“Fair enough.What’s your number?”he asks.
“Like my phone number?”
“The number you need so you can leave town.Your expenses, your education.There’s no way you haven’t tallied all that up.”
Of course I have.I’ve got my ideal scenario, a more moderate scenario, and a worst-case scenario.What I don’t have is any idea how feasible meeting any of them is.
It’s an awful lot of money I’m looking for.What if nobody thinks I’m worth it?
I take a breath.“I’m not sure it’s realistic, but fifty or a hundred thousand would allow me to move someplace with a lower cost of living, give me time to find a job, and work until either I’ve got some money saved or I can get access to my trust fund when I turn twenty-five.Maybe even put a down payment on a small house.”Growing up, we moved a few times.Then I moved again, to live with Liam.It’s kind of a dream, finding a place to stay put.
“Brennan thinks I can get a million,” I add, as nerves twang in my body like guitar strings.Even saying it sounds outrageous.“That would be even better.He could be wrong, though.I don’t think it’s safe to assume either way.”
When Channing lets out a shocked laugh, I’ll admit it stings.
“A million?You’re hoping for a million.”
Well, that’s hurtful.It’s one thing for me to worry I’m not going to get what I want.It’s another to be laughed at for saying my wants out loud.
“There’s no need to be rude.”I may know I’m not worth that much, but what’s so wrong with hoping?
Channing takes a step, looking down his perfectly shaped nose at me.I refuse to back up though.I don’t need him thinking I’m scared.
I’m not.I’m not scared.
“Hey, chill.You’re a good-looking guy.Not my type, okay?I want to know when I go all out fucking someone I won’t accidentally launch them across the room.”
The last thing I expected was to laugh today.“I guess that’s fair.So?”
“So, I may not be into you, but my vision works fine.That nice tight body of yours?Gorgeous brown skin, a killer smile.Chin dimple and all.Don’t get me started on the nerdy glasses.Eyes like a baby lemur.Hell, I could give you a long list of people who’d be willing to pay to have those eyelashes.If you think the rich pervs won’t open their bank accounts nice and wide to be the first to plant their flag in you, you’re on something.”
Um.
I fight not to squirm.Am I supposed to be offended or flattered right now?
He reaches out with one big paw and pokes me in the shoulder.“You?Need to be thinking a lot bigger.”
“You think I can get more than fifty grand?”That guy from the party pops into my head.In all the, uh, shenanigans that happened after, I’d nearly forgotten.“Some guy at this party… I don’t think he was even serious, but he offered me two million to skip the auction.I said no.Even if it was legit, Brennan would rage.The guy seemed kind of slimy, so I doubt it was a real offer.But… you think I could get that much?”
Channing’s quiet for long enough that I have to fight not to squirm.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
His expression turns serious.“That’s the exact sort of reason why Mr.Corvus wants you guarded.”The way he leans in close to my ear, it’s only the fact that he already said he’s not interested that makes me think it’s not some weird kind of flirting.“You poor, naive little puppy.When I say you need to think bigger, I mean a hell of a lot bigger.Because that guy?He was trying to get you at a bargain.”
Chapter Thirteen
Liam
After spendinga few days running surveillance on every one of Ravi’s friends, known associates, and even a classmate who texted about borrowing his macroeconomics notes, I’m coming up empty on his location.
Sunday morning I scoped out the diner where he and his friends like to have brunch, but for the first time since he started going, he wasn’t there.Perhaps he knew I’d be looking for him.
I’ll get him eventually.Finding people is what I do.It’s the not knowing that’s making my head hurt.
Like a fucking addict, I keep going back to that email Bev hasn’t managed to pin down.Letting it fuel my terror and my rage.Soothing myself by plotting the death of a faceless stranger.The idea that someone out there is seeing Ravi as theirs, as some sort of possession or plaything, has me sharpening my knives every night as the vague threat eats at me from the inside.
Isn’t that how you see him?
