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His chest rose and fell heavily with the deep breath he took. “You know I can’t do that…”
My jaw almost dropped. “Are you fucking kidding me? I could have let you die—”
“I know. But you need to understand that your parents took everything from me—”
“Your father took everything from you because he was a psychotic rapist. He kidnapped my aunt, raped her, and then he killed her right in front of my father. And then he raped my mother, who’s the best woman on this planet, and my father didn’t just let the past repeat itself. He did something about it and saved her. If you’re going to sit there and act like your father is the victim in all this—”
He raised his hand to silence me. “Baby, I understand—”
“Don’t fucking ‘baby’ me,” I hissed. “Leave my family alone. I saved your life so you could get revenge for your mother. You owe me, asshole. You fucking owe me. If your father wasn’t such a piece of shit, he would be alive right now. He wasn’t a good man, and we both know it. So shut up about it.”
His face remained stoic, and he didn’t get angry like he usually would. “I’ve heard you—loud and clear.”
“Then you’re a psychopath just like your father.” I crossed my arms over my chest so I wouldn’t smash the bottle over his skull. Now I really did want to him kill him.
“I have something else to offer you,” he said calmly.
“There’s nothing I want more than my family’s safety. That’s all I want—nothing else.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?” I countered. “What does that even mean?”
“You saved my life, and now I’ll spare yours. We’re even. I promise I’ll never hurt you, Vanessa. I’ll never lay a hand on you. I’ll never try to kill you. Regardless of how I feel about your family, you’re safe.”
I stopped breathing because the offer was tempting. I was always scared that he might change his mind and send me to the guillotine. Every day was a gift because he could take it away. But now I wouldn’t have to live with that fear anymore.
“And you’re also free.”
“Free?”
“You aren’t my prisoner anymore. You can do whatever you want. I don’t own you anymore.”
My life would be mine again.
“And then we’re even,” he said. “You have my word I’ll never go back on it.”
This man made me feel equally safe and equally scared, but now there was no reason to be afraid.
“You will always have my protection. If you need anything, I’ll be there for you. I’ll lay down my life to save yours. I’m committed for life. That’s what I offer you, baby. Your life and your freedom. I think that’s more than fair.”
The original arrangement was my servitude in exchange for my family’s safety. But now that that was off the table, what did that mean for them? “Then you’re going to kill them tomorrow? Next week? My freedom means nothing if I’m about to lose everyone I love.”
He held my gaze, his look cold.
I was so frustrated, I was on the verge of tears. I tried to see the good in this man, but I was starting to realize there was none. He was blinded by his hate, condemned to suffer forever because he didn’t know how else to live. It didn’t matter how much I gave him, he would never appreciate it. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, and two tears started to run down my cheeks. “I don’t understand you. I’ve given you everything. I’ve spared your life many times. But that’s never enough for you. There’s more to you than this blood lust. There’s more to you than all this hate. I know there is…”
His eyes shifted down. “There’s not, Vanessa. I’m sorry I misled you.”
“You didn’t mislead me. You’re misleading yourself.”
His eyes moved up again.
“I wish I’d let you die. I wish…” More tears came. “It doesn’t matter what I wish.” I rose from the chair and walked to the entryway. I’d left my phone and belongings behind, but I didn’t care. He could keep my paintings, keep my phone and wallet and everything else I owned.
It meant nothing to me anymore.
“Where are you going?” he asked, not rising from his seat.
I didn’t turn around before I got inside the elevator. “You said I was free. It’s none of your damn business where I’m going.” I hit the button and forced the doors to close so I wouldn’t have to look at him ever again.
Once the doors were shut and I had my privacy, I let the tears out. I thought this man had more inside that hollow chest, but now I knew he was as evil as he’d always claimed. I couldn’t stop him. Even saving his life wouldn’t change his mind.
