Countdown by John Walker (feel good fiction books txt) 📗

betrayal. She wouldn’t be sent out on missions for him nor requested to do anything that required her to leave his side. That was how he intended to keep her on a leash.

“I’d like to brush on an unpleasant topic,” Rita said. “What happens if I say no?”

Loch scowled. “You don’t want to do that, do you? Go someplace we both would regret? After all, I’m giving you an opportunity no one else gets. Tossing this in my face would be stupid and I know you’re not that. So don’t be stubborn just for the sake of it. We both know you’re going to say yes.”

“But you’ll kill me if I don’t, right? I mean, I just want to know the gravity of this decision. Because while you’re definitely top loading the positives, I’m concerned about the negative. And what if it’s not for me? How long do I have to do this job before I can leave? You know… regular stuff that someone should worry about.”

“Here I was thinking you wanted to ask why I’m so intrigued by you specifically. Why I want you around as a bodyguard. Why I tried to woo you with the dress and finery. Maybe it’s not just about the work to me. Maybe I’m hoping you’ll come to think of me as more than a boss… or the man with something hanging over your head.”

Now we come to it.

“Why?” Rita tilted her head. “I’m not the most attractive woman around. The last guy I dated thought it was a compliment when he called me hard looking. So what’s your deal? What about me is appealing enough to do something outside your norm with people you think failed you? Which, by the way, I protest that assessment.”

“There’s so much more to a person than beauty,” Loch said. It was the first thing she agreed with him on and so far the only one that really made him remotely likable. “Honestly, you have qualities I appreciate in a person. I’ve never met a woman like you out here. They’re either too masculine or overly reliant on their friends to get by.

“Not you. You walked into my compound bold as brass asking for money. Your reputation preceded you. I was planning on funding you anyway, but meeting you in person… I liked what I saw. Then, you evaded my people. Stayed out of our reach. It was pretty incredible. I don’t leave home for just anyone.”

A different woman might take this as flattery. Rita found it hard to think of it that way. He came off as creepy in her opinion. Controlling. Anyone entering a relationship with Loch had a lot of issues to deal with. Narcissism, insecurity, paranoia… she wondered how long it took for him to amass all his disorders. He likely always had them. Money made them worse.

“Just to sum up, you want a bodyguard you can eventually sleep with?”

“That’s definitely simplifying,” Loch said, “but yes.”

“And how old are you again?”

“Forty-eight.”

Rita blinked. “I’m not even thirty.”

“What’s age?”

More than a number, you old freak. Rita bit her lip to avoid sighing. Why am I struggling to go along with this? It’s an easy way to survive until we get somewhere. I can act if I’m trusted. She couldn’t just go along with it. Part of his ridiculous attraction came from her caution. Which meant he wouldn’t trust her if she agreed right away.

“This is the hand you’ve been dealt.” Loch stood, moving around the table. He offered her his hand. “I’m giving you the opportunity to be with me as a companion with something meaningful to do with your life. How many men care about that for their women? How many are concerned with a career?”

“You’re pretty old-fashioned if you think that’s even a concern,” Rita pointed out. “Women make their way all the time now. How many are in your organization?”

“Few, honestly. Mostly because, you know… we’re a male-dominated industry. More criminals in men, that sort of thing. Which makes you unique.”

Add sexist to that list of disorders.

“But I know you’ve got this.”

“Right.” Rita nodded. “And I’m guessing you know I need some time to think about this.”

“I figured you’d want to consider your negotiation stance.” Loch took her hand when she didn’t accept his. He pulled her to her feet, drawing close enough so she felt his nose touch hers. “But let’s be perfectly clear. You’re going to accept. The alternative isn’t death, honey, and you won’t like it.”

“So what am I doing by thinking about it?”

“Coming up with a counter I’ll like. Don’t take too long. I want an answer for when we arrive at the compound.” Loch glanced over her shoulder. “Shouldn’t be more than a couple hours. Once we get to the surface, I’ll bring you to the audience chamber and you’ll tell me if you’re going to join up… or if you’re going for the unpleasant choice.”

“Do I want to know what it is?”

Loch smirked. “You’re a woman in a male-dominated industry. Many of them haven’t had the opportunity to be with a lady in a while. Do the math on how I’ll get my money’s worth out of your debacle.”

“Aliens, you son of a bitch! It was aliens! Christ, how could I…”

“Stop.” Loch put his finger on her lips. “I don’t care how you ended up here. It’s happening.” He shoved her toward the door. “Be sure to make this your choice because the more I have to pick, the less comfortable you’ll be. If you give me lip again, you’ll only be wearing dresses. Think about it.”

Rita glared at him, stepping into the hall. The guards once again motioned for her to move without a word. They led her back to her quarters then locked her in.

Well… now I know he’s a complete and total