She’s not for me. Tess is far too young, and she’s sweet. The last thing she deserves is someone with all the morals of a hungry wolf. A predator.
I’m just keeping her until I figure out what to do with her. I’m even wearing jeans and a T-shirt that I keep for my hobby, rather than my usual tailored suit for day-to-day mafia business. It feels awkward, but it’s far better for running in.
“You can stay here, until it’s safe, but inside. And difficult captives don’t get e-readers and croissants for breakfast.” Well,that’s a lie. Now I’ve seen her expression eating a sweet treat, I could never deny her. “Or you can have what you want. Another chance to escape. A fair chance this time.”
She narrows her eyes. “One thing, but it can be anything?”
“Yes.”
“My freedom?” she asks suspiciously.
“Of course.”
“What if I ask for my one thing to be three things? Because I’d need to ask for you to let me go, but I’d also need transport back to London, and a guarantee you won’t send anyone else after me, or hurt me another way.”
I’m glad I’m wearing the mask, because behind it, I’m grinning. “Like a cheat with a genie? Clever. Such modest ambitions, though,” I taunt her. “You can have more. Why not five wishes? I’m obscenely wealthy.”
“I’m not greedy,” she says quietly.
“Three favours, then.”
“It’s possible to get to the far wall on foot?” she checks, and I nod. “And you’ll give me a decent head start?”
“Yes.”
She scowls. “You’re going to cheat.”
I nod. “Of course. You’re the prey, I’m the predator. That’s how it works, lapochka. You don’t know these paths, and I do. But I promise you that if you follow a path long enough, it will lead to the far wall.” I explain the layout of the tracks, and how to take the quickest route to her goal, even pulling out my phone and showing her the route on satellite view. And I tell the truth, though she side-eyes me suspiciously.
“I still think this is unfair. You wouldn’t have won without the advantage. I had to unlock the door, and that was tricky. You only have to catch me.”
“I don’t normally allow my captives to dictate terms,” I say dryly. But then, she’s unique. And she’s a courageous little thing,not backing down when I stare at her. My brain whirs. This has potential.
“What if I have to do something difficult? Not just grab you.”
“Yes.” She’s nodding. “Maybe if you?—”
“Have to kiss you.”
She gasps.
Then there’s silence as she mulls this over.
“What do you get if you catch me?” she says eventually.
I raise one eyebrow. “It’s only fair I get three favours from you, hmm?”
“You could just do whatever you want anyway.” The tilt of her chin is deliciously defiant. “Why do you want to do this?”
Because she needs it, and whatever she wants, I do too.
“What sort of monster do you take me for?” I try to sound innocent.
“A murdery one.”
“Apparently today, I’m a kissy one.”
Her lips tug up, but there’s still fear in her eyes. And determination. “Not if I win, you’re not.”
