Chapter 0037

Well. I cleared my throat and moved my thoughts on to something else.

I am less tempted by the enticements of Fiona’s super-feminine lifestyle, I think, because I already had

a sister who delved into all of that sort of stuff. Sure, strippers are all about being sexy while being a

mafia side piece is all about being luxe, but there was some overlap. And it just wasn’t for me.

Instead, I missed my work. Missed going to the office to meet with my colleagues, missed helping

people, even missed going to the prison to interview inmates – though I never thought I’d miss that. I

missed going to the coffee shop, missed studying and finding new books. And while Kent has given me

free reign to order any books – or really, anything I want - it’s just not the same.

I miss my life. And I’m terribly, terribly bored.

Kent and Daniel know, of course. Daniel because I’ve told him and Kent…well, because Kent knows

everything. I stopped begging him for a little freedom a while ago – the answer was always no. Now, I

mostly plead wordlessly, with my eyes, my expression.

He knows I’m miserable here, but he still won’t let me out.

I’m staving off my boredom, today, by painting my toenails in the back garden. Fiona has given me an

elaborate manicure kit, telling me to practice, so my feet and hands are far, far more polished than

they’ve ever been. I sigh as I finish painting a lavender sheen on my pinkie toe. What the hell am I

going to do next?

I jump, then, as a box smacks on the ground next to me – a big one, as long as my arm. I look up at the

back door with wide eyes, shocked to see Kent standing there, leaning against the frame with his arms

crossed.

“Put those on,” he says. “We have somewhere to be.”

Frowning, I lift the box into my lap and open the top, gasping a little as I see a pair of the most

gorgeous boots. They’re tall, nearly knee-high, and made of supple black leather with a delicate little

buckle around the ankle.

“Where are we going?” I ask, my face lighting up. Honestly, I don’t care – out of the house it sounds

like, so I’m thrilled either way.

“You’ll see,” he says, turning and heading towards the garage. “Meet me by the car when you’re ready.”

I quickly pull on my socks, not caring that it will ruin my pedicure, and then tug the boots on as quick as

I can. I have to force my foot in all the way to the bottom, tugging hard at the top – there’s no zipper to

help. But, when I finally get them on, they fit perfectly.

As usual, Kent has guessed my size to perfection.

I admire the boots for a moment and then spring to my feet, running to the car.

Kent drives us in silence to wherever we’re going, but I do note the subtle smile playing on his lips. I’ve

stopped asking about our destination – he never tells – so I just spend my time gazing out at the

landscape as we pass. We’re out of the city now – just about fifteen minutes, really – but how I’ve

missed the sight of a variety of nature beyond what Kent’s little back garden can offer.

I’m surprised to see him slow in what seems like the middle of nowhere, turning towards a simple

gravel drive crossed with a metal gate. He presses a button on the roof of the car and the metal gate

slowly swings open. I look closely, but I can’t see anything beyond it.

“Are we here?” I ask, frowning at him.

He looks at me and nods. I see that he can’t help but smile a little, so I smile too and sit up in my seat,

looking eagerly out the windshield. Then I just wait, a little breathlessly, to see where he’s taken me.