Page 29 of Tease Me


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LUCINDA

I’m trapped here with them, at their mercy, I know that now. I knew it before, but I had to see how strong I was. I needed to know if I could make it on my own. I should have known that I couldn’t. I’ve been looked after all my life, not living in the real world. What made me think I could make it was sheer bloody-mindedness and fear. I could have ended up dead. I would have if Dacre hadn’t come looking for me. I suppose I should be appreciative, but in the few hours we’ve been back, he’s barely said a word to me. The few words he has spoken have been dismissive. I’m a burden to him. He’s made it crystal clear that he doesn’t want me here, which is fine because I don’t want to be here, except neither of us are getting their own way and won’t until my father decides to come back to the US. It could be in a week. It could be in two. Knowing my father, he might never come back. He certainly wouldn’t come back for me. I switch the TV from my soap opera to the news channel. I’ve been listening to it more frequently, hoping for good news. Hoping for a miracle. I don’t even know what good news sounds like. My father dying of a massive heart attack, perhaps. The news that they’ve called off the search.

My heart leaps slightly when the anchor mentions Lucinda Waldgrave. I’ve learned in the last few days not to become too hopeful, but my ears perk up, anyway.

“The search continues for socialite Lucinda Waldgrave. With no leads, the police say they are now casting the net wider and are appealing for any information anyone may have. It’s also come to the network’s attention that police have been seen combing the forest near Waldgrave House with specially trained police dogs. Are they searching for a body? We will bring more information to you when we have it. Now on to...”

I switch the channel back to the comfort of my soaps. My heart is pounding, but I can’t let Dacre know how much the news has affected me. If they are searching the forest, it won’t be long before they come upon my mother’s old cabin. I left my bag there with all my clothes. I left everything I cared about in the world in that cabin.

My stomach growls and I realize I’ve not eaten since yesterday. Dacre’s care of me only extended to keeping me alive, not keeping me comfortable. He wouldn’t want to see his thirty million die away. I know there’s no point asking him for food, so I head to the kitchen, determined to do one thing for myself.

“Hey!” Dacre’s voice calls out from the bedroom. He’s beside me in half a second. “Where do you think you are going?

“I’m hungry. I was going to make myself some lunch... breakfast?” I have no idea what time it is, only that it’s way past time I should have eaten.

“I’ve locked the door to the terrace and don’t even think about trying to climb out of your bedroom window again.”

“To end up with hypothermia like last time,” I say, irritated. I know I’m a prisoner here. There’s no need for him to remind me of it. He could leave the front door open and sprinkle the way out with rose petals, and I still wouldn’t venture out alone. Not after last night. I tested my limits and found that I was useless. I don’t need the reminder of how inept I am. How utterly pathetic and dependent I am on these men.

“Don’t try anything.”

“I was going to get myself some cereal,” I snap. “You think you’ll let me do that without supervision?” It’s a small triumph, but I manage to find a bowl and the cereal box without his help.

A phone rings and the oppressive tension dissipates as Dacre walks away.

“What?” he snaps down the phone. I let out a breath when I hear how far away he is. He’s on the other side of the apartment. I feel for the top of the cereal box, and with my other hand on one of the bowls, I pour the cereal in, feeling for the bowl filling up.

“Awfully Sorry, Mr. Letterman, I was shouting at my dog.”

So I’m a dog now? The cadence of his voice changes and his English accent becomes more pronounced. I listen in as I fill another bowl with cereal, then add milk. He’s a dick, but I don’t think he’s eaten all day either.

“Tonight? I thought that was only for members of the firm... Yes sir... It’s an honor.”

I pour the milk into one of the bowls and pick up a spoon and begin to eat. It’s hard to equate the simpering tones Dacre is using to the asshole I know he is.

“Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

I pour milk into the other bowl when I hear him moving toward me.

“I have to go out tonight,” he snaps, and I know he’s talking to me again. His voice is so much rougher. I hear the bowl of cereal scrape across the kitchen counter, then the metallic clink of the spoon hitting the china.

My heart lifts for a second. If he goes out, I’ll have the apartment to myself. I won’t try to run again, but I will snoop around. When this is all over, no matter how it ends, I need to have something on these men. Some leverage beyond the money they think I represent. I feel the tension leave my body. I hadn’t even realized just how knotted up I’ve been feeling around the three of them until the prospect of being left alone. Being alone is the one thing that doesn’t scare me. I’ve had many years to get used to it.

“Nix, I need you to take my shift.” My heart falls just as quickly as I hear him on the phone again.

I can’t hear Nix’s answer, but I can figure it out by what Dacre says next.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, man. She’s here because of you.”

Silence, then, “It’s your fucking turn. I’ve been invited to a ball for the senior partners. Do you know how prestigious this is? No one gets a ticket. Especially not interns.”

I hear a beep then “Fuck!”

He dials again. “Mercier. Pick up the fucking phone!”

I chew my cereal thoughtfully. If he can’t get Nix or Mercier to watch me, he’ll be forced to leave me alone or miss his ball, which he obviously doesn’t want to do. for the first time since coming to this place, I feel the corners of my mouth twitch upward.

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