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“Ah, there you are, my dear. I’ve been waiting for you.”
My stomach erupts into my throat as a cold sweat breaks out over my skin. He sounds close by, like he’s standing inside the room, which is currently spinning.
I will my feet to shuffle to the side of Grizz. A very small part of me is thankful he isn’t here. But he is still on the television.
Monster.
Frozen in place, I silently hope he can’t see me, but he immediately proves me wrong.
“Don’t be shy, Jessa. I was just telling everyone about our…rather unique relationship.”
“There is no relationship.” Bolstered by the security of the compound, my own courage shines.
My time with Jack has strengthened me, but I know instantly I shouldn’t have said anything.
“Oh, isn’t there? Maybe I should remind you who you work for. Maybe I should remind you of the consequences you will suffer should you disobey me.”
All of my instincts scream at me to cower, to run away and hide. I shouldn’t be so brave, even if I’m only standing up to a television screen.
Then the thought hits me.
This is my chance.
Maxwell’s eyes are wild; he’s livid. His type A personality won’t let sleeping dogs lie. He won’t hesitate to show me my place. And when he does, maybe then I’ll remember everything I need to know, far away from him and from the safety of this base.
I know I have an audience, but I need this. I never let on that I couldn’t remember my time with him. He thinks I remember everything.
If I force his hand, I’ll know for sure what happened to me. I might be able to remember and finish this.
This is the single riskiest thing I’ve ever done, but the payoff would be worth the sacrifice.
Mustering everything I have, I push him to the brink I know he will push back from.
“Go ahead. I’m not afraid of you anymore.” My voice is shaky, but I think the uncertainty will work to my advantage. Maybe it’s good he thinks there is a part of me that is scared of whatever he did to me.
“Jessa, maybe you shouldn’t…”
Dana’s voice trails off when I glare at her, our laughter from just minutes ago long forgotten.
I need this.
I need to know, and I’ll never get a chance like this again.
Silence fills the room as the four of us stand still in front of the TV. Maxwell is staring into the screen, analyzing me, probably trying to decide what to do.
I know that look.
He’s trying to remain in control, removed, and I know I can push him. All he needs is that one little nudge, and his need to put me in my place will consume him.
Then I remember something he said to me on my first day with him.
I take a deep breath, and I push. “Who’s the little bitch now?”
I fire my insult straight at him in front of everyone, and in a fraction of a second, with the slip of his smirk, I know I have him.
His eyes flare as his cold expression drops into a sneer of pure hatred, and I know there is no turning back.
CHAPTER22
