Page 60 of Ravage
“Rebecca,” he repeats. “The party is still far from over, and I’m sure you’ll need something more substantial to eat in the meantime. I’ll bring you back as soon as you’ve eaten, on my honor.”
I look between the congressman and Ken doll, suddenly unsure of the situation I’ve found myself in. This was supposed to be a reconnaissance mission. Keep an eye on who Joe talks to. Listen in on any conversations I can. Look for any hints or clues that might lead to a connection with GE.
But being invited to his place?
What if it’s a trap?
Yes, but for a helpless college law student he just met. It’s not like he had this prepared in advance. If I tried to reschedule to give myself time to prepare with weapons, it would give him the same opportunity. At least doing this spur of the moment on both sides gives me more of a chance to see him with his guard down.
I could ask to use the restroom and maybe snoop around a bit. See if I can find anything there on GE.
Perfect.
Best case, he feeds me and brings me back here exactly as he promised. He does believe I have someone waiting here for me, at least, so it’s not like he would do anything to make me disappear. Still, I know a slimeball when I see one.
Worst case is that he tries to take advantage of me.
Unfortunately, I have experience with that, and I can handle it.
Ken still looks annoyed that I’m being taken away, but I note he doesn’t protest any further after Joe’s promise to bring me back within the hour. That should be comforting that he doesn’t plan to kidnap or kill me, but I need one more safeguard to be sure.
“Okay,” I acquiesce softly. “I really appreciate it, Sir. I need to tell the friend I came with that I’ll be at your place for the next hour, though, so she doesn’t worry or leave without me. Do you mind if I let her know to wait for me?”
His face doesn’t falter at the mention of my “friend,” which puts me more at ease. Good. Whatever his intentions are, he isn’t worried about bringing me back on time and well enough for me to go home with my friend. And he’ll believe someone is here waiting for me and would report that I hadn’t returned after going with him.
“Of course. I’ll call my driver to pull up out front and you can meet us there once you’ve spoken with your friend.” His arm drops from my shoulders to give me room.
I offer him and Ken a smile and then hurry off to pretend looking through the crowd for my friend. I slip into the restroom to pretend I found her in there and then make my way to the front door.
The black SUV smells of leather and fresh polish. Every shift in the seat causes an audible creak, and I can barely breathe to keep from fidgeting too much.
What would normally have two rows of seats in the back instead has two bench seats facing one another, and a black divider wall between us and the driver.
He smiles at me once I’ve buckled myself in for the short, two-minute trip to his home. Large, ornate gates slowly open when we approach, and then we drive around a brick circle to the front door.
I move to open my door, but Joe places a hand on my lap. I bite down my instinctual reaction to flinch, but enough comes through that I can tell he noticed. I try to laugh it off. “Sorry, I’m a bit nervous coming to a congressman’s home. Especially one as nice as this.”
Joe chuckles and pats my leg. “Don’t worry, my dear. It’s nothing special. I just wanted you to know that my driver will be around to open your door for you,” he explains just as his driver opens his door first, even though he’d been seated on the passenger side.
He exits out his door, and I wait for the driver to open mine.
Relax.
He’s on a time limit and he knows it. People are expecting me back. Whatever intention he has for bringing me here, it can’t be anything too terrible. And I can’t pass up the opportunity to find out why Elias wants me looking into this man. I need to find that connection before we head back to the party.
The driver prompts me to walk up the front steps to where a butler is waiting for me at the door.
“Please, this way, Ma’am. Mr. Tabershire has asked that you wait for him in the lounge while he places your food order in the kitchens.”
He guides me to one of the many rooms off the main hallway through double doors. The room is about the size of my living room and kitchen at Elias’s apartment combined, so its size isn’t overly daunting. The style and contents are more so, between the heavy maroon drapes tied with golden rope on either side of the massive window taking up one wall, to the built-in, mahogany book shelves that fill in the other three walls with more books than I’ve seen in one place aside from a public library. The furniture is all the same, shining dark wood, with tight fabrics spread over the sofa chairs and couches.
The seating area is arranged around a gas fireplace, while a desk is settled in the back corner with a couple wooden chairs.
I head straight for the desk, convinced I may spot something of value within the papers laying haphazardly across it without a care in the world.
“Ah, Rebecca.” I pause in place, even though I’m steps away from the desk and my goal. “Please, sit over here while we wait.”
Damn.
