I slot the info away, for what purpose, I don’t know. “Glad to hear it. Do you have any other questions?”
Green eyes probe the camera lens. “What…umm, do you have a name?”
“I do.”
She waits a beat, then I get the cocky eyebrow again. “Are you going to tell me?”
“No.”
She frowns. “Then what should I call you?”
“What would you like to call me?”
Her head tilts. “Mechanical Man?”
“That won’t suit.”
“I’m not great with terms of endearment.”
“I don’t require one.”
Exasperation filters through. “So you want me to call you nothing?”
“If you could pick a name or an initial for me, what would it be?”
She stares into the camera for a few seconds, then her gaze drops. The corner of her lower lip twitches, as if she’s worrying her flesh from the inside. Her fingers still in her hair, her breathing alters and a light flush drifts over her skin.
“What are you thinking about, Lucky?” I murmur.#p#分页标题#e#
“Nothing.”
“Who are you thinking about, Lucky?”
Focus returns to her eyes. She blinks rapidly and shakes her head. “Nobody. I don’t feel comfortable just slapping a name on you when we haven’t even met.”
“A number then. Or a letter.” I derive detached amusement in herding her where I want her to go.
Predictably, her nose wrinkles. “It’ll be weird for me to call you by a number.”
I remain silent.
She sends the camera another direct stare. “J?”
“I’m not a bird,” I drawl.
Her sumptuous lips purse. “M.”
“Too British spy movie. Tell me who you were thinking about a minute ago.”
She shakes her head again. “I’d rather not.”
“If you insist. Do you have any more questions?”
“The…umm, money. How will you pay it to me?”
“However you want. When the time comes you can furnish me with your wiring details.”
Her brow creases. “Can I be paid in cash?”
“Of course.” I press the intercom on the table next to me.
The knock sounds on her door a minute later. She jumps up immediately, her stance firmly in fight or flight mode. “That is Fionnella. She works for me. Let her in.”
The fight drains out of her, but her approach remains wary.
Fionnella enters and smiles at her. “Hello. I’m head of the team hired to prep you. May I call you Lucky?”
She eyes the woman cautiously, then nods.
“Great. Would you like to come with me?”
“Umm, I’m not sure if we’re finished here.” She clears her throat and glances over her shoulder at the camera. “Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“I have some more questions.”
“They can wait.”
She hesitates, flicks a glance at Fionnella. “Where are you taking me?”
Fionnella smiles. “To another room, to answer a few questions to start off with.”
Lucky tenses. “What sorts of questions?”
Fionnella indicates the clipboard in her hand. “Routine questions about your health, your diet, boring stuff like that. Then we get to the exciting part.” Her smile isn’t reciprocated.
Lucky slides her hands into her pockets in a feigned gesture of calm. But still she hesitates.
“Go with her if you want the job, Lucky. Or leave.”
She won’t leave. I already know that. Fear and desperation hang over her like dark clouds. She casts one last glance over her shoulder before she nods. “Okay.”
I watch her leave, track her via the monitors until she reaches the studio set up to begin her transition. I find myself wondering how far I can push her. How fast her resistance will hold. Whether I can exploit her fear, take this game to another level or satisfy myself with finding out what her secrets are.
It’s clear she’ll do just about anything for the money, despite her feeble attempt to set boundaries. I also get the feeling her boundaries have already been tested.
But I can’t imagine they’ve been stretched as far as I intend to stretch them.
And fuck if that doesn’t make my black soul twitch.
6
LIGHTS, CAMERA…
Lucky
I follow the plump lady with the clipboard and giddy smile down a dark grey hallway. The rooms we pass are all empty, but just from the expensive wallpaper and light fittings alone, I can tell a lot of money has been spent on this apartment.#p#分页标题#e#
Clayton threw a ton of money for a major revamp of The Villa a few years ago in a bid to attract clients from as far as LA and Frisco, but it was nowhere near this classy. This is solid gold compared to Clay’s nickel-plated efforts. The hardwood floors gleam beneath my feet and inside the rooms, the curtains I catch glimpses of are heavy and expensive looking.