“Fine,” I reply, glad at least my voice doesn’t shake.
I need to get back to bed. Now.
Exhaling deeply, I stand and grab the hood from the desk. His eyes follow me the entire way, imploring me not to do it. Empathy is literally seeping out of my hand, but I don’t hesitate to put it on. He’s good at hiding his emotions, but I’m sure this is working. It won’t take long with the hood on before he starts to crack.
He saw me crack, something few have seen. Well, few living people anyway.
I’ll get his story quickly enough.
I grab another bottle of vodka and a first aid kit on my way upstairs then send a text to the kitchen to send me some snacks.
I know I’m not getting any more sleep tonight.
Chapter 7
Sin
I’m not reallysure how long I’ve slept when the increasingly familiar sound of high heels jerks me awake. This isn’t the first time in my life I’ve been grateful for the fortitude I’ve developed over the years. Even now, after days of almost no sleep or water, my body is still strong. Since being in this office, they’ve taken me to the bathroom and given me just one small glass of water twice a day, that’s it. The discomfort of hunger and lack of sleep are ones I’ve long since learned to ignore. What I can’t ignore is the feeling of confinement.
I knew they’d keep me locked up when I planned this mission, but I hadn’t anticipated the ginger-bitch would read me so quickly or easily. Had she left me like I was downstairs, I probably wouldn’t have batted an eye for days. Tied like I am now with the hood, though.…
I’m a man who will own his shit, I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong, so I’ll own that I underestimated her. Hadn’t believed a woman could be as ruthless or as smart as the stories I’d heard, but my convictions are changing rapidly.
The clicking heels stop outside the door followed by the sound of the lock turning. I can tell when the lights are turned on by the change of the shadows falling across the hood, a hint of light at the bottom showing through.
Click, click, clickacross the floor.
Sound of a chair being moved back on the stone floor.
A mug or cup of some kind being placed on a desk.
A drawer being opened then closed.
A whirring computer fan turning on.
Without sight, I let the sounds take over, telling me what’s happening.
I wonder how she looks today?
Watching her last night was incredible. The rage that came from nowhere was hotter than anything I’ve ever seen. Even now, my dick gets hard thinking about the rise and fall of that milky white chest, heaving with the pain of whatever haunts her.
I don’t break down like that anymore, but there was a time.
And I can’t wait to find out what it is that made this woman crack. Then use it to break her past the point of repair.
“Hannah, bring up today’s files,” her voice says before I hear the click of a button. Minutes pass, and I listen as she types on her computer, rifles through papers, and sips her drink. Is it vodka again?
A knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The rapid tap of heels.
“Here you go, ma’am. And this arrived for you this morning as well.”
“Thanks.” Ginger’s voice doesn’t sound pleased at what she received.
A whisper, too quiet to hear.