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“There isn't much to tell. I went to school like everyone else. My father worked long hours. My mother did things most moms do when she could. It was a normal childhood.”

“What does that mean? When she could?” he asked. Vega looked at me over his shoulder.

“Before she got sick.”

“Your father is one of the richest men in the world. He should have been able to get her the best doctors. You're telling me he couldn't help her?”

“I don't know what you want me to say.”

“Doesn't that seem strange to you?” Vega asked as he looked back to the window.

I shrugged my shoulder. “No. Sometimes it doesn't matter. You can't save everyone.”

Vega grunted. “Is there more?”

“More what?”

“More to your story?”

“No. That's what it was like until I turned sixteen,” I said.

I left out the part about my own illness slipping in and attempting to steal me away. But my father saved me. He did for me what he couldn't do for my mother.

“What happened when you turned sixteen?” Vega turned and leaned against the window.

“I started working for my father doing little things. I filed papers. I would shred old documents. Occasionally, he would let me sit in on meetings and take notes. The older I got, the more responsibilities he gave me.”

“Is that what you wanted? Did you want to work for your father?”

“I guess.”

“That sounds skeptical. You had other plans, didn't you?”

“I think we all have other plans when we're kids. Did you want to grow up to become this? Is this what your father did, too? Was he a despicable scumbag who kidnapped people for ransom?”

Vega frowned. “I told you I didn't take you for your money.”

“Why else would you take me? It's the only thing that makes sense. There must be something you need.”

He walked forward, his eyes locked on mine. “Poppy, there are a million reasons why I might take you.”

“Maybe. But for you, there's only one. The other nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand-nine hundred and ninety-nine don't matter.”

He stroked his jaw and let out a breath. “You're right. I'm not going to tell you you're not. I do have a reason for taking you.”

“But you're not going to tell me what it is? Why?”

“I think you'll figure it out eventually. You said it yourself; you're a smart girl. I don't doubt you'll get the answers you want without me having to tell you a thing.”

“So this is it then? I get to spend the rest of my life here? Trapped in this fucking room?”

Vega's lips went taut as he took long, commanding steps in my direction. His back stiffened as he pointed down at me. “There are worse things that could happen to you. I'm the only thing keeping them from reaching you. You should be thanking me.”

“Thanking you!” I yelled as I jumped to my feet. “I will never thank you for a damn thing!”

He grinned as I stared him down. “You'll thank me. I can promise you that.” Vega ran his thumb down the curve of my jaw.

I slapped his hand away. “Don't fucking touch me,” I choked out between angry breaths.