Collateral Damage Read Online Free PDF Page B

you're wasting your time."
    His eyes narrowed. He straightened. "Come with me."
    We left the room together. I followed a few steps behind him, sobs behind closed doors quickening my pace. Up the stairs, into a modern, dream kitchen.
    "Make what you want, and we will go outside so you can enjoy some fresh air while you eat." Vince moved to the dining area across from the open kitchen, leaning against the wall in the shadows beyond the reaches of the sole light above the stainless steel stove. "This is not a privilege you must earn from me . . . but if you try to escape, I won't be able to—"
    "I won't leave without Alrik." I turned my back on him, refusing to acknowledge his gift. In the cupboard I found a jar of Skippy and some blueberry jam. The bread was in the antique, wooden breadbox on the counter. I made a sandwich as I spoke. "Don't worry about that."
    As soon as I figure out where his room is, all bets are off.
    "Alrik has more value than you ever will." Vince slid open the screen door and waited for me to join him. "Remember that ."
    Got it. I took a big bite of my sandwich and made my way to the iron bistro set at the end of the large patio. Overhead, the moon hung like a bare bulb in a basement, its glow doing little to light up the night. The stars had blinked out. Closed eyes in the heavens, ignorant to the evils below. Ignorance is bliss, as they say, and what is heaven but pure bliss? Go there, and you get to pretend everyone left behind is okay.
    Keep it up. I smiled cynically at a solitary star glinting through the haze around the moon. Next, you'll be asking daddy if he's looking down on you. If he'll help you. Maybe, this time, you'll get an answer.
    "Stay in the moment." Vince came up behind me. "The past can't save you."
    I snorted and shook my head. "And you can?"
    "I would try, if I understood." He put his hands on the back of the chair, framing me with his arms, but not touching me. "Why do you surround yourself with children?
    You are bitter, but you find hope in them. Do you seek to right some wrong in your own life? What purpose do they serve?"
    The answer was easy, but I didn't expect him to get it. The guy might as well have been from some other planet. He genuinely saw everything I did as self-serving.
    Either that or he put on a damn good act. "I have something to give, something they need. You want to know what I get out of it? I feel like I'm worth something. Greedy bitch, aren't I?"
    "I wish you were." He brushed his hand lightly over my hair, and the short strands at my nape prickled up. "A bitch would be easier to tame. Attitude is such a thin shield."
    "I won't be tamed." I crushed my sandwich. Jelly oozed over the back of my hand. Peanut butter gummed up between my fingers. "I won't."
    "Yes, you will." He gave my hair a little tug. "Are you done with your meal?"
    "Yes."
    "Go inside, and clean up."
    For a moment or several, I didn't budge. I listened to his slow, even breaths, pacing my own, never changing. Heavy breathing meant arousal, exertion, excitement.
    Measured breaths indicated control. And mine slipped. My pulse sped up, thunking hard in my chest, in my head. I convinced myself he could hear it.
    "Inside, Nicole."
    I forced myself to stand, took ten steps across the patio, five across the kitchen.
    Turned the tap three times to blast the cold water. I did everything slowly, methodically. The cold numbed my fingertips, but I kept my hands under the icy stream until they lost all color. Then washed them twice.
    Vince came up behind me and turned the faucet off. His chest pressed against my back. His erection rubbed my butt.
    I closed my eyes and braced my hands on the edge of the sink.
    He's going to do it. And that's good. Better to get it over with.
    "Time to go back to your room. I will show you Alrik's lesson plan in the morning." Vince put his hand on my hip, guiding me the twelve steps to the basement door. Down the twenty-five—
    "You cannot shut me out, Nicole. Think of