Page 45 of Corrupted

“I do. Most of all, I feel paranoid, like I’m next.” His voice gives me chills. I put away my pen because I know that I’m not supposed to record this. If this were any other country, I would have to report his confession.

I wouldn’t want to report him, though. It feels wrong.

Jordan continues, “But I know that I can’t be next. I can’t be killed, you see. You can’t put me in handcuffs. You can’t confine me to a cell.”

“That’s good,” I blurt out.

“Is it, my little doe?”

I nod eagerly. “Nobody rules over you.”

“And nobody ever will. Do you want to know why?”

I must have my doe eyes on because his face softens. “You think you’re invincible.”

“I don’t think so, little doe. I am. If you come for me, I’ll end you. It can be quick, or I can take my time. Patience is my virtue.” He takes one of my hands, grabbing it tightly. My heart explodes. “You see, imagine four decades. Can you visualize the baggage? That’s almost my entire life.”He actually listens. “I created a monster in those four decades, and that’s my advantage. I’ve been on the run for as long as I can remember, and I don’t recall what it’s like to be the victim anymore.”

“When will you stop running?” I ask, a little too breathless for my liking. “When will you finally rest?”

“Now that’s an unfathomable question.”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you that I’ve found a new psychiatrist for you,” I inform him. I’ve been selfish, wanting him to myself. I can study all I want, but there are things that I don’t understand about his life, and I never will. I grew up adopted, removed from my culture, an outsider. I went to good schools, graduated early, and with honors. I wore designer clothes, and I took trips with my girlfriends to places like Zante or Rome. Outside of the obvious difference in looks between my British friends and me, I had a life of joy.

Until I didn’t…

“Who would that be?” he asks.

“Mr. Bradley. He and his wife are new additions to the team. They’re Howard University graduates, fresh out of school. They like the concept of Katantia, so they applied for jobs here,” I inform him. I fidget with my fingers, and he grabs hold of my other hand as well.

“What is it?”

“I should’ve done this earlier. I have a voice on the board… This is my fault,” I blurt out. He doesn’t move to comfort me, and I’m glad that he doesn’t. It’s not about me. I’m fine. He’s the one who came to me for help, and I gave him none.

“I’ll have to look intoMr. Bradley,” Jordan says. His intense gaze makes me shudder. “Have they moved in yet?”

“Yes, they live upstairs,” I reveal.

“So, they’ll hear when I fuck you tonight?”

“I don’t think anyone can actuallyhear—”

He interrupts me, “They can.”

“But we’re friends now, aren’t we?” I ask. My body wants this, but I’m conflicted. He’s calm now, and I don’t want to disrupt his inner peace. If I start being needy again, he might get overwhelmed.

“Look, I’m too old to play games.” He shifts in his seat, leaning forward. I don’t move from my spot. His closeness tantalizes me. It’s physical, but I feel his energy in my soul. I don’t want it to ever fade. “What are we doing here? Do you want to be friends, or do you want to fuck?”

I blush, craving him. “We can do both. I like multi-tasking.”

He’s got an appetite for me. His gaze runs over me, leaving me in a frenzy. “Do you want to be my object for real?”

“Can you ask me to be your girlfriend first?” I plead, delirious.

“There’s my needy little doe. Do you want to be my girlfriend?” His fingers rub over the top of my hand. It’s not erotic per se, but when he does it, it’s titillating.

I ask, “What does that entail exactly?”

“You get to suck my cock as often you want,” he says, and his corrupt smirk drenches me.

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