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But then I think of the version of the Beast that was sitting across from me at dinner. The talks we had. How highly his staff speak of him. How much Dr. Williams loves him.
He couldn’t be capable of something like this, could he?
My past creeps up the back of my neck, circling my mind like a black cloud. I ignored suspicions about a man before and it almost got someone I love killed. I can’t ignore what I saw. I need to find out the truth.
I will never, ever be the person who is responsible for having someone hurt this family.
Not again.
I need to confront him. Get the truth out of him. Find a way to interrogate him. He’s so much stronger than me, the only way to do this is to flip the power script. I need to be in control of him for once.
What’s his weakness? His Achilles heel?
I think hard until the answer hits me.
Me.
I’mhis weakness. He gets around me and he can’t control himself. I’m going to seduce him, then somehow, lock him up and force him to answer my questions.
There have to be some handcuffs around this place. I’ll find them and tell him I want to play, that I like when he’s in control, but I want a turn. Then I’ll lock his wrists to a bedpost. And I won’t let him go till he answers my questions.
I need help. I need Ashely. I pick up the landline on the desk, dialing the number to her office.
She answers with a chipper, “Hello, Charlie! What can I do for you?” Thank goodness she’s working late.
“Hey, Ashely. Sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help me gather a few supplies." I ignore the heat that rises in my face as I list off what I want.
Professional to the core, she answers my strange request with, “Yes, ma’am! I’ll be right up with all of those items. See you soon.”
Twenty minutes later, Ashely is standing at my bedroom door, a discreet black bag hanging from her hands. I thank her, inviting her in.
She sets the bag on the desk and gives it a pat. “Everything you need is right in here. Anything else?”
Nerves make me queasy, but I press forward. I need to ask this question. “Yeah. Just one thing. Um, Ashely?”
“Yes?”
“Quick question.”
“Okay…” She smiles. “What is it?”
I take a deep breath, gathering my courage. A beat later I just come out and say it. “Do you know anything about the boathouse?”
A flicker of recognition passes over her face, but she quickly pulls her features back together. “Oh yes! I heard you had the most amazing date there. Dinner on the boat? So romantic—”
I drop my tone. “Not that boathouse, Ashely.”
Her face goes dark, her eyes dropping from my face to the toes of her shoes. She’s quiet for a moment, thinking of what she’s going to say. Finally, she looks back up at me. “I don’t know what goes on at the boathouse. But I know enough to know to stay away.” She glances pointedly at the black hoodie, sweatpants, and sneakers I left discarded in the armchair by the fire. “And I suggest you stay away too. At all costs.”
She knows about my snooping. I don’t know what to say…
She brings a false brightness into her glued-on professional smile. “Anything else I can do for you before I turn in for the night?”
Either she really doesn’t know anything, or she’s scared. I’m not going to push her. I shake my head. “No. Thank you for the… supplies.”
“Of course.” She shoots me a smile-less wink and a little goodbye waggle of her fingers. “Have fun!”
The moment the door shuts behind her, I get to work.
