Chapter 9 #2
I hear someone enter the room I just left. I need to find a place to hide, but when I hear their words, I can’t move. I’m frozen in place, mesmerized.
“What do I expect from you, pet?”
There’s a small cry. “That I show deference and humility, sir.”
My cheeks flame. My pulse races. I’m having a hard time breathing.
“Mmm. What else?”
“That I follow your instructions without question.”
I stand, transfixed, even as I know I shouldn’t be here where just anyone can see me.
“This is an important lesson you need to heed. You must learn to control your temper because you know I hold you to a higher standard. And what happens when you speak out of turn?”
What happens? Oh my God, I need to know what happens.
This is a private conversation, though. I shouldn’t be here, listening. It’s wrong. And since I can’t go back in that room, I should maybe… find Thayer.
If I act like I belong here, no one would notice me, I reason. I’ll just sneak away—
“Hello?” The voice is behind me. My heart thumps madly.
I turn slowly, but whoever it is stands in the darkened corner of the room.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
As she steps into the dim light, I breathe in a sigh of relief. Tall and slender with long blonde hair that nearly hits her ass, Nicolette’s friend Cosette looks at me with concern.
“Cosette.” My voice is choked.
“Savannah?” she whispers. “Is that you?”
“Yes.”
She looks to the left and right. “You aren’t supposed to be in here. Thayer will lose his mind. This room is public with no security restriction.”
I tell her quickly why I’m here. Her eyes widen. “Someone was in the playroom? That’s locked until noon.” She strokes her chin. “I’ll have to tell Thayer about this. Are they still there?”
“Yes, but I don’t know if you should—”
She opens the door. I cover my mouth with my hand and look for cover.
“No one’s in here now,” she says. “Come on. Are you sure you heard voices?”
I give her a look that tells her I did, in fact, hear voices, and not the kind in my head.
“Okay, okay,” she says. “He wanted to keep you safe, and I know he’ll be back here soon.” She glances at a clock on the wall. “Your sister arrived this morning. Have you seen her yet?”
My heart squeezes. “No.”
Cosette looks at me with concern. “I don’t know why you’re here,” she says softly. “I don’t know what’s going on at all, but I know Nicolette’s supposed to be traveling now. I just saw her by the dance floor.” Her brow knits. “Are you safe?”
A lump rises in my throat. “That depends,” I answer. “Is being with Thayer safe?”
Her eyes soften as she reaches for my hands to give me a little squeeze. “There’s no safer place to be.” My heart turns. “Listen, I have to go,” she whispers. “I was supposed to be somewhere five minutes ago. But I know we have a haircut to take care of, so I’ll see you soon.”
She leaves after giving me another hand squeeze.
I want to see my sister.
I want to take what may be my only chance to see this place.
Thayer said he’d punish me, and not only do I not care anymore, I want to see what that looks like. Curiosity floods me at the thought of what he’ll do if I disobey him and hell, I reason, he put me in this room that wasn’t safe at all.
I look around the meditation room. Cosette said it was a public room, which I’m guessing means I should be able to access other rooms from here.
I’ll move quickly and won’t talk to anyone. I want to see my sister.
I open the door and look quickly down the hallway. I hear voices and see shadows of people in the distance, but no one is nearby.
The dance floor. Nicolette’s by the dance floor, Cosette said. Thayer and Fabien were going there as well.
I walk as if I belong here, as if I know where I’m going and why. My heart beats with excitement as I start to take in more details.
This place looks amazing.
There’s a room lined with mirrors, a workout area that leads to an enormous hot tub and steam room. As I walk past the spa-like accommodations, I see more and more, curiosity propelling me forward until I’ve nearly forgotten I came to find Nicolette.
“Savannah.”
My heart leaps at the sound of my name. Thayer and Fabien stand nearby, both of them glaring at me. Thayer reaches for me. “Is there a reason why you’re not where you should be?”
I swallow. “Several.”
He takes me by the arm. My pulse spikes at the look on his face, and I know then that I’ve crossed a line.
“I told you not to test me,” he warns.
Fabien purses his lips. “You could put her in my custody.”
I blink. Uh, excuse me? What the hell does that mean? Being in Fabien’s custody would be punitive, like I’m a child in need of protection.
“I don’t need to be in anyone’s custody.” Ugh, the nerve!
He looks from me to Thayer. “I know how Thayer will keep you in line, and if your sister—”
“I’m an adult,” I say through gritted teeth, suddenly angry that I’ve been tossed around like a stuffed doll and treated like I don’t have the wherewithal to know what’s good for me. “Thayer is doing a fine job of handling me, and what my sister thinks doesn’t matter.”