Chapter 2 Stranger's Mercy

Chapter 2: Stranger's Mercy

Michael's POV

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The rain lashed against the car windows, distorting the city lights into colorful blurs as they whizzed by. I turned to the girl beside me, and she stared straight ahead, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, as if that would protect her from what was to come.

Emily," I said, breaking the silence. My voice was even, composed, but I could feel her flinch from the corner of my eye. She didn't turn to me. Her eyes remained out the window. "I don't know what Jack told you about me, but you're mine now. Get that in your head.

She didn't utter a word. Her jaw clenched, and I knew she was fighting off tears. It was almost impressive how strong she was. Most people would be screaming by now, but not Emily-she kept her silence.

I let the quiet hang between us a moment before continuing, "We'll set some ground rules. You don't talk back. You don't ask questions. And you don't run." I watched her closely, but her reaction barely came.

Finally, she looked around at me, her eyes cold and full of something almost like hate. "And if I do?"

I raised one eyebrow, matching her glare. "Then you'll regret it."

"Do you really think I'd listen to you?" she snapped, her voice quivering. "I don't even know who you are. I don't know what you want from me. I'm not going to just sit here and obey you."

I smiled, quite entertained by her defiance. "Oh, you will, Emily. Because you don't have a choice."

She turned away from me once more, nipping at her lip hard. "You're no different from him," she grumbled low under her breath.

"Different from who?"

"Jack," she returned, her voice now a hushed whisper. "You're both the same. Cold. Heartless."

The words stung a little more than I thought they would, but I wrote it off quite soon enough. "Think whatever you want," I said with a shrug. "But you'll soon learn that with me, there's a price for disobedience.

She didn't say a word, her silence an act of defiance as much as her words had been. I could feel her anger, her resentment. I wasn't fazed; I didn't need her to like me. I just needed her to fall in line.

---

When we reached my house, I exited the car, opening her door myself. She didn't move so I reached in and extended a hand. "Let's go.

She looked down at my hand, then back up to me, her eyes narrowing. "What if I say no?"

I leaned down so that my face was inches from hers and held her gaze. "Then I carry you inside myself. Your choice.

She took a long, extended moment before placing her hand in mine, the coldness of her skin against my warmth. Then I pulled her out of the car and led her up the steps of my home-a large, imposing mansion hidden from prying eyes. As we stepped inside, I could feel her hesitance, her fear-she was barely hanging on.

"Follow me," I told her, and the swift dip into the spare bedroom down the hall revealed this room. "This is your room."

She had looked around, apparent surprise in every single movement. I could see her eyes examining the big bed, the dresser, the windows with views into the garden. "I... I thought you'd lock me in a basement or something," she said, unable to hide the surprise in the tone of her voice.

I chuckled, crossing my arms. "What kind of monster do you think I am?" avidly

Our eyes met, defiant. "I don't know yet."

"Fair enough," I replied, smirking. "But let me remind you - I'm the one who is in control over what will happen with you. And if you don't want to be in trouble, then follow my rules. Otherwise..." I left the threat hang in the air.

She looked down and away, avoiding my eyes. "What do you want from me?" she finally asked in a whisper.

I leaned casually against the doorway, crossing my arms. "Obedience. Silence. And for you to stay out of my way."

Her face contorted with anger. "So that's it? I'm just... some object you own now?

I cocked my head to the side, studying her. "If that's what you want to believe, fine. But know this, Emily-you're safer here with me than you ever were with your brother."

She snorted, clearly unconvinced. "And I'm just supposed to trust you?"

"No," I said flatly. "But you're going to learn that I'm your only ally now."

She laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "Some ally. You don't even know me.

I shrugged. "I don't have to know you. I just have to keep you here and keep you alive."

She shook her head, frustration evident. "Why did you even agree to this? What did Jack offer you that made me worth taking?

That's not your concern," I said shortly, not willing to share with her. The truth was a little more complicated than she'd ever understand, and I sure wasn't about to let her in on my secrets. Not yet.

"Right. Because I don't deserve answers, right?" She rolled her eyes, bitterness in her tone. "Typical.

I stepped closer to her, my eyes razor-sharp. "Listen to me, Emily. You don't have to understand a thing about this arrangement. All you need to know is that from now on, your life belongs to me. The sooner you come to terms with that-the easier it will be for both of us.

She bit her lip then and looked away, but I could see the flash of anger in her eyes, the helplessness, and strangely, a part of me almost pitied her. But I cast the thought aside. Pity wasn't going to get either of us anywhere. She needed to learn her place.

"Goodnight, Emily," I said finally, stepping back toward the door.

She said nothing. She only looked down at the floor, lost in her world of thoughts. I stepped out into the hallway, slamming the door shut behind me and turned the key in the lock from the outside. I stood there a moment, listening-half-expecting her to start screaming, or trying to get free-but there was no sound.

Good. She'd learn eventually that there was no way out. I'd keep her here, keep her safe, and make sure she didn't become a problem. Whatever Jack's reasons for selling her, I'd handle it.

And as for Emily... well, she'd realize soon enough that there were worse fates than being under my protection.