him as hard as she could. His eyes darkened in anger, as he slowly rubbed his cheek. Looking at Lisa, he asked her if she had a ride home. At her nod, he scooped Sarah up throwing her over his shoulder and strode out of the club. Sarah tried to kick him, but he had a tight grip on her legs as he bounced her lightly on his shoulder to settle her.
She let out a burst of air as she put her hands together and began pummeling his back. But her efforts were completely ineffective as he ignored her and kept walking. Sarah knew that they were outside when she felt cool air on her legs. She was mortified at the way Vitaly was treating her and hoped that no one would recognize her.
She heard a car door open before she was unceremoniously dropped inside followed immediately by Vitaly. As the driver pulled away, Sarah crossed her arms and glared at him.
“What the fuck were you thinking with that caveman stunt you pulled?” Sarah demanded.
Crossing his arms, “So, have I graduated from Neanderthal to caveman or is that a demotion,” Vitaly questioned as he glared back at her.
“They are one and the same when you pull that macho shit. I don’t think I can go back there, now.”
“Good. I don’t want you going out anymore because clearly you exhibit poor judgment.”
“Excuse me? Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and cannot do on my own time!” Sarah demanded. “I’m your intern, Vitaly, NOT your spouse. And even if I WAS your spouse, you would not be dictating who I hang out with.”
Staring at her smugly, “Care to place bets on that?” At Sarah’s stare, he continued. “You should not be going to clubs alone.”
“I wasn’t alone.”
“You mean that boy? He had his hands all over you. He needed to be stopped.”
“I had everything under control,” Sarah shot back. “You misunderstood what was going on. And no, I wasn’t with him, I was with my friend, Lisa. Daniel happened to find us there.”
“You mean the blonde you were dancing with? She behaves worse than you do. You will not be seeing her anymore.”
“What part of, you cannot dictate who I can and cannot see, did you not understand?” Sarah demanded. “Lisa is one of my best friends and I would choose her over you, any day.”
“Is that so?”
“In a heartbeat.” Sarah looked out the window, “Where are we going?”
“My place.”
“Oh, no, I’m not,” Sarah declared as she reached for the door handle.
“Do not be so reckless as to endanger your own life by attempting to jump from a moving vehicle. We are going to my place. End. Of. Discussion.” Sarah sat back and continued to glare at him.
“Take me home.”
“No.”
“This is kidnapping.”
“It won’t be.”
“What is THAT supposed to mean?” They drove up a long driveway and pulled up in front of a large colonial style mansion. As Vitaly stepped out of the car, he held his hand out for Sarah to join him.
Leaning in, “If you like, I can pull you out the same way I put you in,” Vitaly said calmly as he waited for Sarah to comply. Sighing, Sarah climbed out of the car, but refused to touch him. As she stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway, she stared up at the giant house. “You like?”
Shrugging her shoulders, “Seems a bit much for only one person.”
“True, but I bought it for the view.” Turning around, Sarah took in the view of San Jose below them.
“Oh, wow.”
“Indeed.” Taking her by the elbow, Vitaly escorted her inside.
Sarah was completely overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the mansion and forgot that she was angry at Vitaly as she stared up at the four-story ceiling in the entryway. Vitaly had dropped his grip on her arm and stared at her in bemusement as she walked into the living room. She gasped when she saw the lights of the city outside the floor to ceiling windows.
Vitaly walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Do you like it?”
Sarah nodded, “Oh yes, the view is spectacular, but it
Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Blair Underwood