Page 68 of Beautiful Liar

18

KANSAS, NOT KANSAS

My head jerks around, although I know it’s highly unlikely Q would reveal himself if he’s still choosing to talk to me through his speakers.

“Your home?”

“One of many, but yes.”

I continue down the hallway, noting that he has a serious love of art. Each of the three properties I’ve seen so far has had a masterpiece or ten dotted around the place. I reach the landing and stop. “Where exactly am I, Q?”

“You’re here, with me. At last.” His voice is low and throbs with enough anticipation for me to reach for the steadying support of the bannister. He may have possibly drugged me to stop me from finding out where he’s brought me, but his voice still does disgustingly filthy things to my insides.

“You know what I mean.”

“How would knowing where you are change anything? You’re not thinking of running, are you?”

I can’t deny that the thought didn’t cross my mind when I was in the bathroom. “I just want to know, that’s all.”

“All you need to know is that you’re safe and will be well cared for while you’re under my protection.”

“And does your protection include drugging me? Because that’s what you did to me on the plane, wasn’t it?”

“Lucky—”

“Please. Tell me the truth.”

Silence throbs for a minute. “You were given a light sedative to help you relax.”

My heart lurches. “Why?”

“To calm you. My pilot reported you were slightly…agitated.”

Anger ramps up my spine. “So your answer was to knock me out?”

“It wasn’t supposed to. But combined with the alcohol—”

“It still wasn’t okay.”

“You were never in danger.”

“That doesn’t matter.” My free hand slices into my hair in a futile effort to calm the soup of emotions bubbling through me “This situation isn’t a normal one for me. But as fucked up as it is, I want…Ineed to be able to trust you on some basic level.”

“I understand.”

“Do you? Really? Somehow I find that hard to believe.”

“Why is that?”

“I can’t help thinking you’re the type of guy who just takes what he wants.”

“I am. But I never take by force. I haven’t harmed you in any way, have I?”

I laugh. “So what was last night? A little harmless drugging between employer and employee? What happens the next time I have a complaint?”

“You will be reminded of what you agreed. Your body, your acquiescence in return for a million dollars.” There’s an edge to his voice, blades sliding into place.

But I can’t let this go. “That didn’t include being drugged. I’m most definitely not on board with that. And I want you to admit that it wasn’t okay.”

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