Page 66 of Cruel Salvation

Chapter21

Waking up with a start,Lotus went to wipe her face and found her arms bound behind her back. Suddenly assaulted with what had happened at the safehouse, her mind went to her baby and the pill she’d planned to fake swallow dissolving on her tongue before she could spit it out. She should have known Simon was too savvy to trust her to take it and that was without him even knowing about her condition. She’d been so focused on Damon, her concern for him had overridden her sense and she just prayed it didn’t harm her child.

Barely three months in and she was already fucking up her kid. What was she even thinking having a child? She’d be better off handing it over to Damon and walking away. He’d be a great dad. He was everything she wished she’d had as a kid. Kind, funny, caring, loving, and unafraid to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Her musings were cut short when the door to a bland, boring, almost empty, room, which only contained a chair and a filing cabinet, pushed open. Lotus took in the space and realised it was a stone outbuilding of some kind. The sweet, sickly smell of apple pie coated her throat and made her already delicate stomach object.

Lastly, she gave her attention to the woman who was watching her from the door; Andrea Peston. She was of medium height with mousy brown hair and cold, yet beautiful, blue eyes. Her business suit was immaculate, but she wore a white lab coat as if to add more authority to her presence. She was trying too hard, and it was clear this woman was trying to be something she wasn’t. A dangerous game for her to play with someone like Lotus, who liked to play with her food.

“The great Nazareli Holt, what a pleasure to meet you. I’d shake your hand, but you seem a little tied up.”

Ah, so that was the game afoot. Trying to belittle her and make her feel less so she could feel important. Lotus almost laughed out loud at her sad attempt to bait her. She’d been up close and personal with Rhea Winslow, who was a true monster. This woman was a pathetic imitation. That was the thing about Rhea Winslow, she’d been true evil, but she’d also been fucking smart and cold and calculating in a way that you could almost admire. If she’d put her brain and energy into good, there would’ve been no way to stop her, and the world would’ve benefitted.

“I apologise. You have me at a disadvantage. I have no idea who you are.”

Lotus saw the tick of her jaw at the jab to her ego before she hid it behind a feigned mask of indifference.

“Then let me introduce myself. I’m Andrea Peston, and you and I are going to be very good friends.”

“Oh, my friends don’t usually tie me up, at least not unless we’re really good friends if you know what I mean, and then only if I ask them to.” Lotus winked and chuckled and she could sense she was already getting to the woman.

“Very droll, but you can cut the sarcasm.”

Lotus inclined her head. “Okay, so tell me why you have me here. I assume it isn’t for my wit and company.”

Andrea stepped forward, her high heels clacking on the concrete floor, as she stopped just a few steps away. So not completely stupid then.

“You’re here because my father saw something in you and I’m here to finish his work.”

“And who is your father?”

Andrea pursed her lips in obvious irritation, showing how much the little digs were getting at her that, with a woman like Lotus, was unwise.

“Dr Clive Peston. The man who oversaw the scientific programme for your very dead boss.”

That was interesting to Lotus because she clearly believed that Lotus had been on the same side as Rhea, which meant she didn’t know anywhere close to what she thought she did.

“I remember him. A bald little man who had a habit of talking to my breasts and not my face.”

The slap was swift and stung, making Lotus grit her teeth to stop the natural fury she would normally exude from such an action.

“Watch your mouth when you speak of him. He was a great scientist, and I’ll finish his work.”

“You’re a scientist too?”

Her cheek throbbed but it only increased her focus and told her more about Andrea than she wished her to see. Her father was her weakness, and not because she loved him or worshipped him, but because she was aware of the distasteful traits the man had had. He’d blatantly ogled the other female scientists and, if it wasn’t for his genius in the lab, Lotus would have ended his sorry life years ago.

“No, I’m a businesswoman, but luckily for me, I don’t have to be a measly scientist. My father left all the recipes and equations for his drug in his journals. I have everything I need to finish his work.”

Andrea seemed to have no understanding of just how dumb she was if she believed she had what it took to become the next Rhea Winslow. “And how does that work exactly? What’s the end game here?”

The hands at her sides fluttered excitedly as if she’d been dying for her to ask that exact question. “I’m happy you asked.”

“I’ll bet.”

Andrea frowned at the comment but was too engrossed in herself to realise she was being insulted, or perhaps it was too subtle.

“You’re a fine specimen. Smart, fit, beautiful, calculating, and your heart is made of pure stone. Your time with Winslow proves you take orders well and because of your size, you have the ability to look unassuming.”