"I don't pull guns on you."
"No. You're worse. You lie and stalk."
"He was spying on your apartment first. I shut that down."
I stare at him for the longest time, my pulse hammering as my blood pressure rises. "And you didn't tell me. You just used his spying to spy on me instead."
"To protect you."
"Is that like murder to stop a stubbed toe from hurting?"
He glares at me. "You're not going anywhere. I got you pho and summer rolls."
More bribery.
I don't respond to him, even as my tummy rumbles.
"And I got you toiletries. Nice ones. Clothes, too."
"Oh, good. I can dress up for... no one at all. I'm not getting changed or showering because I think your quota of free peep shows is more than full."
He slams a hand against the table where the food is, and the package jumps. "I don't have cameras in my house. I don't need them. The room is camera-free."
"And how do I know that?"
"You'll just have to trust me."
I narrow my eyes. "Because that worked so well last time."
"That's a you problem, Lola."
"I think it's more of a you thing."
"Then stay in here for all I care."
"Good."
"Great." He prowls the room.
And I yawn.
He glares at me. "You're such a fucking child."
"So are you. Locking me up?—"
"You're locked up for your own good. And you'll stay this way until I can be sure you're not going to run a second time. Hitchhiking? You could have been raped, killed, sold into sex slavery."
I offer a sugary smile. "Is that what you do?"
"No. I make concrete heels for loud-mouthed females named Lola who fight me when I'm trying to protect them."
"Some say protect. Others say stalk."
He goes to say something but clearly realizes this isn't a battle he can win.
"For fuck's sake." He turns, using his thumbprint to get out of the room.
Satisfaction fills me as he slams the door behind him.
