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“You don’t know me.”
“Then tell me everything. Show me who Lori is, and I’ll tell you about myself.”
“You’ll want something though. Everyone always wants something.”
She lifted her head up, and he offered her a smile. Why did she feel so comfortable with him? He’d admitted he killed and it was what he did for a living, but she felt comfortable with him. Safe.
“Don’t leave. Don’t try to run. That’s all I ask.”
“Really? Out of everything you could have or want, you just don’t want me to run away?” she asked.
“No. I want you to give us both this chance. I won’t hurt you. I won’t even touch you. I just … I’d like to know you.”
“No one cares who I am.”
His palm cupped her cheek, the pad of his thumb rough against her skin as he stroked her skin. “I care. It’s why I want you all to myself.”
She rested her cheek against his touch, closing her eyes as she did so. “Yes.”
“What?”
“I promise I won’t run, but you’ve got to let me outside at least once. I promise I won’t scream or beg for attention. We could just walk up and down the street.”
“Why does going outside mean so much to you?” he asked.
“Because it’s something I’ve always done. If Mom and Dad were fighting, I’d leave the tiny flat, and go sit on the swings near where we lived. If the smell was too much, sleeping outside wasn’t a problem. It helped me think.”
He sighed. “We’ll go out after you’ve eaten something, and it’s dark.”
“Why do we have to go out in the dark?” she asked.
“I don’t like the day very much, and to relax, there has to be at least a little darkness. In my life, shadows are a comfort.”
“This is so strange. I guess you’re the bogeyman, aren’t you?”
“You’re quite comfortable in my lap. Is that not strange to you?”
She stared at him, and he did the same right back at her. “We’re both strange.”
He winked at her. “Are you going to cry again?” he asked.
“No, I’m all cried out.”
“I don’t want to see you cry, not for them, not for anything. It hurts me.” He rubbed at his chest, and she melted. Already he cared enough not to see her cry.
Chains climbed out of the tub first, grabbing a towel, which he held open in an offering. “Are you ready to come out, princess?”
She giggled, cautiously stepping up, and into the towel. Each little act that showed he cared filled her with such warmth. She was growing addicted to his touch, to the way he spoke and cared about her. Lori prayed it wasn’t an elaborate act because she’d never been a great judge of character when it came to men.
He nev
er raised his voice either. She appreciated that. It was a rest for her soul not having to walk on eggshells all the time.
He led her out into the bedroom. She found some clothes already waiting for her. “I’ll have food ready downstairs.”
She watched him leave, and knew instantly this was a test. If she tried to run for it, she’d go back to the basement, and wait until he built up some trust. She quickly got changed, and found herself across from a large mirror with an elaborate gold leaf frame. The clothes fit perfectly, and rather than making her look fat, they fit to every curve as if they’d been designed her for.
Looking into her own eyes at her reflection she seemed … happy. How weird was that? Alone with a man she barely knew who’d been taking care of her, and she was happy. None of this made any sense to her, and yet it did.
