“I knew you’d see the light eventually.” He stops about ten feet away, close enough that I can see the cruel glint in his eyes. “They always do.”
They always do. How many women has he done this to?
“This has gone too far, Senator.” I force my voice to stay steady. “I’m sorry that I made you feel threatened. I assure you that I have no intention of saying anything more about this to anyone.”
He cocks a brow at me. They’re dark slashes above his light eyes. He looks the same as he always does—a dark suit that costs more than my apartment, his salt-and-pepper hair combed into a slick, unnatural shape.
But there’s something different tonight. Something coiled tight beneath the surface. Like a snake waiting to strike.
“Is that so?” He takes a step closer, and I have to lock my knees to keep from stepping back. “And how am I supposed to believe that?”
Stand your ground. He wants you scared. Don’t give him that.
“Because I have nothing to gain from fighting you.” I lift my chin slightly. “I’m a nobody. You said it yourself. Who’s going to believe me over a senator?”
Something flickers in his expression. Satisfaction, maybe. He likes hearing me say that.
Good. Keep him talking.
“I’m a generous man,” he says, moving closer still. The distance between us shrinks with every word. “I’ve been charitable with my money and where I spend it. And this is the thanks I get?”
When he takes another sudden step forward, I have to stifle a flinch. Alec is here. He’s right over there. I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe.
“I’m sorry. You’re right.” I make myself hold his gaze even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to run. “You were trying to be generous. I was… I was so wrong, Senator. Please. You don’t need to keep sending people after me. I get it.”
Come on. Say something about the people you sent. Say it.
McDowell scoffs, rolling his eyes. “If you found yourself in a shit situation, that’s on you. My career isn’t going to go down anytime soon,stripper.”
The word hits like a slap, but I don’t let myself react. He wants to hurt me. He wants to see me crumble.
Not tonight.
“You’re right,” I say quietly, and I take a step toward him instead of away. His eyes widen slightly—he wasn’t expecting that. “I’m just a stripper. I’m nothing. And at this point…” I let my voice drop, let it go soft and desperate. “I’m willing to doanythingto make this right.”
I know exactly what I’m doing. I know what he’ll hear in those words.
And I hate myself for saying them. But I need him to incriminate himself. I need him to think he’s won.
Theodore’s eyes flare wide, and something dark and hungry shifts behind them. He cocks his head, studying me like I’m something he might buy. When he takes a step toward me, leaving only a foot or two between us, I can smell his cologne.
Expensive. Suffocating.
The same cologne from that night on the yacht.
My stomach lurches, but I hold my ground.
“Anything?” He reaches out, and before I can brace myself, his hand shoots forward and grabs my wrist.
I yelp. I can’t help it.
His grip is crushing. He’s turning my arm backward, twisting it until pain shoots up to my shoulder and I start to crumple.
Time slows.
I can feel every one of his fingers digging into my skin. I can hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears—fast, too fast. The parking garage tilts around me, and all I can see is his face, twisted with rage.
“You think I’m going to just hop into the sack with you now?” He’s screaming, and flecks of spit hit my cheek as I duck away. “You think the people I sent didn’t report back that you’re shacking up with some guy?!”
