Page 1 of Risky Behavior: Submitting to the Ruthless Guard
Death's Wish List
Talia
Ijumpedatasound. It was nothing more than a subtle knock, but it had been so long that they locked me in this room that the noise sounded foreign to me. When the voice that followed repeated itself, I realized someone was expecting me to actually respond.
“Talia, can you hear me? I said, my name is Leo Rand. May I come in?”
The question seemed pointless. It wasn’t like I could simply open the door and let him in. If he wanted in, then he needed a key, not me.
“Why are you bothering to ask? You must know I can’t open the door for you.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to just barge in. May I come in?”
“Do I have a choice?”
“Yes. I can stay out here, but there is something I’d like to talk to you about, face to face.”
I had no idea who this man was or what role he played in Miles Carter’s evil games, but if playing the nice guy was what he was into then I’d let him. I craved someone with human decency and even if this guy was full of shit, I could pretend he wasn’t… at least until he revealed his true colors. I moved to the nightstand and picked up the lamp. Once I removed the lightbulb and took the shade off, I walked to the center of the room. It may not be much, but desperate times and all that.
“Fine, you can come in, but just know I have no problem bashing your fucking head in if I need to.”
I could have sworn I heard a small laugh. It made sense that he thought I was ridiculous. If he had any idea how many drugs Carter’s people had in me, he’d know I used most of my energy walking across the room to get the damn lamp I now held as a weapon. He put a key in the lock and I heard a click. The temptation to run to get past him and out of this hellhole was there, but not strong enough to make me move. I had committed to 5 years, and I was only a few weeks in. Running now would get me nowhere but caught, and then I’d be dead.
I looked up as a monster of a man walked through my door. If the oversized house weren’t a thing, he would have needed to bend down just to get through the door. The size of his shoulders and arms was only rivaled by his height. I took in his black untucked t-shirt, worn-in jeans and biker boots. His clothing was a clear indicator he wasn’t part of the normal staff here. Everyone around Miles wore black suits, like they were attending a funeral or something. He closed the door behind him but didn’t make a move. I stood there taking him in while his eyes ran over me. Leo Rand’s dark brown hair seemed disheveled and in need of a cut, and he had a slight five o’clock shadow on his angular face. Honestly, if I wasn’t half out of my mind and stuck in this shit situation, then I’d be jumping up and down with excitement over my dream man being within reach. A faint spark deep inside me fluttered, reminding me that maybe I was still alive, but the pain in my heart as Raven’s face ran through my memories ruined any thoughts of happiness.
“Can I help you?”
He held out his hand for me to shake, but I didn’t make a move, so he dropped it at his side.
“As I mentioned, my name is Leo Rand. I am your new security guard.”
“My what?”
“Your guard. My duties will include your security and that of Mr. Carter’s interests while you are in his home.”
“If he has concerns over his interests while I’m here, then he is welcome to let me leave.”
“I don’t think that’s a possibility right now.”
“Where did you come from?”
“That’s what I wanted to speak with you about. Can I take that for you?”
Leo stepped forward, reaching for my lamp. It was a measly weapon, but it was all I had.
“No.”
“Okay, how about you take a seat, then?”
“No.”
His eyebrows furrowed, and he nodded slowly. “When was the last time they brought you up some food?”
“I don’t know. It’s not like I have a clock in here.”
“It’s after eleven now.”
“Morning or night?”