Tainted

12

~Poppy~

Cian was pissed. He didn't even get me to the bottom of the first set of stairs when dad's phone rung. It was a quick call and ended in my dad shouting 'fuck' before yelling at Cian and me to stop and come back. He came to the bottom of the stairs as we stopped halfway up. He looked me up and down and sighed.

"Go change. Sebastian is coming for you."

"Now?" My good god.

"Yes now. Go." I nodded, practically running to my room and hunting down something cooler to wear since he'd complained about it. I pulled on a summer dress and a cardigan, pulling my hair over the bruises after a quick attack of the makeup to cover them somewhat up. I was shouted back down no more than 10 minutes later and I grabbed my phone back out of the drawer. I came back to the front door where Sebastian finished buttoning his suit jacket, his eyes a little darker than normal. "I expect-"

"She'll be back here unharmed don't worry." His eyes didn't leave me for even a second. "She's safe with me." I wasn't doubting it now. He couldn't be doing this to lure me into a trap. I didn't believe it. "Ready?" I nodded, scurrying out of the door, following him to his car where he pulled the door open for me. "Nice change of outfit."

"You said it was hot out." He pushed the door closed, walking around the car and getting in on his side, taking off almost immediately.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Fine. You didn't have to -"

"I know I didn't but I told you. I don't like it. Until you make your decision, I'm not going to know what's happening and just stand back am I?"

"No. I guess not." He nodded once.

"I've got some business to sort so you can come along but you need to listen and do as I say. You don't leave the car. I might be gone a little while. 2 of my men will be here. I can have one of them sit with you."

"The ones from the library?"

"Yes."

"Okay." He nods once. "What's your interesting fact?"

"What?"

"From before. On the phone." He looked over at me quickly and took a deep inhale before sitting up straight, putting a hand on my knee.

"It can be anything?"

"Anything at all." I nodded, slowly lowering my own hand onto his. I didn't know where else to put it.

"I believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

"That's not a personal fact. That's just a fact."

"No. Well, yeah. But I believe it's true. I rarely have time for lunch and I tend to be occupied for dinner so grab something quick. But breakfast? No matter what time I have to be out, I always make time for a decent breakfast."

"Like what?"

"Whatever I fancy. It has to be filling, something that will keep me going all day. Waffles or pancakes with fruit. Toast, Cereal. Depends what I have on that day, how long I've got."

"I make some next level waffles."

"You do?" He turned to me again and I nodded.

"Fluffy inside and crispy outside. With Nutella on and Strawberries? Perfection." The tension was heavy when I got in the car. He was obviously a little pissed off about me now tagging along with him for the day. Not now. Now he was fully invested in the conversation.

"What's your perfect meal?"

"Meal? Like breakfast or dinner?"

"Anything. Ever."

"That's hard. Um... Probably a really good steak with peppered mash and some veg."

"That sounds really good." I nodded at him. "What veg though?"

"I feel like broccoli is always a good shout but I don't know, maybe roasted carrots?"

"Mmm. Yeah. Or Green beans. No. Asparagus."

"Gross."

"You don't like asparagus?"

"God no. It tastes like piss." He chuckled. "Honestly, disgusting."

"Okay. Are you a starter or dessert person. If you had to choose."

"Dessert."

"You didn't even think about that."

"Don't need to. I have a major sweet tooth. It's always gonna be dessert for me." He took his hand off the wheel, scratching his chin quickly before resting it back on his lap, holding the wheel gently. "What about you?"

"It depends where I am. Some places do better starters than desserts."

"Yeah. Do you know what I call them?"

"No but I want to."

"Wastes of time." He chuckled, shaking his head as he pulled up beside another black car and turned to me.

"I shouldn't be too long okay? Do not come in there. If you need me, call." I nodded and he pushed the car door open.

The blacked-out windows made it almost impossible to see out but I could see the 2 men he'd mentioned. I recognized one of them from the doorway as I left. The other I didn't. They were shorter than Sebastian. Extremely short hair, sunglasses on. They looked like something from a film. It was kind of funny. Sebastian looked over his shoulder and walked off with one of the men, leaving the one I recognized to come back, slipping into his spot in the driver's seat.

"You must be Poppy." I nodded. I trust that he wouldn't take me out of the house to land me with a man who would do the same. "I'm Nikolai."

"Otherwise known as my entertainment whilst Sebastian works?"

"Yeah." I press my lips together. "You're an O'Neill right?"

"Mhm."

"Your dad's an ass."

"Biggest understatement of the year goes to that comment right there."

"Is it true he's had you locked in a tower all these years?"

"I mean. Kind of? My rooms by itself on the 4th floor. It's round. Kind of looks like Rapunzel's tower I guess. I wasn't locked in it. I can go around the house as I please. I've been going out shopping and to libraries alone since I was 18."

"So, you weren't locked in?"

"Not really."

"Well, that's boring. I mean- shit- no- great for you. I'm glad you weren't-"

"Chill out Nicky. I knew what you meant." He let out a quick breath.

"Sorry. We weren't expecting you or I'd have been more prepared."

"Yeah it was very last minute."

"You're telling me. Bash said he'd be here 20 minutes ago and he's never late."

"Well, there's a first time for everything right?"