Page 83 of Corrupt Game

Lunch arrived with a delivery from Rossi, and I groaned, not wanting to get on the floor to eat right then. But all that training had me getting up to move toward my pillow on the ground next to Ian’s spot.

“No, stay. We’re working and this is a different type of circumstance.” Ian paused to tap my shoulder, forcing me back into the chair. Relief flooded through the drop of my shoulders.

I moved the stacks of papers aside to make room for the food. I was starving and my stomach let out an agreeable rumble.

Ian picked up the containers and slid mine toward me.

“It’s been hard not knowing what the rules are, hasn’t it?” he sympathized, opening his food.

“There were days in the beginning that I wondered what was the right thing and what was wrong. Now, I can figure most of it out from your cues.” I shrugged and pointed to the food in front of me. “This though, is something I consider a reward.”

The fish platter was done artistically, ready to be plated and served. It was the perfect order in-meal for the person that wanted others to believe they could cook.

“This is my perfect fantasy though.” I groaned around a bite of food.

I’d always had a thing for food. Probably because I hadn’t had it as much growing up and wanted to make sure that I never went without.

It had been hours since breakfast and this hit just the right spot.

“Eating after working hard?” Ian laughed.

I tilted my head. “No, this.” My hand waved to the room.

“Having a library full of books, food, and someone to laugh with are all the perfect ways to spend the afternoon.” I smiled over at him. “It’s how I used to escape when I was younger.”

Ian watched me as I spoke. His eyes lightened up at me sharing about myself. Nobody had ever taken enough interest in me before. That I wanted to give him a little bit more.

“When things didn’t go well at the home I was in, I’d sneak out to the library and spend hours there. They never turned me away, and it was safe there.”

“Books were safe and never tried to harm me. I could get lost for hours and not have to worry about what was going on in the world around me.”

I took a bite of food, breaking the honest moment. Discomfort caused me to fidget.

“Your face gets a wistful look when you’re talking about it.” He reached across the table and took my hand. “Anytime you want to come in here and read, feel free to do so. I don’t get to relax as often as I’d like but there’s no reason for you not to enjoy it.”

I stilled at his touch and his offer. Warmth flooded my body. I wanted more.

“It was one of the reasons I decided to become a librarian. Being surrounded by books felt like home. There’s so much to learn and it was never boring. I’d have a new theme to check out each month and consume all the books I could find on that subject.”

He continued to eat, but I could tell he didn’t want me to stop talking.

“Each story held a new adventure. Some to far off lands, others closer to home about wars here, or stories of people’s lives. Those were my favorites.”

I didn’t want to tell him that most of the ones I read were about families with parents that loved them. It had been my comforting thought that there were people out there that loved each other. I just wanted to have that in my life, even if it seemed unattainable most of the time.

“How did you survive all those years and come out so normal?” he asked.

“You call this normal?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m the most fucked up person you’ll ever meet. Well, maybe not the most, you might be right up there with me in terms of messed up.”

The sass came out, and I couldn’t help it. But his reaction didn’t make me sorry.

“That might be the most honest and hilarious thing I’ve heard in days.” Ian was laughing with me. “You’re also completely correct. I’m not what anyone would consider normal.”

He shrugged. “I mean, I keep girls in my basement because that’s not at all creepy or serial killer like.”

The wink he shot me sent a thrill through my body. I should keep talking as long as he’d let me, but I was shocked that he was enjoying himself and didn’t seem to be upset about it.

What was it they said about those that were kidnapped? Try to be seen as human to your captor. Make them identify with you and get to know you so they wouldn’t want to kill you.

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