Page 14 of Ruin Me With Lies

“Find anything?”I ask.

She shoots me a look that says she thinks I’m a smart-ass.“Get up.Come with me.”

“Can I at least wash my mouth first?”

“You won’t be talking.You’ll belistening.”

Got it.A power-tripper.Likes control, expects obedience.

Good.She’ll be easy to handle.All I have to do is shut up and let her bask in her leashed power.

As she thuds out of the room, I flip back the sheets and follow along.

She launches into an unnecessary tour, and I yawn, my attention drifting in and out.It’s a house, not a damn castle.

The tour feels more for her than for me.Like she had a hand in designing this place and enjoys showing it off.Something tells me that beneath that tough exterior, her real personality matches her girl-next-door voice.

“There are twelve other girls here.All asleep now since they work nights,” she’s saying now.“Every room has an en suite bathroom, so you only share with your roommate…”

My mind dips out again, and I stifle another yawn against the back of my hand.

“…and the rules of The Pink House are simple.You want our protection, you follow the rules.If at any point you feel ‘it’s a prison’ or you’re ‘being controlled’, you’re free to leave.Just know, once you go, there’s no coming back.”

I shuffle behind her into a gourmet style kitchen.

“This, obviously, is the kitchen,” she says.“But it’s rarely ever used.The villa has a staff of cooks and servers.Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared daily.You can eat here, or at Diner Hall.Just call ahead to let the kitchen know.But the pantry is always stocked of you need anything else.”

She continues along, and I tune her out again.Until we stop in front of a set of French doors beneath a glowing neon sign: The Pink Closet.

Tazi pushes them open and waves me in.“This is the house boutique.”

The room is massive, drowning in varying shades of pink.Racks overflow with designer clothes, shelves stacked with shoes, handbags, and purses.A vanity section gleams with makeup, perfumes, and wigs.Everything a girl could need to play dress up.

If only I was that kind of girl, life would be more fun.

“Everything in here is communal,” Tazi says.“Nothing belongs to anyone.With the exception of undergarments, anything borrowed should be sent to the Laundry House after use.They will be cleaned, steamed, and returned here.”

I cover my mouth to mask my morning breath.“Is there anything less...fashion-y?I’m more of a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl.”

Tazi gives me a once-over.“Depending on where you’re assigned to work, that might change.”

Tour over, she leads me through the back doors to an annex.Her office.

Inside, a pretty blonde types away at her computer.

“This is Eleni,” Tazi says.“My wife.She handles property maintenance.”

Eleni barely glances up.

Tazi settles behind her desk.“Take a seat.”

When I do, she slides a stack of papers across the surface.

“That’s the contract agreement for living here.Everything’s in layman’s terms.Read and sign.”

“I’m guessing none of it is negotiable?”

“You guessed right.”