Page 8 of Emperor of Corruption
“Don’t worry about that,” he says carelessly. “To answer the question written on your face, sweet Lyra, you would be the first in this position. I’ve never had to…persuadeother women to enjoy private time with me.”
I don’t know how he read my question from a mere flinch, but I don’t believe himat all. There’s no fuckingwayI’m the first. Hehasto have done this before, and if I’m alive after tonight, I will dedicate myself to unearthing every single misdeed he’s ever committed.
“Do you know why I invited you here tonight?” he questions, abruptly changing topics.
I shake my head.
He lifts his index finger, pointing it at me. “Because you intrigue me. Your conduct in my office—professional, almost clinical, but oh-so-sharp.” He pauses to chuckle, as if sharing a private joke with himself. “Would you like to know how many reporters and journalists I’ve interviewed with over the last five years?”
I don’t respond, not even with a nod or shake of my head.
“Dozens,” he says. “And all of them were so… easy. There’s this mystique around your kind that makes men of even my caliber wary of you. I’ll confess, I was almostnervousbefore my first interview… but then, I recognized that even the best investigative reporters are as easy to fool as the rest of the population.”
He’s just confirmed what I suspected since the moment I met him—he’s an expert at fooling people. He lives the life of a lie in more than one way. I don’t know that he experiences emotionsat all.
No, that’s not fair—he’s experiencing emotions right now. Excitement at the prospect of raping me,hurtingme.
“Not you, though,” Killian says. “I could tell from the first moment I wouldn’t be able to fool you—not like I could the others. If you had any power, that might make you dangerous… as is, it makes you quite the novelty.”
He backs away from the desk, so suddenly it startles me. I feel like a mouse he’s playing with for his own amusement. I feel as insignificant, aspowerlessas he’s telling me I am.
My eyes flick to the door. I could run for it. I could at leasttry, even if I don’t succeed. Despite my best efforts to remain level-headed, my survival instincts are creeping to the fore. I want—need—to get away from this fuckinglunatic—
“Don’t,” Killian says succinctly. “Do yourself a favor, Lyra, and don’t. You won’t like how…aggressiveI’ll get if I have to chase you.”
My eyes briefly close. I inhale a deep breath, then two, and finally force them open again. Killian’s observing me with a tilted head and eyes that glimmer with curiosity, as if he’s a scientist and I’m a newfound specimen he’s eager to dissect.
I’ve never been in this sort of danger before, and I’ll probably never be in it again.
“We’re going to have some fun tonight, Lyra,” he says, turning his back on me and walking to the couch. He sinks down onto the cushions with the grace of a king holding court and drapes his arms against the spine, then cranes his neck to look at me. He lifts his hand and crooks his fingers, beckoning me forward.
I glance at the door again. He’s relaxed and at ease, so I might actually be able to make it… and then what? He’ll destroy my career—and that’s if he doesn’t decide tokillme. Of course, he could kill me even after I’ve done whatever he wants me to do… but something tells me that’s not the case. His mask’s come off, now. He’s not pretending to be a charming, philanthropic,decentperson anymore. He’s showing me every bit of the predator he is—if he were planning on killing me, I think he’d taunt me with that knowledge.
“Don’t make me ask twice,” Killian says carefully. “Come.Here.”
And I know that I no longer have a choice.
Chapter Four
My feet move before my mind’s had the chance to catch up. Nausea churns my stomach and my limbs feel like they’re made of lead, but I force myself to move. Logically, enduring whatever he has in store for me is the best case scenario. I leave with my career and life intact.
My fear doesn’t want to follow logic, though… but my brain is forcing my body to comply.
When I’m finally in front of Killian, he takes his time drinking in the sight of me. His gaze feels like a thousand insects as he sweeps it over my face, down the length of my neck, and takes his time staring at my cleavage. It goes lower, over my hipbones, my thighs, and finally, down to my feet.
“You truly do look stunning in that dress,” he murmurs. “I’ve met many beautiful women… but none quite like you.”
I don’t respond; what the hell is there to say?
“Turn around,” Killian commands.
Like a doll without agency, I follow his command. I thought not having to face him might be easier, but the moment I feel his hands brushing my hair from my back, I jerk and step forward.
He grabs my arm in an iron, bruising,painfulgrip that makes me gasp. He doesn’t release it for close to a minute, until a long whimperescapes me. He successfully transmits his message; when I don’t follow his orders, he’ll hurt me.
Just like every other powerful man I’ve dealt with.
Tears prickle my eyes, but my pride refuses to let them fall. Killian fingers the neckline of my dress in one hand and uses the other to draw the zipper down withpainfulslowness. He pushes the material over my shoulders, but I lift my arms to trap it, to try to hold onto at least alittlebit of modesty.
