Page 91 of Resistant

The house is nestled deep in the swamp and a dock stretches out behind the house into the deep murky water in the bayou. A breeze kicks up and dead leaves swirl in a violent circle in front of the house.

I shudder, thinking this might be a bad omen. I haven’t seen another home or store for miles. My isolation is purposeful. I could never escape here on foot.

“What do you think, ma lagniappe? It’s quaint, don’t you think, yes? I had the house refurbished a few years ago; you should find it very comfortable. You will find it similar to your world from The Before.

The staff is small, a housekeeper and a groundskeeper. But they know who you are ma lagniappe, they know who you are to me and your potential to the rest of the world. They will be pleasant, but they are primarily your jailers.

I have more than 100 men stationed here to keep you safe from anyone trying to get in or out. Any ideas you have of escape, go ahead and let them go on the bayou breeze ma lagniappe; it will be impossible for you here. You would die in the swamps before you make it to civilization.”

I nod at him, keeping my thoughts to myself and he continues as if I haven’t acknowledged him.

“There is only one bedroom downstairs, you and I will share it when I’m here. Daisy and Carter occupy the two small rooms upstairs. Upstairs is their domain, please grant them their privacy. They are nice people and will treat you well.

Any replacement I must hire due to your behavior will not be so amicable in your company. Do not test me ma lagniappe. Not many people will agree to live out here in the swamps, alone.”

“What is this place, Knox?”

“It’s the Bayou Brynn, full of snakes, alligators, and all other manner of creatures. You’d do well to remember it.” He chuckles.

He drops my suitcase in the small master suite. It’s stunning, but I have no interest in décor. It’s a pretty cell.

Knox fixes himself a drink, swirling amber liquid in the short glass. He sits in an armchair, and I sit next to him in its matching twin. The fireplace is cold before us, and I stare at it for long moments.

Knox hands me a book I left open on the nightstand at the compound.

“I’ll light a fire, and have Daisy fix us a light dinner. She customarily has cold cuts of meat and cheese. Would you like that, Brynn?”

I nod, determined to remain silent. There is a picture of a boy on the mantle, and I study it.Whose house is this?

There are small collectibles everywhere I look, so different from the cold impersonal mansion we left. I open the book in my lap and try to focus on the novel and forget about the promised consequences of my actions.

“We left quite a bit of unrest in the city Brynn. The Resistance was getting too close to the compound and this move was coming anyway. Your little stunt with White moved up the timetable.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since you are not a willing participant in my life, this move was always going to happen. If you won’t meet my needs in the castle, the prince must send his spoiled princess to the shack, so she realizes the gift she’s lost.”

“This place is hardly a shack.”

“Correct Brynn, but it is isolated, and I expect you’ll suffer loneliness like you’ve never known here. It may help you realize who I am, and what I can be for you.”

I think back on my time in the concentration camp and realize Knox has just grossly underestimated what I can withstand.

He sits back in his chair and looks at me over his glass. I stuff down the panic bubbling in my chest. I know the punishment that’s coming based on how he’s sitting in the chair. I just don’t know what I’m being punished for. He tosses a pillow on the floor between his legs.

“Come here, Brynn, and show your prince how sorry you are.”

Every evening, Knox requires me to service him in the worst way. I sleep in his bed, his large body curled around mine. My jaw aches from keeping my mouth open for so long and my throat is clogged with unshed tears.

I have none of the peace I experienced with Declan. Knox’s cologne surrounds me, it smells so good, but my associations with it make me nauseous.

Sometimes my body shakes uncontrollably when I smell his aftershave in an empty room.

I’ve learned that Knox can move silently and does so most of the time so he can sneak up on me. I have nothing left to hide; the secret phone remains at his compound. I don’t know if Declan or my boys are alive. Hopelessness slithers through me and mine is a meager existence.

Knox stays at the house in the bayou for a month, I have a new wardrobe, much more casual with jeans sweaters, and waterproof boots. I also have a thick coat with hats and scarves.

I’m allowed to go outside in this prison, which is an improvement from the last by far. I’ll ask Daisy to get me some running shoes too, so I can stay in shape.

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