“I’m not going to make you do anything but go into the bedroom.” He studies me, lets me take in his words. “Have a bath. Relax. Kill will be here in a few hours.”
How is he so calm?
Without waiting for me to reply, he turns me, places me inside the room.
“Aspirin should be in the bathroom. A man will be posted outside if you need anything. But try not to need anything.”
“Wait!”
He’s closing the door, but I wrap my hands around it so he’s forced to stop.
He sighs, letting me know he’s irritated.
“Can I call my brother? I can’t just—”
“Don’t make this hard.”
His repeated words are a warning and I understand. I drop my hands and step back and watch the door close and lock and I don’t hold back the tears when they slide down my face this time because I’m trapped. I’m finished. And I don’t know if, once this month is up, I’ll be walking out of here at all.
4
Kill
It’s two in the morning when I get to the penthouse. I’ve been thinking about my pretty little captive all night. My dick’s been hard with all the things I plan to do with her in the next month.
Although how tonight went down still baffles me. Why did I react the way I did to her? It’s not like me. On the other hand, I’d rather fuck a beautiful woman than break some asshole’s legs.
I dismiss the man standing beside the girl’s door and pour myself a whiskey as I strip off my jacket and tie, and undo the top buttons of my black button down. I make my way down the hall to her room. Turn the key in the lock. Push the door open. The lights are still on but she must have been asleep because she startles awake. She’s still got her coat on and I spy the torn stockings on her feet. She rights herself. She must have been sitting up waiting for me. But I’m not fool enough to think she did it because she couldn’t wait for me to show up.
I stand back and sweep the arm that’s holding the drink toward the hallway. I’m wound up from the club. Need a little release before bed. There’s never a shortage of women willing to suck me off, but I saved myself for her tonight. I wonder if she’d be grateful if I told her.
I decide not to.
Meanwhile, she’s still sitting on the bed, arms folded across herself.
“You’re stubborn, aren’t you?”
She doesn’t reply with words, just a glare.
“Where’s my brother?”
“Safe.”
“How do I know?”
“I give you my word.”
“Like I said, how do I know?”
I feel my eyes narrow and bite back my response. She’s already scared, no need to terrify her. It’s right she’d have questions.
Only I don’t like being questioned.
I take a step inside and drain my glass, watching her as I do. “I guess you’ll have to trust me. What choice do you have?”
“I don’t. You took that away.”
“No, that’s not accurate. You decided. You chose. And you can walk out of here anytime you like.”
“At what price?”
“You can figure that out, can’t you?”
“My brother.”
“You’re smarter than him. I can already tell. Now get up.”
She drags her legs underneath her so she’s kneeling up. “I have a job, you know.”
“Good for you. I’m going to ask you nicely once more because you’re new here. Get. The. Fuck. Up.”
She considers, and I’m not sure if I’m disappointed that she does as I say and slides off the bed still holding her coat tight to her.
“Let’s go have a drink.” I stand aside, gesturing to the hallway again.
She moves, keeping her eyes on me as she passes and walks out into the hall.
I’m behind her, herding her to the living room. Once there, I pour her a whiskey and refresh mine. Handing it to her, I take a seat on the couch, leaning sideways, one arm splayed out over the back.
She stands awkwardly, holding her drink, unsure what to do.
“Drink it.”
She takes a swallow, squeezes her eyes shut as it burns her throat. I smile.
“All of it.”
She obviously isn’t a whiskey drinker but she’ll be more pliant with it in her. I wait while she drinks it down, making faces all along.
“Put the glass there.” I point to the side table.
She obeys.
“Now let’s see what’s under that coat.”
She starts trembling, her eyes going wide. They’re a pretty shade of green, their brightness a stark contrast under the thick bangs of her almost black hair.
“What are you going to do to me?”
“Right now, I’m just going to watch you strip. Don’t make me do it for you. You won’t like that. Understand?”
She nods, or it’s a tremble I mistake for a nod, but her hands move and she begins to unbutton her coat. It takes her a long time, she’s shaking so hard, but eventually, she manages, and slides it off, then holds it in front of her like she doesn’t know what to do with it.