A Hard Bargain Read Online Free Page B

You said it was too much.
    Again he reads, nods briefly. “As you pointed out, though, how you spend your money is your choice, not mine. If you want to throw it about, that’s up to you.”
    The phone is back in my hands, and now I’m genuinely at a loss, I don’t have a clue what else to say, what else to write down. I feel helpless and scared, utterly rigid with fear. Tears are pricking the backs of my eyes, but pride alone prevents them from falling…yet. I glance up at the ring in the ceiling and despite his reassurance just now, I know I can’t avoid what’s coming. I don’t even have a safe word to fall back on, to get me out of this. I’m so out of my depth, there’s something massive here and I just can’t see it, just don’t get it.
    “If you have a question for me, please write it down and I’ll try to answer you.” Again that cool, calm, firm voice. The voice of authority, demanding obedience.
    What is my question? God knows, but I settle for writing down the only thing in my head. It takes a couple of minutes, my hands are shaking, but he’s patient, he doesn’t hurry me or try to read my response before I hand it to him.
    I don’t know. I really, really don’t know. Sir. I never meant to offend you. I wanted you to help me, so much. I was sure you could and I just didn’t think you’d do it for nothing. I’m truly sorry. Please, just punish me as you see fit now and let me go. Please. I’m sorry. I’d answer you if I could, you have to believe that.
    I chew my bottom lip and twist my fingers together while he reads my frantic note. He thinks there’s more, I know he does. And he’s already told me he’s quite prepared to beat the truth out of me. Well, good luck to him. I just know that the moment he suspends me from the ceiling—if he does—I’m going to simply faint. There’ll be no ‘truth’ to be had out of me. Or maybe I’ll just die of fear. Is it possible to actually die of fear?
    “I do believe you. You can relax, at least for a few minutes, while I explain.”
    I look at him, startled. He actually believes me. Wow. I told him the truth and he did believe it.
    He smiles slightly, amused at my astonishment. “Over the years I’ve gotten quite good at knowing when a sub’s lying, holding back. You were at first, but not now. I can see that. Even without words I can see how frightened you are. Your eyes are telling me that. You do have very expressive eyes, Miss Stone. And here, this evening, I want you to be scared, so scared you can taste it. Can you taste it, little sub?”
    I nod, my tears falling freely now, well beyond any attempt at subterfuge or false bravado.
    “Good, because the fear you’re experiencing now might, just might, be the last time you ever need to feel like this. If you listen to me and learn from what I’m going to tell you—and what I’m going to do to you. So, are you ready to learn, Miss Stone?” His head is cocked to one side as he regards me casually, he might as well have just asked if I take milk and sugar for all the impact this conversation is having on him.
    I’m shaking so hard I’m no longer able to hold the precious phone. It falls to the floor with a clatter. Nicholas Hardisty leans down and picks it up, places it beside me on the bed. Then he turns back to me, catches my gaze and, without words, I know I’m not to look away.
    “You offered me money. A lot of money. You offered twenty-five thousand pounds to a perfect stranger. You’d no way of knowing I wouldn’t just take your cash, maybe knock you around a bit, then run.”
    At my start of protest, he holds up one finger, instantly stilling me.
    “I know, I came recommended. By Angela. Did you know Ange is my sister?” He shakes his head wryly. “No, by your expression I guess you didn’t. We could have been in it together, maybe we planned to share your money. You were just plain gullible, Miss Stone, a poor little rich kid with more money than sense. Christ,