Chapter 4 - Joyce

I should have acted quicker. But no, I had to make sure before telling anyone. Now look where it got me. Right back to the safe house. Dismayed, I sat staring at the floor. I could hear Anton moving around in the living area just outside the door.

It sounded like he was talking to someone, and then there was silence. Rising from the bed, I listened. I couldn’t hear him any longer. Slowly, I walked to the door. My heart was beating in my ears as I moved. The door flung open before I got close enough to put my ear against it to listen. I stepped back rapidly, the door missing my face by an inch.

“Wow,” Anton proclaimed. “Did I almost hit you with the door?”

Straightening myself out, I stood glaring at him with my hands on my hips, firing at him. “No, I’m fine.”

“Joyce, please sit so we can talk,” he stated casually, pulling the chair closer to the bed. I sat on the bed with my arms folded across my chest, pouting. Staring at the foot of the bed, I heard him sigh. “This is not what I wanted,” he added gently.

“Well, you brought me here against my will. It is not what I wanted. You are forcing me to betray the company I work for,” I spat back at him glaringly.

Anton lifted his ass and pulled the chair up to the side of the bed. Sitting back down, he reached out and placed a hand on my knee. “I have a new deal for you,” he stated.

I sat frozen like a statue. His hand was warm where it lay on my knee. From there, I felt heat rushing through me, causing my insides to twist and turn. Instinctively, I wanted to push his hand away, but my muscles wouldn’t move.

“Joyce,” Anton said softly. “I want you to call in sick.”

Before he could continue, my mouth opened, and the words seemed to flow of their own accord. “No, oh hell no!” I spat back. I fought to regain control of my body as it flooded with anger. I moved backward on the bed, crawling like a crab.

Anton jumped up and joined me on the bed. “Calm down, Joyce, please, let me explain,” he added softly as he reached out towards me. “Once you do your part, I promise I will release you. You will never have to see me again.”

I stopped and looked at him. I knew he couldn’t be trusted, but I had no other option. Lowering my head, I felt him shifting closer. Anton placed his hands on mine, where they lay on my knees. “Please don’t make me use the information I have against you. I don’t want to. But I will if forced.”

Tears burned my eyes as they lazily made their way out and down my cheeks. I didn’t answer him and dared not move. After a bit, Anton rose and stormed towards the door. I heard it open. He let out a deep sigh. “Joyce,” he said. I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like he was angry. “If I have to, I will ensure you never get work again. Do you understand?”

Nodding my head, I wiped at the tears. “I'll be back in a bit, and then you can call the office. I meant what I said earlier. I promise to release you once I have all the necessary information.”

With that, I heard the door closing. I looked up and out the window. My heart was heavy, and I allowed my tears to flow. I needed to release the anxiety and anger I felt. Turning to the bedside table, I poured some coffee. After taking a few sips, I got off the bed.

There were two doors leading out of the room. The one he came and went with and another one. Walking to the door, I glanced back at the other one. Everything was quiet; I couldn’t hear him. Carefully, I opened the other door only to discover a bathroom.

On the vanity stood one of my bags. I walked to it and opened it. Inside were some of my clothes, my brush, and other items I would need. I thought, how dare he invade my privacy as my anger flared back up.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, I felt slightly better. Yet, my heart was still heavy. It felt tight in my chest. Looking at my reflection, I wondered why I was the one he picked to help him. I was sure there were other employees with easier access that they could have bribed or something.

Turning, I studied the bathroom. Even the bathroom windows had bars across them, as did all the other ones. I had to admit the place was nice. The living room was large, and so was the room and even the bathroom. It looked like it could have been a woman's room. The decor was soft, and the bathroom was a light pink color.

There was a bath, shower, toilet, and vanity with a basin. The room held a double bed, a small table by the window, and a built-in closet. On one wall were four shelves. They boasted with a couple of books, some teddies, and glass ornaments. I found the four teddies cute but out of place. They appeared to be small Care Bears, and I wondered if they could have been a gift from a lover.

Other than that, the two rooms were immaculate. Almost void of life. Sitting back down on the bed, I nibbled at the bacon, toast, and eggs he had brought me. I didn’t have an appetite, but I knew I had to keep up my strength if I wanted to fight back.

I knew his deal was a ploy to soften me up. But I had no choice, I knew I would have to get him what he wanted if I wanted to live. I haven’t been around people like him. People in the criminal world. I haven’t even had contact with Jax for more than six years.

The door opened, and Anton came in carrying a bag. “Here,” he huffed as he dropped it to the bed. “In here is a laptop. You will have access to your company from it.”

My mouth hung open as I watched him turn and head for the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at me as he spoke. “You are being monitored, so don’t try anything stupid.” His tone was harsh and threatening, making me take a step back. I felt hurt, turning away as tears gathered in my eyes. Why was he treating me differently every time?

There was a volcano bursting inside of me. I was furious with myself. Why were my emotions and my body betraying me? I wasn’t sixteen anymore. How could I become a love-sick puppy in just a couple of interactions? “No,” I spoke to the walls, stomping my feet. “No matter what I felt, I couldn’t allow some criminal to corrupt me.”

Flopping down on the bed, I grabbed the remote and put the television on. Maybe I could keep my mind busy watching something. I flipped through the channels, looking for something unromantic to watch. Fortunately for me, I found one. There was a documentary about a serial killer.

Maybe I could learn how to get rid of my problem in other ways, I thought as I lay back and pumped up the volume. The house was quiet, and I assumed Anton had left.