Page 26 of Kings of Desire
‘Then what is it?’ His tone too calm to be real.
‘I was thinking that if you want to make a gullible background, maybe we should change the part where you do charity work.’ He seemed so far off from the type to even consider something like that. Certainly a taker and not a giver.
‘There are five dinners in the Pit that every night after 10 pm serve warm food to whoever needs it. All mine. Would you like to change the charity part of the story in your case?’
Speechless. That’s how he left me, with a cold chill running down my spine. I had judged him when I was the last person ever entitled to do that.
‘No. It’s ok. I didn’t mean-’
‘Then just keep your mouth shut and listen.’
I nodded.
‘We’ve been together for five months, and we currently live together in Salt City.’
The name brought a painful past to count me ‘That’s where I’m from.’
‘Good, then you’ll know what to answer if anyone plans on a visit there. Main attractions, and places. Though I doubt there is anything of interest there.’
And he was right. Just dirt and poverty covered the streets while the Elite seemed like peasants compared to the luxurious part of Echo City.
‘We should have everything covered. If something emerges, we’ll improvise.’
‘Can I ask a question?’
‘You will ask at some point even if I say no, so we might as well get this over with now.’ I was starting to believe he was the best judge of character I’ve met because he was 100% right.
‘Why are we doing this? Why didn’t you just go there alone?’
‘I need access to someone. He has never seen my face but knows of me. I don’t want him or his guards to suspect who I am. A couple draws less attention, and if I play my cards right I’ll get what I want. Now, if you’re done, I have some work to do before we get there.’
His attention turned towards his phone, where it remained for the rest of the drive. Not that I had anything against it since I didn’t want him in any way to be focusing on me. There was something very twisted about this man, and even though he wasn’t the definition of the regular textbook psychopath, I reckoned that he wasn’t falling far behind.
After around an hour’s drive, the car stopped in the middle of nowhere ‘Come, we need to get out,’ he waited for me to get out then followed me outside.
‘Where is it?’ I couldn’t see anything around us for miles as the most sinister thoughts began prowling my mind.
‘It’s not here. We’re just changing cars,’ and as he spoke a couple of headlights lit in the foggy darkness, revealing a similar limousine to the one Ace rented the other day. ‘Get in before you freeze to death.’
It was a lot colder than in the city, and the few minutes spent outside were already making me wrap my arms around myself, trying to preserve body warmth.
The limo drive was pretty short, reaching the luxurious destination right after we entered the city.
‘Just stay calm and everything will be just fine,Joshuawrapped an arm around my waist to escort me out of the car, and he made sure it stuck there from the invitation checkout point until the majestical ballroom where the event was taking place.
I was stunned, having never witnessed such grandeur ‘There are so many people in here,’ I whispered looking all around me.
‘You only have to focus on one person. Me.’ His grip tightened, as his voice changed from rough to extremely seductive. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was trying to charm his way under my skin. ‘Let’s go to the bar for now. I need another drink.’
‘What will the lady have?’ The bartender rushed to ask, ready to prepare us drinks.
‘Water, please,’ I answered the bartender who looked at me as if I cussed him.
‘And a whiskey double for me.’Joshuanodded. ‘Slow down. You wouldn’t want to get too drunk,’ he cackled looking at my glass.
Was that humor? I suspected him of a lot of things except that.
And I suddenly decided I should let him know that it didn’t pass unobserved ‘Your mood seems to have improved.’
