59

Dorian's POV

“Your sister offered me her phone. It was a kind gesture, and I wanted her to know I appreciated it,” Vivian continued. “I called Gemma, told her I was safe, and gave the phone back to Leonora right after. She was there the whole time. That’s it.”

“It’s not over,” I said, shaking my head. “Now, Gemma has my sister’s phone number.”

“So?” Vivian shrugged. “What’s Gemma going to do with it?”

“I have no idea. That’s the problem.” I turned away, pacing to burn off the tension surging through me whenever Vivian was nearby. “I could have Adrian grab Gemma and bring her here. That’d be the quickest way to find out what she’s planning.”

Vivian stepped in front of me, pressing a hand to my chest. “You think kidnapping her is the best solution? Really? You need to work on your ‘Option A.’”

I grabbed her wrist and shoved her hand off of me, though the warmth of her fingers lingered on my skin. “It’s either that, or I kill her before she can go to the police.”

Vivian went pale. “The whole point of me calling her was so she *wouldn’t* go to the police. She’ll only do that if she thinks I’m in danger. Do you know what convinces her I’m safe?” She got in my face, her words sharp. “Regular contact. You’re welcome.”

I snorted. “You want me to thank you for lying to me?”

“Sure. Just like I’m supposed to thank you for stealing my phone and locking me in a room.” She crossed her arms and glared at me. “Not a fun thing to hear, is it?”

We stared each other down, tension crackling in the air, until my gaze dropped from her angry eyes to her lips.

Before I could grab her and kiss her senseless, I picked up Leonora’s phone and dialed the last call.

Vivian blinked, breaking out of the moment. “What are you doing?”

I didn’t answer. I put the phone on speaker and laid it on the counter. It rang three times before Gemma’s voice came through. “Vivian! Mr. Kidnapper let you call me twice in a week? Is this your reward for good behavior?”

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Vivian. “Mr. Kidnapper?”

She groaned. “Hi, Gemma. It’s Vivian… and Dorian. You’re on speaker.”

“Fuck. Sorry. You could’ve led with that,” Gemma muttered. “Would’ve avoided this awkward moment.” I switched off the speaker and grabbed the phone. “Now that she knows Vivian’s alive, I’ll handle the rest.” “Hey!” Vivian lunged for the phone. “She’s my cousin!” I caught her hand and twirled her around until she crashed into me. She gasped as I whispered in her ear, “Which is why I need to make sure she’s not a threat.” Vivian squirmed, and I had to shove her aside before I followed through on my impulse to have her right there against the fridge. “You two are so messed up,” Gemma sighed. “Are you fighting?” “With Vivian, everything is a fight. You should know that.” “Actually, no. Vivian has always been the quiet one. Not boring,” she quickly added. “Just… reserved.” I glanced down at Vivian’s head as she kept wriggling under my arm. “I guess I bring something else out in her.” Vivian jabbed me in the ribs. “Stop talking about me.” I grabbed her other wrist, holding both of her hands in mine while keeping her pinned beneath my arm. “Gemma, I’m calling to warn you—things will get ugly if you go to the police.” “Says the kidnapper,” Gemma muttered. “Are you going to tell me the cops are crooked or something?” “They are. But even if they weren’t, I’d say the same thing. If you get in my way, you’ll regret it.” A long pause followed before she whistled. “You’re a real piece of work.” “I’m keeping your cousin alive. Without me, she’d be dead.” My tone was cold. “If you interfere—” “I’m not getting in anyone’s way. Vivian told me that she trusts you with her life. If she feels that strongly about it, then I have no choice but to trust her judgment. No matter what my intuition is screaming at me.”

Vivian trusted me with her life.

It completely clashed with how she was currently thrashing like a wildcat to break free. But if she had said it to her cousin in confidence, there was a good chance it was true.

I made a quick decision. “If you really believe that, then you’re welcome to visit the house.”

Vivian stopped struggling instantly. She looked up at me, her blue eyes wide with disbelief. “What?”

Gemma’s voice mirrored her surprise. “What?”

“I’ll send a car for you,” I told her. “Be ready in an hour.”

Before I even ended the call, Vivian wrapped her arms around my neck. She pressed her face into the crook of my shoulder, her voice soft as she whispered, “Thank you, Dorian.”