Lila

Lila woke slowly, groggy and tired. For a moment she just stared at the ceiling, uncertain what had woken her. But even as she blinked the sleep from her eyes the door clicked and she forced herself to roll over and face the day ahead.

​​

This was the first time that seeing Doug Daniels, instead of his son, wasn't a shock. She was starting to remember where she was. As the door slid slowly open and he peered around it, she sat up, pulling the blanket with her, ignoring the stab of pain her ribs as she wrapped the top one around her shoulders so she was covered to the neck.

Dane's father smiled when he found her awake. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" he said cheerfully, with a smile so like Dane's Lila wanted to cry, pulling that plastic chair behind him as he walked in and came to sit just a couple feet away from the bed.

Lila swallowed the pinch in her throat and just stared at him.

"Rough night?" he asked, like he cared.

Lila didn't let anything show on her face. "What did you do to me? Why am I hurt?" she said, her voice thick. He pulled a bottle of water out of his pocket and she eyed it suspiciously.

"You weren't cooperating last night, Lila. I'm sure Dane has told you I have little patience for theatrics. You forced me to take a firm hand—we had to get those clothes off you to wash them. But you were entirely unreasonable about it, even when I promised not to peek."

"Where are my clothes?"

"In the laundry. They'll be back eventually. How are you feeling this morning?" he said with a small smile, like it was just a polite question that he didn't really care about the answer to.

Lila just stared at him.

"Well," he said, eventually, "I know you aren't feeling particularly social, but I think it's important for us to spend today getting to know each other. If I know my son, he'll have some kind of rescue crew here for you in the next day or two. That could be a little… dramatic. I'd much rather speak with you when you aren't under stress." Lila's mouth dropped slightly and he waved a hand like he'd made an unimportant mistake. "I just mean, once Dane shows up, my attention will be otherwise engaged. I wanted to spend some time with you while we could be alone."

He hadn't put any special emphasis on the word. Hadn't touched her or looked at her in any kind of suggestive way. But she heard the implied threat. She kept her eyes locked on him, remembering Dane's advice not to fight, to appear weak. But the truth was, she didn't feel particularly strong to begin with, and knowing she was injured now… Lila swallowed.

"I'll start," he said, like she'd agreed. "Tell me about your karate training? I understand Soke Saito took a special interest in you. Naughty of you to move away without speaking to him first—he's a world leader, you know? I understand that you were strong enough to put Chris on his ass—I'll admit, I laughed a great deal that day. I'm certain he didn't enjoy that at all! He's always had such a hang up about being beaten by girls." He chuckled like they were sharing a joke.

Lila gaped at him. How did he know? But… the staff. Of course.

But he wasn't finished—and each question just threw her further off balance. "Does Richard know you're with Dane now? Do you keep in touch?" When she didn't answer—out of pure shock that he spoke like he knew her father, and she had to wonder if he did. But his gaze sharpened. "Oh, silly me—I forgot about that ugly conflict between you. You managed that well, Lila, I was impressed by the press coverage. Not a hint of your involvement."

"That's because I wasn't involved," she said through her teeth, then cursed herself when his eyes lit up.

"That's not what your father said," he said quietly, and Lila had to clench her teeth to stop her jaw dropping. "Richard made it clear to me that you knew everything. He knew you didn't approve, but… you also didn't report him. And you helped him with the press, yes? I'll admit, that gave me hope that one day you and I might… get along."

Lila's breath came faster. How did he know? That hadn't come from the staff. She hadn't even told Dane.

Doug picked at invisible fluff on his black pants. "By the way, your cat is dead, I'm sorry to tell you. Dane had housekeeping go check him, but the woman left the sliding door open to the balcony and the adventurous little thing got it into his head to jump across to the neighbor's balcony. Seems he didn't see the plexiglass they'd put up to stop the wind. Very sad. I'm sorry to be the one to share that with you, but you seem quite the practical sort. I'm sure, like me, you'd rather have the bad news, than stay wondering and unsure." His eyes came up to meet hers. "I'll share a secret with you, Lila: If you want to get under Dane's skin, the easiest and quickest way is to give him just enough information for him to be sure something bad is happening, but not enough for him to do anything about it. It drives him… insane."

And he continued to speak—about her years in high school, her friends at college, the way she'd gotten the job at Daniels Security, and the people she knew—and didn't.

And with each revelation Lila heard what he wasn't saying, but instead was showing her.

I know everything about you—even things you've told no one.

I know the darkest corners of your life.

You can't hide anything from me.

She felt cold and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. He noticed that too, and he smiled. A cold, wicked smile.

"I'm so sorry, I'm being rude," he said, smiling. "I'm not even letting you get a word in, am I? So, tell me, Lila… tell me what you know about me. Tell me what my son has told you. And just remember: I'll know if you're lying to me."

Then he stared at her like he'd pull the thoughts out of her head.