Page 16 of The Killer Who Kept Me

“I…I don’t know the answers to your questions.” That was partially true. I really had no idea what Cosmo was up to, but I did know why Saros was interested in me.

“What happened in that office?” Ramsey leaned forward and grabbed my hand in a punishing grip.

“He…he said he hadn’t seen me before. Was skeptical of me. Asked me a ton of questions, and then he finally handed me the package.”

“What kind of questions?” He squeezed harder and I grunted. “Answer me!”

“He asked if I liked working for you and how much I was paid.” I wasn’t about to tell him I was offered a job. “He wanted my name.”

“Did you give it to him?”

“I told him I was Em, that’s all.”

“And did you tell him you liked working for me?”

“Yes, sir.” The pop of my knuckle as Ramsey squeezed forced out a scream.

“And what did you tell him I paid you?”

I was starting to sweat, the pain was immense. “I said enough to have a roof over my head and food in my belly.”

“And that appeased him?”

“Yes, sir. Please.”

He released me, and I could immediately tell my pinky was broken.

“I think it would be best for the next two days—until you’re to pick up the package—that you have time to reflect on why you are the biggest mistake in my life.”

“What? Why? I did all you asked me to do.”

“And yet you kept vital information from me. Jim,” he shouted.

“Sir, please. I need to be at the top of my game for Wednesday.”

“You’ll be released with plenty of time to freshen up.”

The doors slid open, and Jim stepped in.

“Jim, please escort Em to the basement.” Ramsey narrowed his eyes at me. “You won’t give him trouble will you?”

My eyes burned, but I wouldn’t let any tears fall. There was literally nothing I could do to please this man. Even when I did things right, whenever I worked it out some way to do the very thing he needed, it wasn’t enough.

“No, I won’t.”

“Good, then get out of my face.”

I followed Jim through the hallway. The kitchen buzzed again—clearly Ramsey was having guests tonight. He opened the basement door and while every part of me wanted to rebel and hit him and run, I’d never make it out of this house alive.

I descended the stairs, gripping the banister, knowing he’d shut it before I made it down and I’d be sheathed in darkness.

I didn’t really need light here. I’d been to this very basement more times than I could count. My foot hit the ratty mattress and I fell onto it, wincing as I jostled my finger. I’d need to find something here to make a splint.

I felt around for a while, happy once I found things that would work. I wrapped it up and lay back on the mattress. I’dfortunately just finished a Pop-tart from my stash prior to Jim coming to get me, so I was okay for food at the moment.

The throbbing of my finger and hand actually lulled me to sleep. I hoped I could stay that way until the door opened again. I wasn’t going to do any reflection down here…Well, I supposed that wasn’t true.

If I worked for Saros, I couldn’t imagine he’d ever break my hand, toss me into a basement, starve me, and tell me every second how much he hated me.

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