Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
IVY
“Milly?” I smile at the nickname and file it away for future use.
I’m dressed in my tights and tutu, drinking my tea as I wait for the Zoom class I’m teaching to start. I only take private lessons now from my little studio.
It’s the only way to continue pursuing my passion.
When Abel told me he’d outfit the extra bedroom with mirrors and cameras that would keep my face out of the videos, I jumped at the opportunity to keep dancing. Even though it’s what attracted Ivan to me, I still love the escape I can still find in the act.
My computer dings, signaling the students entering today’s class, an adult beginner’s course on Plié, a movement that should be practiced at the beginning of classes.
The students believe I am deaf as a cover for not having to talk during classes.
All questions are answered by email after class, and I record videos to address any movements they’d like more instruction on.
No facial or voice recognition, Abel had assured me.
It’s the only time of day that I feel one hundred percent me. The rest of the day, I fill with basic menial tasks that I suck at, like flooding the basement. I shake off my thoughts and start the music before I start today’s classes.
Two hours later, I’m recording a customer video for another student when a knock on my door scares me half to death.
I stop the camera and grab a towel as I walk to the door carefully. Between the music and my ballet slippers, I make it without a sound to look out the peephole at Skull.
Milly.
“Ivy?” He calls out, and I stumble back, hitting my back on the hallway table and knocking over a vase of flowers I had on it.
Water splashes a moment before glass shatters, throwing sharp pieces all over the hallway. I sigh at the mess as the door flies open. I frown at Skull as he huffs. His chest moves rapidly as he looks around my apartment.
“Are ya okay?” He steps closer to me and cups my cheek, and I tilt my face into his palm as if it’s an automatic gesture I’ve responded to all my life.
“Fine, I just knocked over the vase.” I try to back away, but he scoops me up into his arms and carries me into the living room, placing me on the couch.
“Careful, I’ll clean up. Stay there. I don’t want you to get hurt or damage your pointe shoes.” I’m taken aback at his knowledge of my footwear.
But more importantly, why is he here?
Again.
The tone of my inner voice sets alarm bells off in my brain, wondering if I’m no longer safe here, if he’s showing more interest in me than before. I glance around, wondering if I can get to the go bag in the bottom of a basket full of blankets by the fireplace.
Abel gave me all new documents when he moved me in and told me to always keep them, three days of spare clothes, and a few thousand dollars in cash ready to go for an emergency. The way my heart is racing, this might be the time.
I slip my shoes off and creep to the basket on my hands and knees.
“Well, now that is a pretty picture.” I freeze.
“The only thing wrong is you crawling away from me. As nice as that leotard makes your arse look, I’d much rather look into your pretty eyes.” I glance over my shoulder to see Skull holding my mop and broom in his hands.
His face seems confused as to which to do first. Clean up my mess or ask why I’m crawling across my living room floor with my ass up in the air. When the cleaning articles fall to the floor, and he licks his lips, I think he’s made up his mind.
The crash that the broom and mop make causes me to levitate off the floor, and Skull reaches for me, which sets me off even more.
Move, escape.
I slide across the floor to the basket and pull out a Glock Abel also insisted I have ready at all times.
The most important part of this recovery will be you learning to depend on yourself. We’ll teach you how to defend yourself. The rest is up to you.
His words float through my mind as I point the weapon right at Skull’s chest. He raises his hands but otherwise doesn’t move an inch. His face is serious when his lips twitch.
“I would never hurt you, Lass.” I blink at his words, but my adrenaline is through the roof, and my hands start to shake.
“Why. Are. You. Here?” The words come out choppy, but the demand is apparent.
“To talk. I know.” NO!
A sob tumbles from my lips, and then the gasping starts as I immediately hyperventilate at the mere thought of my cover being blown.
“IVY!” Skull calls out, but it sounds like it’s underwater and miles away.
The gun falls onto the floor next to me as my grip slips, and my mental state follows. My vision darkens, and the last thing I see before the black takes me under is gray steel eyes pleading for me to stay awake.
Sorry, Milly.