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Panem appeared more interested in his footing than looking at her. “I lived in poverty, deep in a slum. It was sheer coincidence that Mr. Finch saw me and offered me a job.”
If it was a coincidence, the man was very lucky. “Must have been a wonderful opportunity for the young boy you were.”
Near the back porch, Ellie stopped so Panem could regain his breath.
“I was a young man when it happened. A boy wouldn’t be able to follow the training I was given and take care for Mr. Finch while he traveled.”
At least she now knew the money wasn’t coming from Panem. “You’re a lucky man. Not many people are given such a chance at a second life.”
Panem seemed to consider what she said. “Not a second chance at life. At life itself. I wouldn’t be alive if not for him.” The servant took another step in her direction. “I know what you’re trying to do. To establish some sort of connection, even a friendship so I’ll betray my master, or at least lower my guard. Miss, that won’t happen.”
Ellie had realized as much but was far from ready to acknowledge it. “Mr. Panem, I spend my days alone in my room with nothing to do but read vapid magazines. Is it a surprise I’d try to establish a connection? I’m bored to death inside this castle.”
The man didn’t seem moved the least. “You’re here to take care of the master’s son, and hopefully produce an heir.”
The misogyny bombarding her was starting to take a toll, and the thought of a child living inside these walls only strengthened her resolve to leave. “We are in agreement. But as Sam is occupied most of the day, and until said child arrives, I remain alone and without a purpose. And it’s driving me mad.” Ellie had thrown in that last bit for good measure. As she resumed her walk, Panem followed in silence.
The windowpanes over the building caught the sun rays, and Ellie hoped that wherever Sam was inside, he was okay and holding on.
“I’ll speak with my master. There has to be something you can do. I’ll ask if you can have access to the house. There is a library on the second floor. If the master allows, I’ll bring you there.”
Ellie knew better than to look victorious, instead, she summoned her most innocent look before turning to Panem. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, I really appreciate it.”
Nothing showed on his face apart from fleeting conceit. That man was definitely a sleazeball, serving his equally slimy master. They were perfectly suited for each other, but if she could at least win small bits and pieces, maybe she could be of help to Sam.
Chapter Sixteen
Sam feltlike his brain had been fried from processing so many unimportant things over and over again. When he’d started working at Finch’s side, it became obvious he wouldn’t have access to anything important. His father was delusional, but he wasn’t completely stupid to believe Sam had accepted his fate so easily.
However, he had limited access to some useful tidbits. Finch had put him in charge of HR. He oversaw the salaries for most of the people Finch had working for him. There were no names, as everything was encrypted, but he now had the number of people Finch employed, and he’d also discovered some were based overseas as he could see currency exchange rates on their pay slips. His brain searched for anything useful, regardless of how small or seemingly irrelevant.
He had to find something, anything to crack the walls of their prison. For Ellie.
Even when Sam had to maintain an agreeable and submissive façade toward his father, the only thing that kept him sane was Ellie. The little time they spent together was enough to keep him going.
His thoughts went to Lazarus. Sam worried he’d do something extreme and that his intervention could impact Ellie. His brother was far from impulsive, but none of them would ever stay idle when given an ultimatum.
Time was of the essence, but how long could they keep going? They were reaching the two-week mark since they’d been locked in this manor, and Sam could see the impact it was having on Ellie. Over the last few days, he’d felt a drop in Ellie’s energy. When they went to bed, she fell asleep in his arms in a matter of minutes. He’d discreetly checked her temperature, but it appeared normal. Another thing that made him wonder what was going on were the small scratches and discolorations on her hands. Taking a peek when she was in the shower, he noticed her knees were also red and slightly swollen.
Sam worried, but when he brought it up, Ellie only said she’d fallen as she got out of the bath a few days before, which was an obvious lie, but he decided not to push after seeing her weariness.
“Nice work, my son.” Lost in thought, Sam almost jumped when Finch moved behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a lifesaver organizing those spreadsheets.”
“Anything I can do to help, Father.”
“I appreciate it. Now, I have a few calls to make. Why don’t you go find us something to eat? I know it’s too early for the cook, but maybe there’s something edible in the kitchen for lunch?”
It was unusual for Finch to send him away like that. Normally, he went to the other office for private conversations and made sure food was brought up by Panem.
“Anything specific you’d like?” Even if he silently wished for it, Sam doubted that poison would be on the menu.
Finch was already heading for the other door when he waved at him dismissively. “Anything will do.”
Sam pushed away from his desk, happy for the break, and especially at not having to breathe the same air as Finch for a few minutes.
Once in the hallway, he hesitated over whether to go and see Ellie for a couple of minutes but decided against it. The couple of times he’d wanted to see her during lunch, Finch had shut him down, saying that he was better staying where he was, and that he could fuck her to his heart’s content at night.
Just having his father see Ellie that way played with his patience like nothing else. Finch saw women as second-class citizens, and it was a blessing he’d never had any daughters. Sam shivered over the thought of how he could’ve damaged an innocent little girl.
