20. Evelyn
“Another delivery?”
Rurik nodded at the security camera, and I unlocked the deadbolts, pulling open the door a few inches. He never came in. Laszlo didn’t want anyone in his sanctum, especially when I was home alone.
I took the box, and Rurik returned to his post without looking at me.
Inside was a pink silk blouse, a peach lingerie set, and a selection of a few smooth skirts.
They smelled expensive. I brought them upstairs to the main bedroom, putting them on hangers.
The few thrifted pieces I bought when I first got to Arkham were shoved to the back, drowned out by all his gifts.
It had been a week since we last had a meaningful conversation, and I was stuck in a holding position, waiting for him to tell me when it was all over.
When I told him I was glad he was my first, he had stormed out of the penthouse.
I didn’t know where he’d gone, and Rurik wouldn’t tell me anything.
In place of words, he was spoiling me with gifts, preparing me for a life away from him. I told myself it wasn’t so bad, but the loneliness was eroding my sanity. He hadn’t even taken me driving since then, always finding a new excuse.
I was desperate to close the growing chasm between us, so I picked up my phone.
Thank you for the outfits. They’re all so different…
Laszlo
I know. I want you to have the room to experiment and develop your own sense of style. I don’t imagine you had a lot of chances to do that when you were young.
Tears blurred my vision. There were a lot of things about my upbringing that I was coming to terms with, but there was a void I didn’t have words for, and somehow, he found one of them. I had missed out on core experiences. That was why people knew I wasn’t like them.
I tried to reply, but my three dots lingered there as I struggled to put my gratitude into text. Instead, another message popped up.
Laszlo
I’m taking you out for a nice dinner tonight.
I gripped the phone tighter, my heart in my throat. Blinking my eyes to make sure I didn’t read it wrong, a smile teased the edges of my lips.
Will you be home soon?
Laszlo
A few hours.
Have you heard from my friend yet?
Even though Laszlo explained that my cell phone was encrypted—and that meant people couldn’t easily spy on me—he advised that I avoid using names in texts. But Roxy was my only friend, so he knew who I was talking about.
Laszlo
No, sorry.
It’s okay. I miss you.
There was a delay, and my heart pounded as I stared at the three dots flashing in the chat.
Laszlo
I miss you too.
I hugged the phone to my chest, girlish delight flooding me.
It scared me, how happy I was to see those four little words. Tension eased in my shoulders and I entered the bathroom. He’d bought me a store’s worth of toiletries, everything I could want, and I blasted some pop music as I ran the bath.
There was another knock at the door, and I wrapped the plush, pink robe around my body. I rushed down, knowing it was Rurik and that I should make him wait.
Sure, he broke up the fight between Laszlo and Jimmy, but he made all those jokes. There was nothing funny about any of it. That was a sacred moment.
“This one’s heavy, miss. I think I should bring it in.”
I stared at Rurik with a frown. He was huge, all muscle. If he thought it was heavy, he was probably right.
“Uh, fine. Does it say where it’s from?”
He shrugged, and I stepped aside, letting him in the door. The second he was inside, my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Why is Rurik inside?”
“Hi Laszlo,” I said for Rurik’s benefit. Maybe that would be enough to keep me safe from this thug. “He has a heavy package. Where should I have him put it?”
“Oh good, it’s here. In your office.”
I instructed Rurik to the plush library, keeping Laszlo on the phone.
“What is it?”
“A surprise. Don’t open it until I’m home. After dinner tonight.”
He’d gotten me so many gifts, but he’d never told me not to open one before. I barely knew what to do with myself. With the Family, we didn’t have personal objects outside of clothing and grooming. He’d given me more material goods than I’d seen in my entire life.
Rurik left, taking the sour air with him, and I stared at the heavy box, resting on the side of the heavy wooden desk.
“You’re making me wait to find out what my present is?”
“You’ve been patient with me so far, you can wait a few more hours, can’t you?”
“I guess…” I pouted.
“The tub is running, Lyn. Don’t forget the bath bomb.”
“Stalker,” I muttered, and he laughed. My heart rejoiced. I pictured his handsome face, humour painting it before he remembered himself and returned to stoicism.
“I thought you’d be used to it by now. How else am I to ensure my stubborn angel doesn’t run away again?”
It was my turn to laugh, and I smiled up at the camera in the hallway.
“Mm, good question.”
“You’re beautiful in that bathrobe, but you know I have to gouge Rurik’s eyes out now?”
“We should really find a therapist for these anger issues,” I chided him, and he snickered.
“Let me worry about my anger issues. You worry about figuring out which outfit you want to wear tonight. I’ll be home to pick you up at seven.”