Part 79 (1/2)
”Fleur.”
”Shaun.”
”Did you want something?”
I fix him with a practiced pathetic look. ”I want to accept the help you offered me.”
”Interesting.” He smiles and unlocks his door.
I can do this. I follow him.
Shaun sits on the edge of his desk, long legs crossed at the ankles. ”What help do you think I have to offer?”
”You need to explain that we collaborated, Shaun. That the paper you published was the majority my work.”
”Why would I do that?”
”You know why. This could ruin me.” I step closer to him. ”Please.”
”I told you what you needed to do if you wanted me to talk to the Board about our mistake.” His voice is low, and he runs his disgusting tongue along his lips as he stares at my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
”You weren't specific.”
”You need me to be specific? I want what you offered to me once before.”
”I didn't offer you anything!”
Shaun pulls himself away from the desk and approaches until he's as close as in the library. I hold my ground as he tips my chin upwards. ”Is that right?”
I wrench my head away. The game he played with me in the library has been replaced by something more serious. We stare at each other for a moment, and I itch to smack the amus.e.m.e.nt off his face.
”Would you like a drink, Fleur?” he asks, dropping his hand and heading to the nearby cupboard. He pulls out a bottle of whisky and two gla.s.ses.
”No.” I wrap my arms around myself. My sixth sense yells to get the h.e.l.l out of the room, but I ignore it. I have things to say to this man.
Shaun pours a generous gla.s.s and drinks it in one go. Then another. He holds the bottle over the second gla.s.s. ”Are you sure? I think you could do with relaxing.”
I shake my head and he pours a third gla.s.s for himself. ”What did you want, Fleur?”
”If I do what you ask, will you tell the truth to the department?” I blurt.
”Yes.”
”How can I believe you?”
Shaun smirks and sips from his gla.s.s. ”Do you think this is the first time? Do you know how much easier my research is when stupid girls hand me their ideas on a plate?”
”Here?”
”No, at Manchester. Not that the situation went this far. A threat was enough that time.” He leans closer and whispers. ”I love it, when somebody's in your control and because they're desperate, they'll pretty much do anything.”
I bite back the desire to yell at what a b.a.s.t.a.r.d he is, but focus on not breaking eye contact.
”I know, Shaun. That's what I came to tell you. I just wanted you to confirm what Jo told me.”
”Who's Jo?” He drains his gla.s.s again.
”You know who she is.”
”Do you mean the s.l.u.t from Manchester? The one who tried to steal my work too? She wanted revenge because I wouldn't accept her... advances. Like you.”
”Quite a coincidence, don't you think?”
He shrugs. ”Doesn't matter. I put the department straight on that one. I'm too trusting, I think. A beautiful girl comes my way and I'm too distracted to notice she's taking advantage of me.”
”Taking advantage of you?” My voice rises. ”Jo told me why the charges were dropped. What you did to her.”
”What I did to her? I think it was a fair exchange.”
”What? You steal her work, pa.s.s it off as your own, and then blackmail her into s.e.x. She was terrified of you and what might happen.”
”Is that what she told you?” Shaun pours his fourth gla.s.s.
”Well, I didn't come here to do what Jo did. I came to tell you that you're not going to win this time. Men like you need exposing, before you screw around with somebody else's life.”
”And girls like you need to learn where their place is.”
”Wrong. You may've done this to one girl, but you're not doing it to another!”
”One?” A sardonic smile grows. ”Try four. I don't normally have to go the full plagiarism route before they give up what they owe me.”
”You disgusting piece of...”
Shaun holds his hands up. ”Hey, they're willing volunteers. None of them told me to stop.”
This man is twisted, and it's clear he enjoys every moment of his abuse. I'm not staying to listen to anymore of his repulsive stories.
Without a word, I head to the door. Before I can open it, Shaun grabs my arm.
”Where are you going?”
”Like I said, Shaun. Wrong girl.”
”You're a f.u.c.king tease, walking in here promising me something then accusing me of bulls.h.i.+t! Who do you think you are?” I wince as his fingers dig into my upper arm. The whisky on his breath turns my stomach and a sudden surge of fear joins a thought. Just because he didn't a.s.sault me last time, doesn't mean he won't.
I drag my arms from his grip. ”You touch me again and I'll report you.”
My phone rings and I let it ring out. Shaun remains close, not touching but threatening. The shrill ring begins again.