Page 24 of Corrupt Game

It didn’t take me long to pack a weekend bag with a few casual clothes as well as a spare suit. There was always one hanging in the office, but who knew if I would be able to stay in the cabin for the entire week.

Being prepared to be called out for an emergency situation made sense. It always happened at the most inopportune times.

I couldn’t remember the last time I was gearing up to be somewhere. While I could have stayed in the city and just commuted out to Collette, it would save me time and energy to be nearby.

The joy of watching her would bring a sweet sort of release to this feeling that was beginning to burn me from the inside out. A small relief that let out enough steam to keep me from erupting. It had been a while since I’d taken any personal time. I needed this to get my head in the game.

Collette didn’t deserve to feel my anger or have my emotions get in the way of what I was certain was going to be the beginning of a perfect relationship.

She had to want this. I wasn’t going to accept anything less than her complete surrender to me. I would need to be around to make that happen, to gain her acceptance.

Adjusting myself to ease some of the tension, I headed for the car.

“Rossi, do you need more time to pack a bag?”

“No, sir. I have one already packed in the vehicle.” He opened the door for me to slide onto the seat.

“Ah, yes, you are always prepared, aren’t you?” I sighed and leaned back with my eyes closed as the engine started.

The car would bring me closer and closer to my prize—Collette.

She had no idea that she’d signed away her rights because she’d failed to examine the contract. I was looking forward to showing her exactly how powerless she was. She couldn’t avoid me forever, and when she caved, I would be there to lead her in the correct direction.

Chapter 9: Collette

I wasn’t scared of Ian Holdt. I really wasn’t. But I knew there was a purpose in him telling me to get familiar with my space.

What on earth could he have planned?

There was simply no way for me to figure it out. I had no clues to work from. I wasn’t going to be put on the defensive in this game simply because I didn’t follow his directions.

And it felt like a game. Undeclared or not, we were both feeling each other out for strengths and weaknesses that might give us the higher ground.

Technically, right now he had the higher ground, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from finding out the information I’d come to obtain.

The first thing I’d done was push the buttons on the elevator to see if I could go upstairs.

When he’d been showing me the room, he hadn’t given any rules. There weren’t any limits. At least not yet. I needed to act now before I was limited. Now, I had blissful ignorance on my side.

Nope, the elevator didn’t open. I hadn’t really expected it to.

He’d brought me here for a reason. It was my job to figure out what that reason was.

In the little time we’d had together, he must have given me something that would help me to wade through this unusual situation. I needed to think over everything that was said, and in his case not said to figure out what the circumstances were.

The kitchen cabinets held a variety of cooking supplies, with spices filling one space. No canned or boxed food though.

Similarly, the refrigerator was empty except for a loaf of bread and a package of lunch meat.

Unsure of when he’d refill things or if he would, I could wait until tomorrow to eat.

What if he’d drugged the food?

I’d heard of things like this when people were kidnapped. They’d put stuff in the food to make their victims sleep or unable to fight or even sick.

It wasn’t the best way to survive, but until Mr. Holdt made his move, I would manage. I didn’t have any other options at this point.

Morning was soon enough to find out if the food was going to be edible or not.

---