Page 47 of The Company

It’s almost… repulsion.

I’m just a lionfish.

What did he say to me back in Huntington? The pretty girl with the poison daggers poking through her skin.

That’s how he sees me. For real. He’s here for one of two reasons. To take me back to my father or to take me for himself. And I’m not sure I like either option. Because from the way it’s looking, he’s got no real feelings for me beyond what I can do for him.

I’m just a way forward into revenge.

I think back to the message from Nick. We’ll talk soon, he’d said. Nick is the one I trust. Not James. And if Nick knows where I am, then I’m not in any danger from James. Nick would not leave me some place to get hurt. He’d give me instructions to follow and get me to safety. So, if he didn’t give me bug-out instructions, I need to stay put.

I stick the little notebook in my pocket. I really do not want to have that conversation with James. At all. I don’t want to hear the excuses. I don’t want to hear the fake promises he has ready for me, should I stop being compliant. I don’t want to watch his face when he lies.

He will lie. I’ve always known he was lying, didn’t I? I’ve always felt it.

And when he does lie…

I reach into my pants and pull out the gun.

I’ll be ready.