Deviance Ch. 04

Glancing at the clock, I had about two hours until I needed to be at the visitor's center on campus. Only just realizing I hadn't eaten all day, I was reluctant to open my fridge. I didn't remember what I'd put in there over a week ago, but to my surprise, there were some fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, bacon, and a handful of other things I usually didn't buy. I was the farthest thing from a chef.

I grabbed the lunch meat and searched the cabinets for some bread; finding a fresh loaf, I made a sandwich. While I ate, I searched my phone, discovering the new contact that had been added. Under the name 'Medical Emergency' was a phone number I did not recognize, but it had a New York area code, which left me curious.

Grabbing my backpack, I retrieved my laptop and did a backward search on the number, but nothing came up. My thumb hovered over the number, debating whether I should call it and find out who was on the other end, but I didn't.

I didn't want to give him any more reason to steal me away again.

An hour before I was supposed to be on campus, I debated whether I should take the subway purely for the comfort of being in a public space or if I should call a cab. In the end, I decided I'm too shaken to pay attention enough to navigate the underground system.

Time seemed to evade me, my thoughts swirling around and around. Finally, I had no choice but to shove them away and focus on the tour, otherwise--I'd be late. Scurrying to gather my purse, keys, and cell phone, I rushed out to the street, but as I raised my hand to flag a taxi, a black Lincoln sedan rolled up to the curb.

A gentleman in a black suit stepped out of the passenger seat.

"Ma'am, if you would." He held the rear door wide open for me, but I was already shaking my head. No way was I about to get into that car.

"You have me mistaken with someone else." I turned away, flagging down a taxi, but the man did not budge.

"Miss Ward, I insist." My heart stopped. He knew my name. "I do not wish to report that you've missed the tour on account of me." He stared at me, and something within me convinced me he isn't going to hurt me. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't help but feel the pressure of being late.

Against my better judgment, I climbed into the car.

But then again, I've made mistakes before. Was this one of them?

We moved across the city in silence. Every once in a while, the driver spared a glance at me through the rearview mirror but nothing more than that. I was a bundle of nerves the entire time, but I did my best not to plaster my anxiety all over my face.

What surprised me was that my abductor, this mystery man, must have been the one to arrange the tour after I missed the first one. Of course, he already knew where I lived; this shouldn't have surprised me, but it still did because it was as if he cared in some strange way. He had cared enough to give me my phone back and to restock my groceries. And now, he'd rescheduled the one thing that I had waited all summer for. This was just the the next step in making Columbia happen.

Briefly, I was reminded of his words.

I know a great deal about you, Roisin. Perhaps more than you know yourself.

Before I knew it, the car slowed and came to a stop near the visitor's center. The same man climbed out of the passenger seat and held the door open for me.

"The tour should last about an hour. When you're finished, return here, and we will escort you home."

"Umm, thanks," I mumbled, turning toward the campus. The word escort had not been lost on me. Although, it felt like more than that--like I was a prisoner.

Standing in front of the magnificent building was a woman in an uncomfortably tight pencil skirt and cardigan. With perfectly coiled hair and oversized pearl earrings, she stepped forward, extending a hand.

"Welcome to Columbia University, Miss Ward. I am Emily; I'll be leading your tour today." I shook her hand. "When you missed your scheduled tour last week, I was surprised to hear from you at all. We have a strict disregard for no-shows. Of course, with such a generous donation, we were willing to make an exception." She was still shaking my hand vigorously, I might add.

"I do appreciate it." The words stumbled out of my mouth. Surely, she had me confused with someone else. There seemed to be a lot of that lately.

"Right, this way then. We'll start with the library."

We ventured through the campus for the next hour, where Emily shared interesting tidbits about the architecture, the alumni, and the amenities available to students. She seemed oblivious to the fact that while I was with her psychically, I was mentally elsewhere. I was distracted, thinking about the kind of power this man had and how my time was disappearing. Soon, I'd be expected to return, and then what?

I shivered the thought away.

Clearly, Emily thought the donation had come from me, but I barely had enough to pay for the first semester's tuition, let alone afford a donation.

"That brings us to the second to last stop. This path leads us back to the library, where we began. Do you have any questions before we head back?

I shuffled the folder of extra information in my hands and shook my head. I hadn't heard a word she'd said.

"Great." She hands me another sheet. "Here is the tuition payment schedule. You'll need to have everything squared away before the start of class in September."

Glancing over the figures, I balk, "bloody bollocks."

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes, I mean... no. This is just more than I was anticipating."

"Ah, well, this is more than just tuition. When you add up the books, miscellaneous supplies, and required fees, this number is more realistic." She pointed to the appalling figure.

My heart dropped. The bottom line was several thousand more than I had anticipated.

"Ready?" Emily asked, extending a hand to lead the way.

I stared at her but didn't move.

"Actually, I think I will wander for a few more minutes. This tour has given me a lot to think about." The moment those words left my mouth, I could see her lose interest, but she left me in peace.

Truth be told, I wasn't ready to go back, knowing the car was waiting for me. A car sent by him, whoever he was. Now that I'd signed the contract, what did that make him, my owner? My Dominant? What did that even mean?

Refusing to give into that line of thought, I turned in the opposite direction, with the intention of putting as much space between the car and myself.

I imagined Emily was reaching the visitor's center by now, which meant they'd know I wasn't returning with her. Not a moment later, I received a text message from an unknown number.

You had instructions to return to the car. Do as you're told. This is your only warning.

It was him. I knew it, but little did he know, I had no intentions of doing what he said. Contract or not. I kept walking across the courtyard when my phone buzzed again.

You were warned.

What the hell did that mean? Was he threatening me now? The panic started to seep in the farther I went, but I was determined; I wasn't going to be owned by anyone. Glancing behind my shoulder, I scanned the courtyard for the black suits, but to my relief, I saw none. They weren't pursuing me. Suddenly I ran into something, or rather--someone. My folder fell from my hands, scattering the papers across the pavement.

"Ow," I glanced up, about to apologize to the stranger. "Oh."

It wasn't a stranger at all. His dark brown eyes gazed down at me. "Roisin." The deep rhythm of his voice made my name sound like something wicked and wanton.

I looked at Kieran, who wore an untucked cream-colored linen shirt and jeans. It was strange, but he could have easily passed for a professor or perhaps a student who found the motivation to return to school later in life. He wasn't that much older than me, but it was also apparent that he wasn't fresh out of high school like most students here.

"I'm terribly sorry," I said, rushing to pick up the papers. I don't know if it was the strange coincidence of running into him here, but I looked over my shoulder again.

"Looking for someone?" he asked as he knelt down to my level to help.

"Oh, uh..." I turned back to him; our eyes met. My words disappeared.

"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" He held the papers out to me. "There is a café just around the corner. They make delicious pastries too."

I couldn't help but feel relief, looking up at him. Had he only turned around the other night, I briefly thought that maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe Kieran would have stepped in, stopped him from taking me. I hesitated for a moment, lost in thought, "sure, why not."

We walked to the café, and Kieran held the door open for me. The smell of dark roast was intoxicating, and I forgot how much I enjoyed coffee. Then I realized it had been over a week since I've had any sort of caffeine, and my body was buzzing with anticipation.

"Two of your house dark roast coffees--black and a chocolate croissant."

"Actually, I'll have mine with three sugars, please," I interjected as Kieran arched an eyebrow amusingly.

A moment later, Kieran handed me my coffee.

"Thank you," I said, taking it. Unfortunately, there were no open tables to sit so we opted to continue walking through the campus.

Kieran held out the croissant to me with an explanation. "You look different since the last time I saw you... thinner, paler. I thought the chocolate might help bring back the color to your cheeks." His eyes were kind, but the corner of his lip curled slightly.

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I couldn't explain that I'd lost a week of my life and, apparently, a few noticeable pounds too.

"Most women would be flattered to be called thin." I toyed.

"You're not wrong, but I'd rather you be healthy." He paused and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I miss that rose-kissed color." I looked down at my feet. How could someone I'd only met a week ago unravel me so quickly?

"And this?" He gently lifted my wrist, revealing the brace. "Did you take up boxing?"

I pull my hand free. "Something like that."

We continued walking through campus. Even though I'd just finished the tour, Kieran seemed to know his way around as well.

"I never asked, but what are you doing on campus? Aren't you--" I stopped myself.

"Aren't I what?" he glanced at me with a raised brow. "Aren't I too old for college?"

"Well, yeah." I chuckled, "I suppose that is what I'm trying to say."

The corner of his lip curled as he grinned at me. "I was meeting a friend of mine who works in the psychology department. She specializes in modifying human behavior."

"Oh? Trying to break some nasty habits?" I teased, and he rewarded me with a chuckle.

"Not exactly," he flashed his teeth in a cheeky grin. "She is helping me with a project of mine."

"That's awesome. What kind of project?"

His grin shallowed, "that's a conversation for later." He slowed, and I realized we had come to the edge of campus. Just then, the black Lincoln turned the corner, headed in our direction. I glanced at Kieran, but he wasn't paying attention to the car; he was staring at me.

Could he see how much I wanted to flee?

Suddenly the car rolled to a stop next to us, and the driver jumped out, glanced at both of us, and opened the rear door.

"Miss Ward," he addressed me before turning to Kieran, "Mr. Hayes."

I glance at Kieran and back to the man standing beside us.

"Wait, I don't understand." My heart pounded faster. "You know these people?"

"I'd like to think so," Keiran said calmly. His grin was gone, and in its place was resolute determination. "They work for me." He paused for a moment, our eyes meeting one last time. "Get in the car, Roisin." There was a sense of familiarity in his words, and it was because I'd heard a similar order before. The realization struck me.

He wasn't my knight in shining armor at all. He was my captor.