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“You say she was calm? She wouldn’t let me get within arm’s reach of her. Kept kicking out and trying to scratch me with her free hand.”
“Really?” I fall back in my chair, trying and failing to match this new image with the shy milkmaid from earlier. Must have been the sedative after all.
Pity.
The doctor hums and strolls to the nearest bookcase. “What has the Governor said?”
“Nothing yet.” Snatching up a pen, I tap the end on my desk. I’ve been waiting for his response, for threats, for anything. Instead, there’s been radio silence.
“If he gets the police involved,” Raul begins, “or the FBI—”
“He won’t.” Governor Edwards is as dirty as they come, and I made sure to express that knowledge in the holiday card I left in his home. He won’t risk his precious reputation—not for anyone, and for Erin least of all. “But he’ll dosomething.Step up security, especially around the girls.”
“Done.”
“And tell the kitchens to send me up a bathtub of coffee.”
Raul’s mouth twitches and he nods. “Alright. Or you could try this newfangled thing called sleep…”
As if it is truly that easy for everyone. Head meets pillow. Off to slumber land. For fuck’s sake.
“Raul, if you say one more stupid thing to me this morning, I will shoot you myself.”
Another nod, brisker this time. The humor’s gone from the doctor’s eyes, and I feel another flash of that burning sensation in my chest. Am I getting ill?
“I’ll nudge him along through the day. Ruin a few investments, halt his supply chains, etc. Maybe trouble his donors. Poke him until he responds.”
“Then I’ll send up that coffee.” The doctor turns to go. I’m scowling at his back when he pauses with one hand on the door knob and looks back. “You’ll need to assign someone to her personal care. Don’t forget you’ve tied her to the bed frame, Santo. She’ll need the bathroom, the same as any other human.”
“Yes, obviously,” I say, though I had not in fact thought of that. God, this is why I don’t keep animals. Too much fucking caretaking. “I’ll see to it.”
Raul leaves without another word, and I’m left in the muted silence of my office. My shirt collar feels too tight, and I tug at the fabric.
Who do I trust with Erin Edwards’ personal care?
I tug harder. There must be someone.
Two
Erin
Well, chalk this up as the worst Christmas ever. Sure, the big event is still a few days away, but something tells me I’ll either still be tied to this bed frame by then, or worse. Hopefully not buried beneath those snow-heaped rose bushes I can see through the window, but there are no guarantees.
How did I get here? Iknowmy father is shady as hell, though I’ve never learned any details, obviously. God forbid anyone keep me in the loop. But less than twenty four hours ago, I was planning my secret escape from this life, my working VISA to Australia already confirmed and my passport renewed. Instead…
“Come on,” I growl, tugging on the blue silk that lashes me to the bed frame. “Comeon.” Every time I pull on it, the knot around my wrist grows a little tighter, just like the kingpin warned, my fingertips tingling. But I can’tnotfight. That’d be like giving up before we’ve even begun.
I need to get away from all this bullshit. Crime bosses and politicians and my horrible family. Gala events and polo matches. All of it.
I will survive this, and then I’m going to disappear down under as planned. Start a new life as a whole new Erin. Unsheltered and free.
Just as soon as I escape this pickle I’m in.
A brain wave makes me sit up straight, and I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before. Blame whatever drug they gave me, I guess, or the panic of waking up to an icy mob boss watching me sleep, because this is so freaking obvious.
I rearrange myself on the bed, cross legged on the pillows, then bring the silk tie between my teeth—and start gnawing.
It’s… less effective than I hoped. I scowl and keep chewing, grinding the slippery fabric between my teeth, eyes fixed on the door. My throat is dry, my jaw aching, but I keep going, ignoring the drool soaking into the fabric. Gross.
