“Come to taunt me? Or maybe you want to spank me again?”
His lips twist into a perverted smile. “I’d love to spank you again.” He glances at the open cell door. “But not here.”
“Where then?” I don’t know why I’m goading him. But I’m suddenly extremely pissed off, and all I want to do is hit something. Or someone, maybe him.
The man I pickpocketed last night crouches in front of me so we are eyelevel. It’s the first real look I get of him. Of all his features. He’s older, that’s for sure. But handsome in that Christian Bale,American Psychokind of way. Well-dressed with danger dancing in his sharp emerald eyes.
He doesn’t speak; he just balances in front of me as he looks me over. As he measures me up.
I don’t know how to react, so I just stay crunched in my safe little ball.
“How old are you?” he finally asks, his voice as smooth as silk.
“Fourteen,” I answer hesitantly.
“That young?” His facial expression doesn’t match the surprise in his tone. “I thought at least sixteen. Your smart mouth ages you. And your spirit, and your long, blonde hair.” He musingly pulls a strand through his fingers as I jerk my head away. “You’re very pretty.”
I don’t say a word. I’ve been told that before. And it always means the same damn thing. Images of last night flash through my mind like destructive lightning.
“Go away. Leave me alone,” I hiss.
“But you haven’t heard my proposition.”
“I’m sure whatever it is, I’m not interested.” I’m no whore. I’m not selling myself for him or anyone else.
“You sure about that? You don’t seem to have many options at the moment.” He alludes to my current situation.
“You can drop the charges. There’s an option.”
“It may be.”
I perk up at the sound of that.
“What do you want?” I ask cautiously.
“A name.”
“Any name?” I smart off.
“Your name.” His eyes narrow. He’s not interested in any of my shit. I wish I wasn’t interested in anything he had to say. “Well?” The man clearly doesn’t like to wait.
“Stephanie,” I reluctantly divulge. “But everyone calls me Stevie.”
“Mmm”—he continues to analyze me—“Stevie. I like it.”
“So happy it pleases you,” I sneer.
“You have quite the chip on your shoulder,Stevie.”The way my name rolls off his tongue is nerve-wracking. If he knew what I went through last night, he’d understand. He’d understand that I want nothing to do with him or any sick, perverted trade agreement he’s going to offer.
“Please, just leave me alone.” I drop my forehead against my knees and will him away.
“You’d rather rot in this jail cell than hear what I have to say?”
“Only if you’re going to offer me my freedom without me having to spread my legs.”
Silence.
That’s what I thought.
