Ultimate Nyssa Glass by H. Burke (ebook reader browser txt) 📗

the man remained open. Nyssa was too small to normally think about taking on a man while unarmed … but this man was only about an inch taller than her. She bolted for the door.

His leg shot out and tangled with hers. He grabbed her by the wrist. She flew backwards, landing on the settee. Her breath whooshed from her aching ribs.

The man straightened his jacket. “Don’t do that again.” He closed the door.

Nyssa eased into a sitting position. Well, not going anywhere any time soon, it looks like. Might as well figure this guy out.

“What do I call you?” she asked.

“My name is Aito. And you are the infamous Nyssa Glass … not an easy woman to find, even by my standards, and I’ve faced many challenges in my career as a delivery boy.” He winked.

“Glad to hear it.” She rubbed her sides. “So who is your employer?”

“I’m sure he’ll want the pleasure of introducing himself. Meanwhile.” He took up the glass and drank from it. “See? Harmless.” He passed it to her.

Nyssa chugged the water, the prickles on her tongue finally easing. She sighed, but now her stomach sloshed and ached. “Do you have anything to eat?”

“My employer was hoping you’d join him for dinner.” Aito took the glass from her and refilled it.

She drained the second glass as well. “So … your employer isn’t the New Taured police department. I can’t think of anyone else who’d want me here, but last I checked, risking an international incident by kidnapping a woman from San Azula’s sovereign soil would be atypical behavior for government types.”

“Hardly.” Aito snorted. “No, my employer is a private business man … though, we did take advantage of the police woman’s investigation to flush you out of your safe little nest.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “But you do have the evidence of my innocence? I saw the video.”

“I will let my employer fill you in on the benefits of cooperation. Would you like to bathe and change before your meal?” He strode to the door again and opened it revealing a narrow hallway with another door on the other side. “I took the liberty of drawing your bath when I realized you were up.” He opened the door across the hall revealing a long, claw-footed tub with steam wafting from it.

Nyssa’s sore muscles melted at the thought. Well, it’s not like he’s going to let you walk out of here, and you need that recording. Might as well face this clean.

“I had a set of clothes put out for you.” Aito pointed to a dress and a stack of linens sitting on the washstand. “I’ll have your items laundered while you dine.”

“Thank you.” She shut the bathroom door between them.

The room was small, just the bath, the washstand, and a small cabinet filled with spare soaps and towels. After triple-checking for any escape routes or items she could squirrel away as weapons, she disrobed and sank into the warm water. Whatever she’d been through in the last few days, it had left her with bruises across her arms and thighs … probably her back too from the feel of it. She held up her hands. Her fingernails were jagged and chipped with dark red blood dried beneath them.

“I guess the clawing and kicking wasn’t a dream. Shock me, did they bring me here in a box?”

Her urge to get things over with won out over the comfort of the tub, and she rushed through cleansing, drying, and redressing. The clothes provided proved to be a black gown with a lace collar. She turned and examined herself in the full-length mirror hanging from the back of the door.

I look decked out for a funeral. I hope it isn’t my own. She stuck her head out the door. Aito sat in a chair a few feet away, his hands folded in his lap.

She sniffed. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

He stood. “Follow me, please.”

As they walked down the hall, Nyssa took the opportunity to assess their surroundings. A cherrywood chair rail lined the wall, with floral wallpaper in dusky pinks and greens above it. The floors were also wood, but a long carpet lay down the middle. Lights in white lily-shaped fixtures shone every few feet … the new incandescent sort, not gaslights. Muffled sounds of traffic murmured in the distance.

Not a large home, but expensive … would take money to maintain. I doubt whoever it is brought me back to his primary residence, though. Unless he plans to kill me afterward. She shuddered.

Aito opened a door right before the hall descended into a staircase. He bowed and stepped aside for Nyssa to enter.

Inside, a round gleaming table held a cloche, pearly china, and shining crystal. A wingback chair sat on either side. The one facing her was empty, but a man’s arm dangled over the edge of the other.

The door clicked behind her. Apparently Aito would not be dining with them. Good. I don’t want him to have to knock me down again.

“Come sit. The meal is getting cold.” The voice was cold, sophisticated, with a mocking edge. Nyssa crossed the room and sat in the chair. Only when seated did she take the time to examine her “host.”

He leaned back in his chair, one hand clutching a wine glass filled with burgundy liquid. Perhaps forty, he had a short beard, gray-winged brown hair, and bright gray eyes. His black suit highlighted his pale face and slender frame, making him appear slighter than she suspected he really was.

Reaching across the table, the man raised the cloche, revealing a glistening, golden duck surrounded by roasted red beets on a bed of greens.

Nyssa’s stomach grumbled, but she forced her face placid. “It’s hard to muster my appetite when I’m essentially a prisoner.”

“A prisoner? Do you feel like a prisoner?” He arched an eyebrow.

“It seems undeniable.” It took all her willpower not to look at the bird on the platter. A smell of meat and