Chapter 9
“Hi… Sorry,” Riley says, putting his hand back down, reluctantly backing away from the doorway. “Everything okay?” His deep voice is full of concern.
Looking up at him like he said something crazy, Liz takes a small step back. “You mean, other than being forced to stay here until some asshole in a fancy coat decides I’m not a threat to him? I’m fucking peachy,” she says, flashing him a fake smile.
“At least you have enough energy to be a smart ass,” Riley says, rolling his eyes.
He knows he should feel bad for antagonizing her but making her mad is the only time he’s seen life in her eyes since she attacked him in that cell. He does a slow sweep over her body, once again checking to make sure she isn’t hurt, or more hurt than she has been.
Liz wraps her arms around herself, all too aware of the thin white shirt that doesn’t leave anything to the imagination.
He tracks her arms with his eyes, quickly looking away when he realizes what she’s doing.
“I was just coming to try and convince you to eat something,” he says, noting her change in attitude.
He turns and walks back into the living room, wanting to give her the space she needs.
“One of my men is on the way with some food,” he says, glancing at the time on the tv again. “You like burgers?”
“Yeah? I guess,” she says, more a question than an answer.
Liz takes a deep breath, counting to five in her head before stepping into the small living room, the brightness from the window causing her head to throb again.
She peers over, spotting a white box attached to both halves of the window, silently wishing Riley had lied about the alarm.
“I…” She stumbles over the words, trying to say the right thing to not upset him. Liz tries and fails to stop herself from blurting out the only thing on her mind. Blowing out a breath in frustration, she finally blurts— “Why are you being nice to me?”
“Do you want me to be a dick instead? Force you to do what I want?” He sits on the couch, pulling out his phone and typing something into it before sliding it back into his pants pocket.
Something about the way he said that sends chills through her body.
“You know that’s not what I meant!” she says, voice raising slightly.
“I just don’t get why you’re going through all this trouble.
Why not just let that little guy in the jacket lock me up?
Better yet, why not just kill me yourself since everyone thinks I’m involved with what’s his name.
Seems like it would save everyone a lot of trouble. ”
Riley throws his head back and lets out a deep laugh. Liz just glares at him, wondering what she said that can possibly be that funny. He looks over to see Liz watching him, her green eyes simmering with anger.
A sharp knock cuts through his laughter, pulling their attention from each other.
Riley gets up from his spot on the couch and walks over to the door, cracking it open.
As he bends down to pick up the bag of food, he can still feel Liz’s eyes on him.
He turns, confirming his suspicions that she’s still watching him.
“Easy, love. I’m not laughing at you,” he says, walking over to the small table behind the couch and setting the bag down.
“I’ve just never heard anyone refer to the general as…
what did you call him?” He rips the bag open and starts pulling out things in foil wrappers, plopping one at each seat at the table.
“Oh yeah… that little guy in the jacket.”
Done with the conversation, Liz turns and storms back to her room.
“Wait,” Riley calls after her.
She stops, giving him an undeserving chance to continue with whatever bullshit she knows is about to come out of his mouth, reminding herself that she can’t shut down if she's going to gain his trust.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?”
Arms crossed, Liz waits for him to finish the apology she knows she deserves.
“I shouldn’t be fucking with you after everything you’ve been through, but that’s the only time you seem to care. When you’re not mad at one of us, you look like you’re just waiting to die”
He finishes putting out the food before going and grabbing a few things from the small refrigerator. Riley sets them both on the table and sits down, ripping into his burger. Immediately, Liz is hit with the scent of meat and fried deliciousness.
“It’s been three days, that means eight since you’ve had food. Please, eat something,” he says, looking at her, eyes pleading. He kicks the chair from under the table so it slides out.
She isn’t sure if it’s an invitation or an order. Despite her best efforts to ignore him, Liz takes a few steps toward the table. She watches him with genuine curiosity as he takes a large bite of the burger, noting something off about him.
“Is your mask different again?” she asks with a puzzled look, letting her empty stomach guide her decisions.
Riley puts his food down and looks at her. Having no idea how to answer, he silently sips his beer.
“You look like you’re trying to be Batman.” She pulls the chair the rest of the way out and gently sits, her whole body aching with the movement.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he says smirking, picking his food back up and taking another bite.
“Don’t. Batman’s trash.”
Riley nearly chokes, quickly hitting himself in the chest a few times to make the food in his mouth go down. He drags his eyes up to hers, full of amusement. Before he has the chance to come up with a response, she opens her mouth and asks—
“Is that why you have some weird hero complex? Because you idolize him?” She asks.
“Oh that's just mean. Has it crossed your mind that maybe I'm just a soldier, trying to do what I swore an oath to do and keep you safe? There is no hero complex, just a man trying to make sure you don't starve to death.”
“If I do eat, what are you going to make me do in return?” Her melodic voice is laced with fear.
“What makes you think I want something in return?” he asks, trying not to appear hurt that she would think he’s expecting some sort of payment.
“Men like you always want something in return,” Liz says, barely more than a whisper.
It’s then he realizes she’s willing to do it, she’s willing to give him anything he wants in exchange for a meal and basic human decency.
He looks over at the broken woman, reminding himself it’s only been three days since he’s rescued her.
No one knows the extent of what those bastards did to her, and she doesn’t know he would never take advantage of someone like that.
“Love, you’ve never met a man like me. Those men, the ones who get off on hurting women, the ones who expect you to bow to them for giving you the smallest amount of kindness…
those men fucking fear me.” Fire rages in his deep amber eyes.
“I’m never going to ask for anything I wouldn’t give myself.
I just need answers. I told you, you’re safe.
I’ve already dealt with a few of the men who hurt you, and if you ever feel like telling me more, I will deal with the rest.”
Liz watches him, not able to tell if he’s being honest, she simply waits.
Riley reaches back into the bag and pulls out a small paper box full of fries.
That gets her attention. He holds the box out to her, hoping and praying she takes the food.
It’s been so long since Liz has eaten real food, she decides whatever he demands in return will be worth it.
She doesn’t give herself time to change her mind before grabbing a fry and popping it into her mouth.
Riley watches Liz eat, her eyes fluttering closed, wondering how long it’s been since she had food she actually enjoyed. He sets the box down and slides it over to her, hoping she will eat the rest.
“I have an idea, since you’re willing to be out here,” he says, her eyes snapping to his, knowing it was coming.
“Nothing like that, love. Just an answer for an answer.” He waits for her to object, when she doesn’t say anything, he continues. “I’ll answer any questions you have, if you answer some of my questions.”
“I already told you; I don’t know anything about that Russian guy you’re all obsessed with. All I know is I pissed him off and suffered for it.” She pops another fry into her mouth.
“I know,” Riley says, taking a large swig of the beer in his hand. “But maybe if we know more about you, we can figure out what he wanted with you. Your choice, I won’t force you into anything.”
He continues to eat his food, giving her time to think about what he said. Letting her decide if she’s willing to place the smallest amount of trust in him or not. He glances over when he hears her toying with the wrapper on the burger.
“Okay,” she says, noting the instant relief on his face. She stays silent, not moving as she waits for him to ask his first question.
“How old are you?”
“32… You?” Liz responds.
“35… What’s your full name?”
“Elizabeth Daniels.” She thinks for a minute, debating on what she should ask. “Same question.” Her eyes narrow, glaring at him, fully expecting him to refuse an answer.
“Riley Corson. Why ask personal questions you don’t care to know the answer to?”
“That counts as your question. You obviously worked hard to hide your identity. I mean c’mon, you’re wearing a mask in your own room. It would be stupid to not to know your real name, if that actually is your real name. I may need to see some I.D” she responds, shrugging her shoulders.
Hoping her smart ass response doesn’t upset him enough to take the food back, she watches as Riley reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his well worn leather wallet.
A small plastic card gets plopped down in between them while Liz takes a too large bite of her burger. Her face twists in disgust.
“Oh come on, it's not that bad of a picture,” Riley teases