Nick comes to my side, with one arm tucked under the horse’s neck, stroking it. “Winston Churchill once said there’s something about the outside of the horse that’s good for the inside of a man, and he was right. If the things that you’ve been through were serious enough for you to want to take your own life, you could benefit from horse therapy.”
I stop dead in my tracks, unsure of what to do or say. I’d be stupid to think this conversation wouldn’t happen eventually even though I hoped it wouldn’t.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but you’re going to have do some healing on the inside before you come to work for me. That’s not negotiable.” He towers over me like the intimidating dominant male I first met.
Why does he want to corner me like this? I feel like a petulant child who is being scolded for their bad behavior, even though he told me there is nothing to be ashamed of.
“I’ve arranged for a private therapist to come here twice a week to speak with you. You will also work with the horses every day as their personal caretaker. You will feed them, bathe them, clean their stalls, and make sure they get their exercise. Whether it be taking them to the walker, the pool, or to the track to be breezed. Ethan will show you how to do everything.” His tone is clipped and to the point.
His offer doesn’t sound bad. In fact, it’s more than reasonable and more than anyone has ever offered me, but I am not backing down from him. He told me not too.
“I appreciate the offer but there’s no need in ordering me around like a child. You can simply ask or discuss it with me.” Why are the hot ones always such assholes?
“Is that so, Maya? Don’t forget why you’re here.” Any trace of the mellow person he’s been all day is gone. My own temper flares in response.
“You won’t let me forget, will you? You seem to mention it quite often.” Why is it every time someone does something nice for me, they have to throw it in my face? I briefly consider stabbing him in the chest with the sharp end of the hoof pick then making a run for it.
“In order for you to heal, you’re going to have to face consequences and take responsibilities for your actions.” He stands tall and threatening.
Does he honestly think I haven’t struggled with that every single day? He can’t be fucking serious. I’m not cowering to him.
“I jumped off a fucking bridge to get away from assholes like you! Is that admission enough for you or should I say it again and again until it sinks in? I don’t owe you for saving my life, Nick, no matter how hard you try to spin it that way.” I fight back the angry tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
“Jumping off the bridge wasn’t the only thing you did, Maya. What happened with your father? Why are the police looking for you? You were running from something.” His eyes darken, burning with rage.
“What happened with my father is none of your business.” It’s not anyone’s business but mine. I live with the scars nobody can see from what he did and allowed his friends to do to me.
“It’s not? Who took you in, gave you a new identity, opportunity, and is staging your death to cover up YOUR discrepancies? You should thank me.” His stare is so cold he could freeze fire.
Thank him? Fuckingthankhim? He’s delusional. I don’t owe anyone thanks for something I didn’t want.
“Again, I didn’t ask for ANY of it.” I throw my hands up, expressing my point even harder so maybe he will get it through his thick skull. “You did all that without consulting with me. This is my life, I want a say. Why are you doing this to me?” I stand there dumbfounded, full of rage, anger, and sadness.
It was just a few short hours ago I was standing at the kitchen sink, hopeful for my future for the first time in my life and now it is all crashing down on me. Big fucking surprise.
“My apologies, ma’am.” He takes a stupid bow and I’d really like to kick him in the face. “Did you, or did you not, agree to work for me this morning as long as you could use your identity to enroll in classes after?”
“I did.” My voice trembles, oozing with regret. The atmosphere was so much different this morning. I don’t do well in hostile environments.
“I require the best from my employees. You’re going to have to manipulate people and pretend to be someone else to get information from dangerous people. You’ll need to be you operating as thebestversion of yourself before you pretend to be someone you’re not. Make no mistake about it, I’m not a nice person, cupcake, and if you’re going to do a job for me, I expect nothing less than your best as well. That’s not negotiable.” His voice raises a few levels, affirming his seriousness.
“And if I refuse?” I tremble, more with anger than fear.
He stares at me for a few long seconds, no doubt choosing his next words wisely. “You won’t.”
He’s trying to call my bluff. Fuck him.
“Wanna bet? Take your stupid job and shove it up your ass. I’m out of here.” I storm off towards the house to get the few personal items I have. “Oh, and I’m not you’re fucking cupcake!” The tears finally fall.
“Rivers! Wait up!” Ethan calls from behind me.
I don’t look back as I pick up my pace and sprint towards the house. I’m leaving here and not looking back. To hell with them.
Chapter 13
Maya
My legs give out as soon as I reach the grand staircase, my lungs burn, desperately trying to fill with oxygen. I’m getting better every day from my secondary drowning incident, but like everything else in my life, it’s one step forward and two steps back.
