swim toward the edge. "But could you bring me a towel?"
My request gets me a worried look over her shoulder. "Sis, I don't—"
"I only want to talk to her, that's all." He flicks his hand in a dismissive gesture, motioning her to move. "It shouldn't be long. Go get her what she needs."
Am I a terrible person for enjoying how much Dante isn't influenced by her beauty?
"You could say please," I call out, catching his gaze once more. "You really don't have to be mean."
His brows push together at my request. "Please."
Madalyn gives me one more cautious look before drifting away. She doesn't give us very long to look at each other before she's returning with a towel she stole from our bathroom.
With her opening it and shielding me from any eyes, I have to stifle a laugh as I get out and wrap myself up in it.
"I can hide on the stairs if you want," she offers, her voice hushed. "As much of a host he's been to us, I don't want him doing anything funny. You're too sweet and innocent, and I don't want you getting hurt."
Funny enough, by this point, I've accepted that this man isn't going to hurt us. He doesn't need to in order to get what he wants.
"How about you figure out dinner instead?" Patting her arm, my smile softens. "Thanks to you, I've worked up an appetite. I had too much fun."
She brightens up at that. "Really?"
I nod. "Really."
It takes a little more convincing that I can take care of myself before she agrees to leave. After she gives Dante another look, she gives us the space he wants.
Whatever he wants to talk about, I can't imagine it's something worth her not knowing about.
Looking toward him, noticing the weight behind his gaze, I swallow thickly and wonder if I can convince myself that I'll be okay being alone with this man.
Right now, he looks like he wants to eat me alive.
Even worse, a part of me wants to let him.