If only this, if only that. Wishes aren’t going to get me out of this mess. “Do you know what he has in store for me, Elaine?”
Her silence is as good as an answer. She decides to try and deflect anyway. “He doesn’t confide in me about these things, you know that.”
There’s no point beating around the bush. I have only this one chance to convince Elaine to help me. “I don’t want to put you on the spot, EP, but there’s something you could do,” I say, grabbing onto the cell bars to look straight into her eyes.
Her whole face goes red. “I’m no match for Lucius and you know it.”
“Haven’t you ever loved, Elaine? Aren’t you tired of Lucius treating you like you’re nothing? You might be my only hope.”
She shakes her head as if to get rid of the idea I’m trying to plant in it. “He’d kill me, Jaxson. I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”
I’m not even sure why I asked.
“You know what, Elaine? You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t want to get you hurt. I’m just fresh out of options. Lucius always wins.”
She seems to be searching inside herself. She sighs. “Listen, you have to keep your head,” she says. “If you want to beat Lucius, you have to be patient. That’s what he does. He waits. He delays. He creates as much time as he can until he finds a solution, a path. People lose to him because they rush themselves. They panic.”
Wow. I had no idea Elaine had been paying such close attention. I thought she just followed along, kept her head down. Her words are all she can offer, but at least they’ve calmed me, helped me focus.
“Elaine,” I say quietly. “Thank you. I know that wasn’t easy.”
She nods with a tenderness and concern I have not seen on her face before. To be honest, I never thought she had it in her.
“I’ve always liked you, Jaxson,” she says. “Be safe.”
She regains her icy composure which makes me feel she has vanished on the spot. I might never see the human side of her again. I watch her walk out of the room. I realize what my uncle does.
He reduces people.
—eight—
Ella
The pool room looks larger in the abounding daylight that filters through the patterned window glass, sketching rainbows on the water’s surface.
My time at HQ might be more enjoyable than I thought if Jax and I can meet here every day. He can make my days easier, pampering me and giving me the multiple orgasms that have become my primary defense against depressing thoughts.
I squint my eyes, thinking I ought to call my mother. What stops me is that I don’t want to have to lie to her. I’ll have to pretend I’m in Paris and in a great mood, enjoying all the city of light has to offer.
According to my phone, it’s almost noon. Jax should show up soon. That was the plan we made last night before he kissed me goodnight—to meet at the pool at noon so he can fill me in on the progress he made regarding our escape plan. I’m still not sure we should leave but I’ve decided to trust Jax and, let’s be honest, I’m in way over my head.
My heart leaps in my chest when the door opens. I spring to my feet to greet Jax but I’m taken aback by the sight of a woman who looks vaguely familiar. It takes a moment to locate her in my memory bank, but when I finally do, I’m even more startled—Elaine Parker, the elegant, sophisticated assistant to Donald Jameson at the fashion agency.
Elaine gives me a wide smile as she approaches. In return, I’m almost lifeless and totally confused. “Miss Wade, nice to see you again.”
“Me too,” I say, robotically offering her my hand. “Call me Ella.”
Elaine Parker goes straight for a hug, patting me on the back, before she plants a kiss on my cheek. I’m at a loss for words.
“I wish it was under better circumstances,” she says.
Wait. What? Not only has she entered HQ, she also seems to be completely up-to-speed on my predicament.
“Why are you here? I don’t understand.”
“I’m friends with Jaxson. He told me where to find you.”
I think about this for a second or two. “I’m sorry, he never mentioned anything about your friendship but, I suppose, it makes sense. You work together at the model agency.”
She gives me another wide grin, this one a little condescending. “Here, too.”
“Excuse me?”
“Mr. Lucius Bernard runs a wide variety of enterprises. I’ve done administrative work for him. Don’t be alarmed.”
That explains why she has access to HQ but it doesn’t explain why she’s here at the pool with me. “Is everything okay with Jaxson? He was supposed to meet me here.”