Page 60 of Still Her
“Alright!” His voice rises above mine and he quickly corrects his tone to a low snarl. “Let’s get a few things straight. One, you’re not listening to anything, and this,” he motions his hand up and down in front of me “is exactly why not. Two, this,” he points over at the computers and detectives that are still listening, “continues until Mayzie calls a stop to it. Three,” he steps closer so that our faces are inches apart, “you disrupt this operation or question my integrity as a cop, as the lead fucking detective on this case even one more time, my uniformed friends by the door over there will physically extract you from this room, and their new assignment will be to make sure you stay in your own damn suite until this is over. Have I made myselfcrystalfucking clear?” His face is red as he finishes his rant and retreats back to his place on the couch without waiting for a response. But he doesn’t make it all the way there before the other two detectives drop their headphones with a clatter on the coffee table and abruptly stand.
“Safe word!” One of them announces, with Morris already halfway to the door.
“Move it!” he yells to all the other officers before disappearing through the door.
Safe word. Immediate danger.Thank God it only takes a fraction of second for those words to register before my body is automatically moving.
I’m not even thinking, and I don’t think I even feel my feet touching the floor as I charge after them.
* * *
MAYZIE
“What’ll you have?” Eli calls over his shoulder from the wet bar.
“Nothing.” I say bluntly. I’m not a fan of roofies.
“You know, of all the women I’ve brought to this suite, you are by far the most stubborn,” he says, pouring himself a hefty shot of something into a tumbler. “Most ladies feel privileged to find themselves in a place like this,” he gestures around the penthouse, “spending an evening with me. Someone who can make their dreams come true.” He tosses back the liquid in one gulp before slamming the glass down and pouring another.
“Or crush them, if they don’t do what you say,” I challenge him.
“Oh, either way, they consider themselves lucky,” he says, downing the next shot and setting the glass down.
I’m shaking. I’m not this person. I’m not the type that can stand firmly in front of a predator and hold my ground. I keep reminding myself that I have to. I try to picture Jack and the guys. I visualize them sending me strength. I steel myself and straighten my spine.
“You know, I bet you’re right. I bet there are a lot that fall all over themselves just to be in your very presence, maybe hoping you can help them get somewhere in the world. But I’m willing to bet that most of them come here with you because you made them feel like they had no choice. You made them think that you would ruin them or someone they loved if they didn’t go along with what you wanted.”
“Look at you,” he says, mockingly, “acting like you’re so smart and have it all figured out.Actinglike you’ve got a backbone.” Shit, he can see how terrified I am after all. I’m going to keep it up anyway. I can’t let him know he’s right. “You know what?” he continues, “Its fine. I like an occasional break from the norm. I’m up for a challenge. You want me to work for it a little? I’m game, but it won’t take much to break you. And when I do, you’ll love it so much you’ll beg for more.” He is disgustingly arrogant. Who would possibly fall for this?
“You are way too sure of yourself.”
“Just stating a fact. You will eventually do what I want you to do tonight, and if I like what happens, you’ll come back as many times as I want you to.”
“What makes you think I will?”
“I think you know,” he says, noncommittally. Dammit! Just take the bait and spit it out already so I can get out of this hell hole.I’m completely intimidated. I want to ditch this whole thing and bolt for the door, screaming the safe word. I remind myself of what will happen if I do that. He’ll get away with all of this and continue down his path. I don’t want this asshole to keep yanking us all around like we’re here for his own amusement. I think of every other girl Eli has treated this way and quickly compose myself, transforming my expression into one of annoyance.
“Alright, I’m bored. I’m out of here.” I say, taking a few steps toward the door. He does not like that at all. He cuts me off and lunges at me, grabbing me around my jaw. He forces me back a few steps and slams me against the wall.Ow. He squeezes my jaw hard as he gets in my face, the smell of gin coming off his breath. Uggghh, I hate gin.
As he holds me in place, I feel the panic in my chest start to dance with another sensation. Red-hot rage is starting to swirl and churn along with it.
“Let go of me!” I yell, struggling and trying to push him away.
“I will, as soon as you decide to be a good girl,” he says, squeezing harder and pressing his lower body against mine. I think I’m going to be sick as he reaches for the tie on the side of my dress and gives one of the ends a yank. When it gives, he pulls one side of it open, exposing the left side of my bra.
“Get off, you’re hurting me!” I yell, still pushing.
“Oh, I’ll get off. And if you’re lucky, so will you.”
Eww.
“You’re disgusting!” I spit at him, and he rolls his eyes.
“You know, if you would just relax and let things happen…”
“Thenwhat?!”I demand, still trying to pry his hand off me. The moment this asshole laid a hand on me, I stopped being afraid and started getting seriously pissed.
“God, I thought you weresmart!” His exasperation comes out in mocking tone. “Then, you get to rest easy, knowing I’ll continue to help Turn it Up climb its way to the top.”