by Mia Hoddell
“Cora! It’s so great of you to join us once more. I thought the False Finder on the loose might have been you; clever changing your name.” He pulled his feet from the desk, sitting up straighter as he tried, and failed, to cover the smug grin on his face. “I bet you’re ever so pleased to see me again.”
Cora bit her tongue, swallowing the spiteful retort that was forming on her lips. She would not let him get to her and rise to his challenge. That was what he wanted. Glancing up at Nick, Rogan gave him a nod.
“You can leave now. Go make sure the others have everything ready,” Rogan said, his gaze flicking between the two of them, knowing Cora would not speak until they were alone. He had deliberately left certain information and names out of the equation, not wanting to reveal too much to her.
“Are you sure, sir? She’s been more than a little difficult. One of the guys she fought is still having trouble walking.”
Cora smiled at that. She didn’t think she had done that much damage but she was silently proud of her quick thinking and skill.
“Really? Well you can tell him that if he doesn’t get his ass back here in half an hour, that issue will be the least of his worries.”
Giving a curt nod, Nick turned and left, shutting the door behind him.
Finally free, Cora brought her hands around in front of her, rolling her shoulders and wrists to loosen up the joints and remove the stiffness.
“I don’t know why you’re bothering with this, Rogan. You know I’m never going to sign on for you. I thought you would have learnt that by now.” Exasperated and trying to appear calmer than she was, Cora moved over to the sofa, falling back on to it. She made sure to keep her eyes on Rogan though as he stood up, moving around to lean against the front of the desk.
“I think you’ll reconsider this time,” he said cryptically, not deterred. “By the way, how was it seeing your old friend Nick again?”
Cora tried to stop her body from tensing at his words but much to her regret, she flinched.
“You’re a sick bastard, you know that, right?”
“I’m guessing you both didn’t catch up and hit it off again then? That’s a shame, I thought you’d be pleased to see him.”
“Like hell. You knew exactly what you were doing by sending Nick and none of those ideas even made it into your top thousand reasons,” Cora replied, an irritated undercurrent to her voice, kicking her feet up on to the sofa. She didn’t need her ability to tell he was making every word up.
Instead of responding, Rogan moved over to the cabinet, turning his back on Cora as he rummaged around in some files.
Sensing an opportunity had just been handed to her, Cora swivelled and silently placed her feet back on the floor. Her eyes stayed locked on Rogan’s back as slowly, she stood, glancing at the door every now and then.
“You won’t get more than two metres if you try and walk out the front door. You won’t be able to fight your way out this time either.”
How the hell did he know I was moving, am I that predictable? Cora thought as she remained standing like that wasn’t her plan all along.
“Whatever gave you the impression I would be trying to do that? I’m not suicidal or that desperate. I saw the extra guards on my way in. You’re not worried about me are you, Rogan?” Cora retorted, her voice changing from shock as she taunted him, trying to bait him into a fight. Using his first name was also meant to rile him, but he was used to her informality so ignored it.
“Like you, Cora, I’m not stupid. After you escaped last time and seriously injured at least five of my best men, I’m not taking any chances.”
“Oh goody! So they are for me, I always love new toys to kick around,” Cora fired back instantly, clapping her hands in front of her like an eager child with fake enthusiasm. “Made any other special arrangements?”
She moved over towards his desk, Rogan’s back still turned while he hunted for something. Glancing at him once more, she moved behind it, placing herself in his seat. As a diversion she threw her feet up on to his shiny desk and reached down to test the drawers, hoping to find some sort of weapon she could use against him.
Damn, all locked, she cursed, bringing her hand back up into her lap as Rogan turned to face her. His face was unreadable as he approached.
“I guess I could get used to this lifestyle if I had to. I mean, this chair is a definite improvement over every piece of furniture I own and if you redecorated a little then I think I could be quite happy in this house. It’s a great house but I can’t say I’m fond of what you’ve done with it.” Cora had picked up a pen from the desk and was twirling it in her fingers as she spoke, not looking at Rogan.
He could feel a spark of hope igniting deep inside him as she continued. Never before had she mentioned anything to do with staying and even though he didn’t really believe she meant it in his heart, he could feel some of the shock showing on his face.
“You would also have to get rid of some of your men, add an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, and I’d want my own stable full of horses. Oh, and a circus ready to perform at my beck and call.” She finished and with her final sentence Rogan’s embers of hope were extinguished. He thought he would play along though.
“That can all be arranged. You’re forgetting I am one of the most powerful men in the country now.” Finally he found the piece of paper he was looking for. Pulling it out of the cabinet, he walked back over to Cora to see her carving random shapes into his desk with his pen.
She knew it was immature. She also knew that she was risking Rogan’s wrath but neither of those bothered her. Scoring girly shapes such as stars, flowers and hearts into the expensive lacquered hardwood gave her a feeling of satisfaction and her smile grew at her small act of defiance.
Rogan on the other hand didn’t find it so amusing. Inside him, his fire had once again reignited, this time with fury as he watched her. He wanted to charge over to her and physically restrain her but that would get him nowhere. He had to remain calm and in control if he were to succeed. He knew she was baiting him.
“If those are the terms that will get you to work for me then I will provide that. All you have to do is sign here.” Placing the piece of paper on the table, he pointed at the dotted line. Above it was a page of minute writing—the terms of Cora’s agreement. He already knew what she would say but at least it distracted her from her ‘art work’ for a second.
The only reply Rogan received was a disbelieving laugh before she returned to finish her masterpiece. Cora knew what the contract would say. She also knew that it was binding in every way and that there was not a single loophole for her to exploit should a time come when she needed an exit clause. There was more chance of the country becoming democratic again than Cora signing anything.
“Sorry, I like my life as it is—shit friends and all. No deal.”
“Really and how are you planning to get out of here if you don’t? From where I’m standing it doesn’t look like you’re in a position to demand anything.”
Cora knew he was right, but she kept her face blank and unreadable, not wanting to give anything away.
“Well I’ve done it three times already, what makes you think I wouldn’t have a plan this time?” she deflected, putting the ball back in his court to give herself time to think.
“Firstly, there is not a chance you’ll be able to fight your way out like last time. I’ve made sure of that. Secondly, I don’t need any more money or new recruits right now so you can’t betray anyone else or pay me off. Thirdly, your threat no longer works seeing as your mother is dead. So go ahead, what have you got that will work this time?”
His comment about Cora’s mum was aimed to hurt her and it did. Even though she resented her mother at that precise moment she still felt winded by the memory.
“What makes you think I haven’t got something else to hold over you? You’re not exactly in the most law abiding occupation. You have plenty of secrets.”
Rogan’s eyes clouded with ange
r as he tried to list anything that could possibly work for her but he couldn’t see how she could have known any of it. Throwing back his head, he laughed sinisterly. “Don’t keep it to yourself then, what have you found to ruin me this time?”
Cora ignored him. Once again she scratched into his precious wood like it was his face in an attempt to provoke him.
“You’re bluffing. You’d relish telling me if you had something, but you don’t.”
“You can believe whatever helps you sleep at night, Rogan. Go ahead and test me, we’ll see who’s right.” Cora hoped that he didn’t take her up on the offer. She had nothing to give him so lying was her only choice.
“Tell me—what—you—know.” He spoke slowly, his jaw clenched as he tried to reign in his anger. Raising his fist, he went to slam it down on the desk to get her attention but at the last second she looked up with a smirk.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Cora threatened, twirling the pen around her fingers once more.
Rogan had had enough of her threats. He had restrained his innate tendency to deal with problematic people with violence because she was special. She had a gift that he needed and was the only one of her kind—at least the only one he knew about. It was only for that reason he tolerated her behaviour. Anyone else would have been disposed of and Cora loved exploiting her advantage.
She loved to taunt him, taking him right to his limit of anger before backing off. Normally she was good at reading when to stop. However, this time she had gone too far and Rogan had made sure she had no other options available to her.
Suddenly the irritation he was feeling towards her flashed to anger. Reaching over he snatched the pen from her fingers, putting an end to her art instantly and threw it across the room. It hit the wall with a crack, before bouncing and rolling back towards the desk. Leaning forward, both arms propping his strong body up on the desk, Rogan glared at her.
“I tried to be cordial. I agreed to your insane demands but this ends here and now. You will sign this contract stating you are employed by me or things are going to get very bad for you, very quickly.”
Cora matched his stance, pulling herself up and meeting his gaze with unwavering eyes.
“Get this into your head now as I’m not going to say it again. I am not, nor will I ever let you own me. I will never sign that piece of paper.” Cora kept her voice level, matching his tone with equal determination. She didn’t have a plan for how to get out but she knew she would never sign his contract.
“Is that so? I beg to differ.”
A flash of uncertainty flickered before Cora’s eyes as he spoke, not sure where he was going with his comment. It didn’t fail to escape Rogan’s notice and on the inside he was smiling with joy at his forward thinking.
“You can’t force me to sign it!”
“Am I that crass? I won’t have to force you.”
Picking up a remote from the top of the desk, he pointed it at a painting that was hung on the wall to the right of Cora. It moved to reveal a flat screen TV and with the click of another button it flickered into life.
As the image became clearer on the screen, Cora gasped in shock. Her hand moved to cover her mouth in disbelief and her head was shaking, not wanting to believe the truth that was before her eyes.
“Still don’t want to reconsider my offer?” Rogan asked triumphantly, knowing he had won.
Chapter 6
When his men had brought the girl back, Rogan had started to doubt his plan. Cora had already sold one friend out in return for her freedom, so what was going to stop her from doing it again? She had also known Nick a lot longer than this other girl. Nick had been like a brother to her and still she signed that piece of paper without a moment’s hesitation the second time he had found her. Rogan remembered it as if it had happened weeks, rather than years ago.
* * *
“Do you really think I need more money, Cora? Come on, you’ll have to do better than that. I own this city. You aren’t able to buy your freedom from me,” Rogan said as he circled the chair Cora was on like he was tying her up with invisible rope and reining in her options.
Cora sat there in a frustrated rage, never taking her eyes off him until he moved behind her.
“Just use a bloody lie detector like any fascist would. You don’t need me!” she shouted, making a move to stand up but a strong, restraining hand pushed her back onto the hard wooden chair. She could feel the power in his grip and rather than start a fight she couldn’t win, Cora decided to bide her time.
“You know why I won’t do that. Just like your mother, you’re never wrong. You see a lie one hundred percent of the time. Machines are fallible, they can get it wrong. Besides, it makes my life easier having you around—less hassle.”
Cora swore under her breath at the mention of her mother. If it wasn’t for her then Cora wouldn’t be pinned in a room with the one man she loathed more than anything and fighting for her freedom.
“Just because she worked for you, it doesn’t mean I have to. You can’t control me.” Cora bit the inside of her lip, trying to stop at least some of the retorts from spilling out in anger.
“Wrong again. I can do whatever I want, and no one can stop me.”
It was true, Rogan could get away with murder—he already had. He was the leader of his cartel and no one else would interfere. They may have kept in contact but full control of the area lay with Rogan. “One year. Give me one year and I’ll pay you whatever you want. Just name your price,” Cora said, thinking on her feet as she saw the stubbornness in the tight line of his jaw. She knew when to give in—or at least appear to. There was nothing she could hold over his head this time.
“Money isn’t an incentive. It was never a factor in my thinking.” He leaned back against his desk, arms folded across his chest defiantly.
“One year, the money and Nick works for you,” she blurted out without thinking it through. However, as soon as the words left her lips she saw an opportunity. There was a spark of intrigue in Rogan’s eyes at the offer but he concealed it quickly.
“What would make you think I would want your friend as a replacement when he isn’t of any use to me like you are?”
“He is. He’s just like me. Why do you think we’re such good friends? He’s the only one I can confide in.” Cora lied, hoping he believed the false sincerity in her voice. Having been able to detect liars from the age of four, it definitely gave her a few pointers on what to do when needing to lie herself. There were three rules she kept to:
1) Keep eye contact. People assumed liars always looked away. It wasn’t a fact that was true, but if the majority of people believed it, then you went with it to protect yourself.
2) Keep it simple and to the point. Don’t add too much detail or you will get tripped up. Don’t add too little or you will appear suspicious because of your vagueness.
3) Be confident because hesitation will get you found out.
She hated herself for what she was doing but Cora pushed the thought out of her mind. The time to think about the consequences would be when her plan had actually worked and not before.
“Really? Well that changes things. Okay, you get one year and your friend belongs to me indefinitely.” Pulling out one of his many contracts, he handed Cora a pen and not giving herself time to doubt her actions, she signed her name and in doing so signed away her best friend’s life.
* * *
Rogan smiled at the memory. He knew she had been lying from the beginning. If there had been another False Finder living in his territory he would have known about it. Cora thought she had been clever and outsmarted him, but it was all part of his bigger plan. The idea of tracking Cora down and catching her again was exciting for him. It was obvious she planned to disappear with her year—or at least that’s what he would have done in her situation. What she didn’t know was that the next time she would be left with nothing to offer him and no friends. He had played her, and in his opinion, he got the better end of the deal. I
t may have taken him a few years to find her but it wasn’t of drastic importance. In her absence, he had found torturing worked just as well as a False Finder, so his business had never been compromised.
What he didn’t know though was whether Cora would take the bait like some helpless animal walking into a snare. It didn’t matter as Cora had run out of lies herself and would have to sign to survive or watch her friend tortured. Rogan had his doubts, but when he saw her reaction he knew instantly she would comply. It wasn’t just the shock of seeing her best friend tied up in the basement with four of his men surrounding her that made Cora gasp. It was the fact she knew she was beaten.
“So here’s the situation. You can either refuse to sign and my men get the order to do whatever they please with your friend, Misty. And then I will force you to sign a contract. Or, you could save Misty a lot of pain and trauma, and yourself a lifetime of guilt, if you willingly sign the contract and work for me. The choice is yours and because I’m feeling benevolent, I will give you ten minutes to consider my offer.” He leaned in closer. “Refuse to sign and I’ll let the dogs loose.”
Cora stood there batting her eyes as she tried to comprehend her options. Sinking back down into the chair, she knew Rogan had her cornered and she could hear the truth in his words; Rogan never bluffed. She couldn’t allow Misty to go through any torture Rogan had planned for her if she wasn’t going to be free anyway. But that was Rogan’s plan.
He had built his empire on exploiting people and giving them impossible choices where he was the only winner. Rogan never gave you options that let him come out of the deal a loser. There was always a catch and Cora knew it well. He was always one step ahead. He was smart, ruthless, conniving…a predator. He owned his world and when the war had hit he saw an opportunity and was ready.