Page 59 of Ravage
I lick my lips so as not to waste what little alcohol the drink has in it and force myself to smile. “Business law,” I recite based on the university major that the congressman seems to use as his excuse for his hunting ground of young women.
“That’s wonderful. I’m an attorney, you know. If you ever need an internship closer to your field of study, I’d love to help out.” He smiles, and that’s when I can’t stop seeing the Ken doll. He looks like he had been the model for it because even his expression is spot-on.
Wide smile with bright white teeth and looking like plastic.
My stomach takes this opportunity to growl at him to back off.
His brow pinches with concern. “Didn’t you eat anything? I’m sure there’s still some left. Or the dessert should be out by now.”
“I did.” I laugh softly behind my hand. “I suppose that wasn’t enough, though. Or I’m just hungry for dessert.”
I am hungry for dessert, but I’m not sure how much I trust what they’ll be bringing out. None of the food was edible. There was shit on boards that looked like cat food. And servings like octopus balls. Really? If that’s what the rich eat, then I’ll pass and take a greasy burger or pizza any day of the week.
“Come on, then.” He jerks his head back to the beach house. “Let’s see what they have.”
“Sure.” I smile back. My face is going to be sore for days after how long I’ve had to keep my face smiling like this.
I follow him back up the beach and grab my heels on the way in to the mayor’s lavish mansion. The tables are spread with desserts now of all shapes and colors. I don’t recognize most, but I spot some original cheesecake with cherries, and yup, that’s exactly what I’m going to eat.
My body won’t be thrilled that that is the only thing it’s gotten in the last day, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers. And I’m nearly to the beggary status now.
“There you are!” someone calls out behind us and then chuckles.
I turn and blink when it’s Congressman Joe slapping his hand on Ken doll’s shoulder. “I’ve been needing to speak with you. Where have you been all day?” he continues.
Ken’s gaze lands on mine as he smiles at me. The congressman follows his look to me and his eyebrows shoot up to his hairline.
“Oh, I see. Entertaining a date, perhaps?” He moves around Ken doll and extends his hand out between us.
I try for a shy smile, which seems to work considering how the congressman’s polite smile sharpens in response, and reach for his hand. Rather than shake my hand when he has it in his grasp, he tugs me forward and plants a kiss on the back of it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet someone as…delectable as you, my dear,” Joe tries and fails to deliver seductively. Or maybe I’m too obsessed with Aiden’s voice that anyone else’s just falls flat.
The gasp that leaves my lips at the sudden jolt is real, and Ken doll takes that as his cue to step between us. “We were just discussing her new internship with me,” he says, his voice strained as he looks at my hand still in the congressman’s hold.
Joe gives me another once-over from head to toe, pausing not-so-subtly on any exposed skin. His smile borders on leery when he’s finished. “A law student as well?”
My mouth opens to counter Ken’s claim that I was already his intern. It would never work considering my false identity doesn’t actually exist, let alone go to the local university, but they’re both too wrapped up in whatever dick-measuring contest is happening between them to notice.
“Yes, business law. But I needed to get her fed before we could continue that conversation. It seems she didn’t have enough to eat earlier.”
“I see. Or the earlier food wasn’t to your tastes…was it, dear?”
I pull my hand free of his, which he thankfully relents to without complaint. I’m not completely sure how to answer his question safely. Is it rude to admit that was the case? It’s not like he’s the actual host. I want to stay on his good side to see what more I can learn from him, though, and it seems safe enough to agree with his observation for now.
“Sorry, but…not really,” I admit softly.
Joe grins and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I have to fight back the knee-jerk reaction to stiffen at his overly-familiar touch, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “Don’t worry, my dear. The mayor tends to go overboard at these events with the eclectic menu, so there’s nothing for you to be sorry about.” I nod slowly, too focused on his touch to pay his words much attention. “A pretty thing like you can’t only eat the fluffy desserts that are left. My residence is a few streets away from here, and my cook can whip up something more suited to your tastes if you’d like.”
My head snaps up at the same time as Ken doll’s.
“Oh, I couldn’t—”
“Hey, wait just a minute, Joe. She and I were—”
“—about to discuss the internship, I know. We’ll eat something quick and be right back within the hour. I’ll have her back to you before you know it,” the congressman schmoozes with practiced ease. His face tilts down so he can turn his creepy smile on me. “What do you say…” His sentence hangs there for a few seconds until I realize what he’s asking for.
“Rebecca,” I answer with my false identity I came up with.
