“I was hoping that you’d be able to tell me. Has he told you anything about his plan?”
His plan is to keep me. His plan is to fuck me. His plan is to hurt me.
But I can’t tell my dad that. He’s not well. He doesn’t need the stress of hearing something sick like that.
“Mr. Broussard told me that he wants to keep me around as his companion. Like a live-in friend to talk to and share meals with when he isn’t working. Basically, just someone to keep him company so he isn’t so lonely.”
“And you believe that?”
I have to convince my dad that I’ll be okay.
“I believe him. He means me no harm. He’s just lonely and looking for friendship. He knows that I owe him, and he’s using that as a way to force a companionship on me.”
“Are you sure that’s all he wants from you?”
“I’m positive.” I’ve never told a blacker lie in my life. I wouldn’t be shocked if my tongue turned to ash and I choked on it. “This is what’s going to happen. You’re going to go home and rest. And you’re going to stop worrying. It isn’t good for you or your condition.”
“How do I not worry about my baby girl when she’s being held against her will?”
“Technically, I’m not being held against my will. The doors are unlocked. I can walk out of here anytime I want.” But with harsh consequences.
“Maybe you aren’t locked up, but he’s imprisoning you inside an invisible cell. That’s almost as bad.”
“He’ll tire of me soon enough, and my debt will be paid because I stayed. It’ll be fine, Dad.”
The door opens and Tristan’s body fills most of the frame, making me realize just how big he really is. “Time’s up.”
I lean in and my dad embraces me. He squeezes me hard, as hard as his deteriorating muscles will allow, and places a kiss against my forehead. I feel like his little girl again, the one he used to comfort after she woke from a nightmare about monsters. But I won’t be waking from this nightmare. This evil monster is real. And I’m completely at his mercy.
Ray shows my father to the door, and Tristan escorts me to the formal dining room. He’s still wearing the suit he wore to work, and I’m dressed as though I’m ready to hit the town.
Formal dinner at home. I’ve never seen the reason behind it. I prefer to be casual and eat at the kitchen bar while watching television.
“I hope that you like shrimp and grits.”
I actually do. “It’s one of my favorite dishes.”
“Ray is an excellent cook. You can tell him what you like, and he’ll be happy to prepare it for you.”
I’m here under the most bizarre of circumstances, yet he’s speaking to me as though everything about my having dinner with him tonight is ordinary. As if he invited me over and I walked into his home of my own free will.
And it really pisses me off.
I look at the glass of wine next to my plate. “This one isn’t drugged?”
He chuckles. “No. It’s only wine.”
I’m not sure that I believe him. He’s not given me a reason to.
“Would you like to trade glasses with me?” He lifts his and holds it out in my direction. “I’m happy to swap if you like.”
I look at him, studying the expression on his face. Wondering if he would have drugged his wine instead of mine in anticipation of my hesitancy. Is he that intelligent? Something tells me that he is, but I don’t think that I’m in a position where he’d feel the need to drug me again. What would be the purpose?
“No. I believe that this one is fine.”
I lift the glass and take a drink. I’ll soon find out if I’ve placed too much trust in him.
“Where have you brought me?”
