Chapter Nine
Rule Number Four
Silas
I 'm fucking exhausted. This day did not go according to plan, and all I want to do is collapse into my bed and sleep. I'll deal with the fallout from this shit storm tomorrow.
As I slide into bed, I make a conscious effort to stay on top of the covers, keeping my back towards Charlotte. I can almost feel her eyes boring holes into me.
"What do you think you're doing?" Her voice cuts through the silence, dripping with annoyance.
"I'm going to sleep, Charlotte. What does it look like?" I try to hide my amusement at her obvious displeasure.
She's had this attitude ever since I put those cuffs on her. A little over-dramatic, if you ask me. I saved her from a fate far worse than being stuck in a bed with me. I mean, we're sharing a luxury posturepedic mattress for fuck’s sake. How bad can it be?
I roll back slightly to get a clear view of her face.
"I have an early start tomorrow." And even earlier than my normal routine because I need to dump the pastor's body somewhere it will be discovered quickly. My new buddy Sterling needs something to occupy his time so he isn’t snooping around busting my balls .
"If you're keeping me here, the least you could do is let me have the bed." I've grown accustomed to sleeping alone. I haven’t shared a bed with anyone since I was a child. This isn’t exactly comfortable for me either, but it's entertaining to see her squirm.
"Looks to me like you're already in it, aren't you?" I point out the obvious, enjoying the way her eyes narrow in irritation.
"We are not sleeping in the same bed!" Her voice raises an octave, and her cheeks flush. Is she angry or embarrassed?
"Well, Princess, I’m really sorry but we are unable to accommodate that request here at the Voss Hotel. We only have one room available tonight and it’s a single bed. So, it looks like we're bunking together. I’ll stay on top of the covers, you’ll stay cuffed, and we’ll be just fine.”
"Then uncuff me and I'll sleep on the couch. And don't call me Princess."
I raise an eyebrow at her. "Do I look like an idiot?" I let my gaze wander to her slender wrist, still bound by the metal cuff.
"Do you really want me to answer that question?" Her retort, laced with sarcasm, comes quickly. But there's a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. I roll back away from her, hiding my own.
"Do you honestly think I'd let you wander around my place, uncuffed?" I pause, considering my next words. "Trust is earned, not given. You'll have to earn it. Goodnight, Princess."
As I turn off the light, I know she's still glaring at me. This is going to be an interesting arrangement, to say the least. I have a feeling this girl is about to turn my carefully crafted world of order and control into total fucking chaos.
A sharp pain shoots through my side. My eyes snap open, and I'm met with darkness. "What the—" My words are cut short as pain rips through me again.
"Silas, wake up!" Charlotte's voice cuts through the haze of sleep, and I realize she's kicking me. Her foot connects with my ribs, and I wince.
"Ow, damn it, Charlotte. Stop! I'm awake." I reach out and grasp her foot, preventing another assault.
"I have to pee," she says, her voice filled with indignation, clearly annoyed. As if it's my fault she has a tiny bladder.
I glance at the clock, 4:03 AM. I have another 30 minutes before my alarm goes off.
She rears her leg back to kick me again and I manage to grab her leg, pulling it close to my side and holding her tight to keep her from kicking me again.
"Kick me again and I'll let you piss yourself," I grumble, tightening my grip on her leg as she squirms and struggles to break free. She doesn't hold back with her response either.
“Go right ahead, Officer. It’s your bed,” she shoots back. “I'd think a seasoned detective like yourself should be able to put two and two together and figure out that would be a pissy situation for you to deal with. "
Fucking smartass. But she's also right, which pisses me off. I don’t like to be outmaneuvered. I tighten my grip on her thigh, silently willing her to back down, not wanting to let her know she's won this round.
This was a stupid fucking move.
Instead of keeping me from admitting my defeat, I realize how nice her thigh feels under my hand. How good the heat of her body feels pressed against mine.
Jesus Christ, Voss, she's only 17.
“Okay, okay. Give me a second." I quickly jump out of the bed, rubbing my eyes like that will erase the fucked-up thoughts going through my head. "Shit. I need to uncuff you."
She rolls her eyes. "Obviously. Did you have to cheat to pass your detective exam?”
"Don't you have to pee?" I ask, holding her gaze as I unlock the handcuff around her wrist. "You could move faster if your mouth wasn't open."
With a huff, she turns and begins walking toward the bathroom. I follow closely behind, my eyes trailing over her slender frame before forcing myself to look away.
She flips on the light and looks back at me, her eyes narrowing. "What? Are you going to watch me pee now?"
"No, I'm just scanning the room for anything you could use as a weapon. I sense some hostility from you, and it's making me feel a bit unsafe."
"Right, because I'm so dangerous," she mutters, rolling her eyes again. I can't help but chuckle at her reaction. It's clear she's not a fan of my sense of humor. "Says the guy who just used another man's face to mop up glass and then shoved what was left down his throat. "
I laugh. "I don't think we can really say Corey was a man, but fair enough. I'm just making sure you don't have any knives or ninja stars stashed anywhere. Can't be too careful, you know?"
“What?? Do you think I just routinely smuggle ninja stars in my vagina?”
“Well, that would be a pretty fucking cool party trick,” I admit, unable to keep a straight face.
“Uggghhhh!” She slams the door behind her, the sound echoing through my bedroom.
Leaning against the wall, I listen to the sounds on the other side of the door. The rustle of clothes and then the unmistakable sound of her peeing. I smirk to myself.
“I can hear you.”
“Stop!" she yells back at me, slightly annoyed, but mostly embarrassed. "Is this some kind of kink you have or something?” Then I hear her mumble under hear breath, "Such a fucking weirdo."
I wait for Charlotte to finish up in the bathroom. A few moments pass before the door opens and she steps out, her gaze fixed on me. I gesture to the bed, and she hesitates, her body stiffening, challenging me in a silent protest.
"Do you want me to throw your ass over my shoulder again, or are you going to walk this time?"
She scowls at me but when she sees I'm not backing down, she begins walking over to the bed and climbs in. I feel a strange sense of satisfaction watching her crawl into my bed. She's safe here with me. Protected.
"You know this isn't necessary," she tells me as I secure the handcuff around her wrist .
"You and I don't exactly see eye to eye on what we consider necessary. I think us staying out of prison is necessary. You having the ability to freely move around my house when I'm not here, or to leave, is not."
"I understand that, Silas, I meant it's not necessary because I'm not going anywhere."
I shake the handcuff on her wrist. "I know you're not going anywhere. I made sure of it."
"I have to be able to go to the bathroom! You can't leave me cuffed to your bed all day."
"I can't, huh?" Without another word, I turn and walk out of the room.
"Silas! Silas, come back!" Her pleas follow me through the house as I make my way to the garage, tugging at something deep inside of me.
It surprises me when I have to force myself to keep walking. The guilt I feel hearing her yell my name is new for me. I've done terrible things, a lot of them. Things that would haunt most people's nightmares, and yet I've never once felt guilty about any of them, until now.
On the wall of my garage, a variety of chains hang from hooks.
I survey them briefly before selecting one that is about 15 feet in length.
It's the perfect length to give her a bit more freedom while still keeping her securely tethered to my bed.
With the chain in hand, I make my way back into the house.
As I enter the kitchen, I sit the chain down on the counter and begin gathering ingredients.
I prepare two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, making sure to put the peanut butter on both pieces of bread so it doesn't get soggy.
I wrap them up then grab some fruit, granola bars, and a couple bottles of water.
At least with her here I'll know she has eaten. Always a silver lining, even when committing multiple felonies .
When I return to the bedroom, Charlotte is already back to sleep. Good, that will make things much easier. Her chest rises and falls gently, her dark lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. I place the food and water on the nightstand, careful not to make a sound.
As I lay the chain down, I retrieve a second pair of handcuffs from my closet. I cuff one end of the chain to the bed, the other end to the handcuff around her wrist.
With the new setup, she has enough slack to enter the bathroom. My closet and any potential exits are well out of her reach. This should keep her secured while I'm away at work.
I spot her red backpack lying on the floor where I left it when she was in the shower. I need to make sure she doesn't have a phone in there. Unzipping the main compartment reveals a stack of textbooks. I make a mental note to speak with Sydney; she'll need her schoolwork to finish school.
In the side pocket, I find my business card. Continuing my search, I come across a small wallet in the front pocket. Inside is the cash I gave her, along with her school ID.
Lancaster High School, Name-Charlotte Ames, Grade-12, Student ID-05317-0525, D.O.B- October 8th