Page 27 of Creeping Beautiful

OK. Wait. I have to interrupt. What reasons? Like… what are the bad ones and what are the good ones?

Maybe I should clarify. All the reasons you buy someone are wrong, Indie. All of them. So Adam is not some kind of saint. He’s just as guilty as anyone. Including me. But… what he did… if he really did that… I mean… I respect the guy for that shit.

What shit?

We’re not gonna talk about that today, either. Maybe, when you get older, I’ll tell you everything. But not today. And don’t make that face at me. You’re ten years old.

But when? When will I be old enough?

After you finish your first job I’ll come back and—

No. No, no. Wait. You’re not coming back until then? Donovan—

I didn’t mean it that way. I’ll be back once a month. Adam and I agreed on three months at first, but it’s clear you need more consistent guidance. So once a month.

For how long?

How long will I stay? Or—

How long will you keep coming?

For as long as you want.

You promise?

Indie Anna. I’m trying to tell you things right now. Do you want to know them or—

I do. Just… I need you to keep coming back forever. Like… that’s not even a joke. For. Ever. Donovan. I mean it. Once a month forever.

Fine. I promise I will. Anyway… of all the men there that day at the auction Adam was the only one I knew who would take care of you. He wasn’t interested in you the way the others might be. And don’t ask me to explain that, because I won’t. Ever. It makes me fucking sick just thinking about it. So I made sure he saw you the way I saw you.

You’re smiling. Why are you smiling?

Because you see me.

I see you. And I’m trying to help you. Because while this situation with Adam and McKay is better, it’s not… the best. It’s just… you’re different, Indie. You’re not like other people. None of us are. We don’t fit in anywhere but in the world of the Company. Adam was… he’s just a lot like you. More than you understand right now. I know he looks like he’s in charge, and as far as you’re concerned, he is. But he’s not. His mind is… OK. I’m getting too far off track here. What I really want to say is this. They’re going to make you do things. Dangerous things. And you have to follow Adam and McKay’s directions and rules because they really do know what they’re doing. I’m coming here to talk to you because I like you, but I’m also coming here to talk to you because Adam is paying me now.

I thought you said he wasn’t your boss?

He’s… he’s not. Not really. He’s just paying me to help you. That’s all. Because he knows we were friends back on the island and I took a liking to you.

I like you too.

Thanks. So that brings me back to my question. Did you get enough information from me? Or do you need more before I can ask it?

Go ahead. It’s your turn, I guess.

OK. Tell me why you’re here with Adam and McKay.

You just explained it.

Indie Anna.

Fine. I’m here to be their… I don’t really know if there’s a word for it.

Explain it. Then if there is no word, we’ll make one up.

I’m here to… clean things up.