Page 105 of Retribution

I can’t help my chuckle even though my stomach is twisting unpleasantly. I wasn’t under the impression, from what Sauvage said to me yesterday, that I was a prisoner or thatI’d be forced to work a set number of hours each day in the lab. But did I misread the situation?

Wouldn’t be the first time…

I square my shoulders though, and I look this guy in the eye for five seconds. I’m not going to let myself be treated like garbage. I’ve had just about enough of that.

‘If you believe that Sauvage can find just anyone to do what needs to be done down there, I think you’ve been misinformed by someone,’ I tell him, my hands on my hips. ‘You should probably call him.’

‘He ain’t here.’

I cross my arms and set my jaw, saying nothing but not moving an inch.

‘Call Thomas,’ the other one mutters.

He glances at his friend, who shrugs, and then he scowls at me as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.

‘This is bullshit,’ he mutters as he pushes a button and puts the cell to his ear.

‘The girl is refusing to work. What am I allowed to do to her?’

I hear talking on the other end, but I can’t make out the words. The big one smiles a little and hangs up.

‘Well?’ his friend asks.

‘He’s coming down,’ the big one says.

He smirks down at me.

‘You’re in trouble now, babe.’

I don’t show fear, but I wonder if I’m wrong about all of this. The guys warned me about Sauvage, but he didn’t seem that bad when I met him. Have I made a deal with the devil that’s going to blow up in my face?

We all stay where we are for a few minutes in our odd stand-off, and I hear the elevator ding. Footsteps echo through the hall and a figure comes around the corner. I recognize him asMr. In-charge from when I first got here. Of course. Sauvage said his name was Thomas.

He raises a dark brow at me as he approaches. ‘Pierre told me you’d made a deal. Not following through already? He’s not going to like that, Miss Evans.’

‘She won’t go into the lab,’ the big guy gets in before I can say anything.

I narrow my eyes at the big guy in front of me and then blink at Thomas.

‘I don’t have any problem working in the lab. I just didn’t realize my deal with Sauvage meant that I’d be down there ten hours a day,’ I reply stiffly.

Thomas regards me impassively.

‘I asked,’ I continue, gesturing at the big guy, ‘himto call Sauvage to clarify.’

Thomas casts a look at his friend. ‘Carl, show me the message you got this morning.’

Carl takes out his phone and shows Thomas the screen.

Mr. In-charge pinches the bridge of his nose. ‘When Mr. Sauvage asked you to bring her to the lab and take ‘care of her,’ he meant actually take care of her. She can come and go as she pleases. I can see how there may have been a misunderstanding, but she doesn’t need to be watched and she one hundred percent is the only person who can do what Mr. Sauvage needs down there. Understand?’

Carl’s eyes widen and he nods quickly. ‘I understand, sir. Ma’am, I apologize. Usually, when Mr. Sauvage sends me a message like the one he sent this morning, it means something else.’

‘Okay,’ I say slowly. ‘So, if I go down there, I can come out?’

Thomas and Carl both nod.

‘Where is Sauvage?’ I ask, just in case I have any more problems.