Page 37 of Power and Possession

“You want to keep me here,” I spat. “Your own private whore. Despite what you think, I have way more self-respect than that.”

I rushed out of his room, slamming the door behind me. I sought refuge in my fake room, sitting on my cheap couch with my mother’s afghan wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I sobbed, wishing I’d never gotten involved with Steele. I should have cut his throat that first time in the kitchen.

After a few minutes, he knocked on the door, calling my name softly, but I ignored him. I didn’t want to see his stupid face, smell his damn cologne. He tried a few more times, and then he gave up.

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since last night. Our breakfast was interrupted by the argument. I decided to go downstairs and try to find the kitchen.I opened my dresser drawer and found my favorite pair of jeans, and pulled out a simple pink top. As much as I hated Steele, I was thankful to have my own clothing again.

I peered down the hall, hoping not to run into anyone. Once I was sure that the coast was clear, I tiptoed down the steps in my bare feet. The kitchen was easy to find; I could smell it way before I could see it. I pushed open a double door and came face to face with an elderly woman.

“Why, hello dear,” she said kindly, seemingly unsurprised by my presence. “Can I get you some lunch?”

It was a stark contrast from the first bit of captivity under Steele’s domain. It was hard to believe that I went from peeing in a bucket and begging for water to being cooked for in a mansion. Yet I felt guilty for enjoying these things when I was actually still being held against my will.

But…was I? I hadn’t tried to run since I was abducted by the men posing to work for my father. I was at an airport—twice—and I could have easily signaled for help. I could have run out of the restaurant and hailed a cab, I could have told someone, anyone I saw that I was a hostage and needed help. But instead, I ate salmon and made moon eyes across the table at my jailor.

“Something simple is fine,” I said, trying to shake away all the escape plans that came to me, and the irritation I felt for not thinking about them yesterday.

The woman turned and started bustling around the large kitchen. Like the rest of the house, it was both contemporary and traditional. High exposed beams ran through the ceiling, but the appliances and countertops were all modern.

I found a stool in the kitchen and sat down. It was nice to be around another person.

“What’s your name?” I asked, thinking maybe I could get her to help me escape.

“Glinda,” she said. “Yes, like inThe Wizard of Oz.” She laughed heartily, and I liked her immediately.

“I’m–”

“I know who you are, Miss Phillips. Mr. Steele told me howhe’s keeping you safe.”

I snorted, unable to help myself. “Did he tell you how he kidnapped me from my bed?”

“I’ll admit, Mr. Steele sometimes lives outside the boundaries of the law–”

“No kidding.”

“But deep down, he has a good heart.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say. Sure, he’d saved me a couple of times. But if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have needed saving. Bringing my stuff to his estate was kind, but if he hadn’t kidnapped me, I wouldn’t have lost my apartment. A small part of me wondered about the men who tried to abduct me. Would they have found me in Derbyshire? They managed to locate me at Steele’s, which made me think yes. Did his intervention save my life?

“Is everything okay, Miss Phillips?”

I nodded, my mind a million miles away. Glinda put a plate in front of me with meats and cheeses, along with some fresh fruit.

“Do you want a glass of wine?”

“I’m good, thanks,” I replied. “Where is Steele?”

“He has business to attend to. But he’s taking you to an event tonight.”

“Another one?”

Glinda nodded, scrubbing a pot in the sink vigorously. “He hates them, but most of his customers come from word of mouth. These types of events are for the wealthiest of the wealthy. Mr. Steele is one of them, of course.”

“What types of customers?” I had an inkling that Steele’s occupation consisted mostly of theft.

Glinda ignored me, humming while she turned to the stove to stir a large pot. It smelled amazing, but I was too irritated to ask her what it was. I scarfed down my food, wanting to explore a bit while Steele was away. She cleared my plate, and I thanked her and left the kitchen.

I nosed around the first floor, absentmindedly strokingthe elaborate curtains and looking at the view from each window. On the east side of the estate, there was a huge barn and what looked to be a riding arena, and I wondered if Steele owned horses. Directly behind the house was a serene little lake, and to the west there was a heavily wooded forest. I couldn’t see them, but I knew his security team was monitoring the perimeter of the estate. Whatever he did was dangerous enough to require a full security detail. I wanted no part in that type of life. My father’s dealings got me into this mess, and I wanted to be as far away from that world as I could.

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