Page 44 of Invisible Bars
“Well, I don’t hire mean people; I’m the only one allowed to be that.”
Imanio took a sip from his mug before adding, “But I won’t be that to you… unless you make me.”
His tone dropped just a bit—stern but not cruel. More… promising.
“Not in a way where I’m belittling you or making fun of you,” he cleared, leaning back in his chair slightly. “In other ways.”
The thought of him ever being mad at me turned me on right then. The way his jaw clenched just enough, the way his voice carried that low thrum of control—it shouldn’t have stirred anything in me… but it did. My mind went places I had nobusiness visiting; places where he was above me, behind me, inside me—claiming, commanding, conquering.
I shook myself loose from those lewd thoughts before they took over completely.
“O-Okay,” I stammered, my voice shaky and soft.
Imanio’s gaze lingered on me a moment longer than necessary, as if he somehow sensed the shift in my thoughts. Then, in his usual calm tone, he informed me, “Besides, I told them about your condition, so they’re aware.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Y-You did?”
“Yes. If you’re going to be staying here, they needed to be. That way, they won’t accidentally trigger you. And if they purposely do… they’ll answer to me.”
A tremor worked its way through me—not from fear, but from something heavier, more potent. It dragged low, somewhere beneath the ribs, where nerves and knowing collide.
“Th-Thank you,” I murmured. “I usually don’t tic much around people I’m… comfortable with.”
“Then we’ve got some work to do.”
In that moment, I couldn’t tell if my nerves were spiraling out of control because of the situation or because of him… maybe both. Either way, I was in trouble.
We sat in silence for a moment until I bravely revealed, "I know who you are… the real you."
My tic flared again—my fingers flexed against the cushion, and my head gave the faintest jerk.
“Tsss. Tsss. Tsss. Danger detected!” I yelped.
Imanio appeared unfazed, like he was already used to my unpredictable outbursts.
“Do you now?” he asked, voice low and edged with curiosity. “Enlighten me on what youthinkyou know.”
My breath stuttered. My fingers twitched against my fork. Then came the first tic—a sharp shoulder jerk, followed by a muttered, “Lobster claws!”
I flinched and tried to push through. “Y-You’re Imanio Kors,” I started, then stopped as another tic emerged. “Grapes got legs!”
His expression still didn’t change.
“You’re the CEO of Kors Luxe Development,” I forced out. “I’ve seen you in commercials… b-billboards.” Another tic. “Alexa works for the Illuminati, don’t act brand new!”
My lips smacked involuntarily, and I coughed once to reset.
“You’re thirty-five… I think. Your company has luxury real estate on… on three continents. You—spaghetti knees! You launched a financial app that replaced three major b-banks in six months.”
I took a shaky breath, trying to calm my flaring nerves, even though my foot kept tapping under the table like it had a mind of its own.
“You don’t just own buildings; you o-own the companies inside of them. You’re basically… a monopoly with a six-pack." I paused as my shoulder gave a sharp shrug and I muttered under my breath, “Monopoly my ass!” I continued. “I didn’t recognize you right away the other night because… well, m-murder tends to cloud memory,” I explained, tensing again. “But you’re definitely him.”
A long silence passed between us before Imanio finally spoke.
“I must say… very impressive work,” he replied coolly, resting an elbow on the table. “I see you’ve done your research on me… as I have on you. But you seem to know anawfullot about your kidnapper.”
His gaze narrowed slightly—half a smirk, half seriousness.
