Page 18 of Under Control

I grab his business card from my dresser. I buried it under my socks, thinking that I couldn’t get rid of it but I also couldn’t keep it around, either.

He answers his phone on the second ring, which is a shock. I planned on leaving him a very violent, very aggressive message, but hearing his voice takes the edge off my rage.

“Hello,malishka,” he says, practically purring. “I’ve been thinking about you constantly.”

“Why did you pay my electric bill?” I snap, refusing to be distracted.

“I thought you would be happy about that.”

“I’m not. I didn’t give you permission to access my account. How’d you even do that?”

“I have people who can handle such things.”

I let out an angry, exasperated laugh. “You have hackers on the payroll?”

“Two, actually. Both are very gifted.”

“Leave me alone, Valentin. I thought I made myself clear.”

“And I thought I mademyselfclear. We aren’t finished. Not remotely.”

I rub the knot of muscles between my eyes. “I’m happy you paid our bill. Okay, I can admit it. That’s one less thing to worry about. But I don’t want anything else from you. We’re not going to get married. You’re not going to get what you want.”

“Come see me. We’ll discuss this in person.”

“Once again, you don’t seem to be listening.”

“I hear you. Come see me.”

“No, Valentin.” I close my eyes, annoyed with myself. “And again, I really mean that.”

“You’ve been thinking about our game. Should we play again? Come to my house. I’ll chase you through the halls, catch you, pin you down, and fuck you like a monster. I’ll make you come on my dick and lick yourself off my shaft when I’m done with you.”

Oh, god damn it.

That’s not supposed to turn me on. I’m mad at this asshole right now.

Except, yeah, it’s like he just threw a dart right at my core.

And now I’m glowing.

“Leave me alone,” I say and my voice comes out all husky. He knows I’m full of shit.

“Come see me.”

“Fuck off.”

I hang up the phone.

And stare at it for a couple of minutes, expecting it to ring or buzz with a message.

Nothing happens. All quiet.

I should be relieved. I don’t want anything else to do with this man.

He’s much worse than I realized—I mean, what kind of person has computer hackers on his payroll?

The same kind of person that pulls a gun on strange girls.

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