Systematic Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

pursued it underground. What made you choose BioSystems engineering
of all things?”
    “I
worked for you. I became interested in it.”
    He
looked like he wanted to ask something else, but instead told her it was her
turn, and then took a few more bites of his burger. The next question sprang to
her mind, and she simply blurted it out. “How did you recognize I was having a
panic attack?”
    The
second it was out of her mouth, she realized he’d ask her about the attack when
it was his turn. Her many shrinks over the years would say she’d done it on
purpose, because she wanted to tell him. Blair would agree with them, though at
the thought of spilling her guts completely to him, her pulse raced. That could
also be because of the hot sauce on the burger, however.
    You still don’t have to tell him
everything.
    That
was true. She put down her burger and waited to see if he’d answer her question
or side-step it.
    He
cleared his throat softly before he spoke. “Shortly before I made it
underground, there was a massive wind and rain storm where I lived. I was in a
warehouse at the time, taking stock of items I still hoped to sell or give away
before I moved my business underground for good. You know what the storms were
like back then. Same as they are now up there.”
    She
nodded, then acted on pure instinct and took his hands the way he’d done to her
earlier. The tenderness in his eyes at her gesture nearly burst her heart. This
man would never hurt her like Donny and so many others had done. She knew that
as suddenly as if neon lights had flashed the message on the wall behind him.
    He
gave them a quick squeeze before continuing. “There was no rhyme or reason to
them. They simply came out of nowhere. I had no time to get out of the building
and drive or run away from the area. I was stuck. The flooding was massive and
quick. It was a four-story building, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that
within twenty minutes the water was up to the second story.”
    “Oh
my God. Did you try to call for help?”
    He
shook his head slightly. “Yeah, but trust me. There was no one to help and no
way for them to do it even if they could get there. The wind was starting to
catch the roof tiles. I could hear it. I hid in an interior room on the top
floor and prayed.”
    Sweat
broke out along her hairline just picturing it. Her heart went out to this man
who worked so hard to keep them alive under these cities. She knew people who
had been in storms on the surface before making it underground, and you never
got over something like that. Not entirely. That he’d gone through an
experience like that and had still successfully rebuilt his business was a
testament to his strength.
    “Just
as quickly as the storm started it stopped, but it took over forty-eight hours
before the water receded to the point I could get out. The power was out, and
the building had no running water. I had no food with me, and I found only a
few bottles of water in the fridge on the second floor, but I couldn’t get to
them until the next morning. Oh, and there was a jar of peanut butter that hadn’t
been ruined by the water in one of the cupboards. Yes, I ate the entire thing.”
    “I’m
so sorry.”
    “Those
were the last days I spent above ground. The inventory still in the warehouse
was ruined, and I simply left it there. The entire time while the water
receded, I made plans in my head to leave and move underground. I couldn’t
imagine chancing it and waiting for the next storm. I tried not to picture what
would happen if it did while I was still stuck in that building.”
    “I’m
surprised the water receded enough for you to leave in such a short time.”
    “I
was, too, but I wasn’t going to question it. I went home, packed what I could,
then went to the office. Hardly anyone was left by then. I told them all to get
out that day. Those who were coming with me already knew where we had set up
the company in this city. I left that day and