Because I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for him to demand the things I know he bought me for.
Sex. Obedience. Whatever dark things men like him want.
But he just... watches.
On the fourth day, I break.
"What do you want from me?" I ask at breakfast.
He looks up from his newspaper. "Excuse me?"
"You bought me. You brought me here. But you haven't... you don't..."
I can't finish the sentence.
Understanding crosses his face.
"I told you," he says. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"But you want something."
"Yes."
"What?"
He folds the newspaper.
Sets it aside and gives me his full attention.
"I want you to trust me," he says.
I almost laugh. "Trust you?"
"Eventually."
"Why would I ever trust you?"
"Because I'm patient. And because eventually, you'll realize that I'm the safest thing in your world right now."
"You're my captor."
"I'm your protection."
"From what?"
"From everything out there." He gestures vaguely toward the windows. "The Consortium. The auction. The men who would have bought you if I hadn't. Your father. The Sanctuary. Elder Jacob."
The name hits me like a slap.
"How do you know about Elder Jacob?"
"Your file was very thorough."
"Stop saying that."
"It's true."
I stand.
