Free Ocean Kills (Ocean Breeze) by Jade Hart Page B

qualms about using information to gain me access to Thembi. Thanks to my Google search on business associates of Bazeer’s, I saw how the two men were linked. “I've also worked extensively with young women who were sold as cures for certain ailments.”
    Bazeer froze again. Was that a good freeze or an I'm-going-to-kill-you freeze?
    I continued in a rush, “I know how to dress the girls, teach them how to act. I coach in the art of love and obedience. I make the purchaser believe in the fantasy he’s buying.” I wanted to scrape my mouth out. I spoke such filth.
    Bazeer didn't respond. Instead, he buzzed an intercom on his desk. “Sandy, please escort Miss—” He raised an eyebrow.
    “Ocean.” No harm in using my real name. He was no threat to me.
    “Miss Ocean to her new quarters, and organize a new wardrobe. I wish her to begin work immediately.”
    My heart sprinted in fear and sick anticipation. I'd done it. I was in bed with the devil.
    I frowned. He agreed too quickly—it was too easy. Why didn't he ask me to prove my claims? Where were the demands of a strip show, or performance of some horrid sexual act? Of course, I was ecstatic to avoid anything of the sorts, but still. . .
    The secretary discretely opened the door behind me. “Miss, if you come this way?”
    “How long is my employment for, sir?” I asked, licking my lips, staying in character. I needed to know my countdown to save Thembi.
    “You will be assessed over the next two days. If you please me, your employment will be open-ended and at my discretion, Miss Ocean.” His hand twitched before he added, “ Don't disappoint me. You will not enjoy what I will do to you otherwise.” He stalked toward me.
    I fought hard to stay where I was; to lean toward him with a smile. “I won't disappoint, Mr. Bazeer.”
    Cold fingers grasped my chin and he held me captive as his dark eyes devoured me. “If you please me, Miss Ocean, you will be very well rewarded.” We were almost the same height and I cringed as his tongue licked the seam of my lips. “Be careful you please me, girl.” I was released with a small shove.
    I wanted to rub my lips raw from his repugnant taste. Instead, I smiled and batted my eyelashes. Thembi. Find Thembi. Then you can kill him.
    “I look forward to showing you what I’m capable of, Mr. Bazeer,” I said in a breathy voice, then followed his little minion out of his office.
    While we waited for the elevator, the receptionist handed me a manila envelope. “You will stay in apartment number six-ninety. The key is in there, along with an advance of forty thousand rand. What size are you?”
    At least my working fund just increased. “I'm a size eight in Australian sizes; I'm not sure in any other.”
    The girl eyeballed me and nodded. “I will arrange a new wardrobe to be sent to you. You must stay in your room until further notice.”
    We took the elevator up to my new gilded cage. With each floor we passed, fingers of trepidation tightened in my gut. This was dangerous. This could quickly get out of hand. The Botoxed girl opened the door to apartment six-ninety and waited until I stepped inside before locking me in. The sound of the lock clicking didn't scare me. Doors and walls were nothing when I wanted to leave. Only lack of food could truly imprison me.
    I was pleasantly surprised to see the gaudiness and over-the-top crap was at a minimum in my cage. Whitewashed walls and subtle bamboo furniture graced the bedroom. There was a bathroom and a small kitchenette. One wall was a huge window with panoramic views of the city, but there was no balcony or any other exit apart from the front door.
    With nothing else to do, I lay across the bed and opened the manila folder. Inside was a wad of cash and an iPad. My eyes widened. Giving gifts to his employees? What did this mean?
    I spent the rest of the day sprawled on the bed, surfing the web. My addiction to reading newspaper articles on reported murders and rapes kept