Finally to admit it felt as though Nicki couldn't gasp air anymore. Her lungs choked on every breathe as though she were inhaling bricks. Though she had to face the truth of her situation her stubborn mind refused to accept she wouldn't be breaking out of her prison before Tracy came on Friday to collect her. Alright the pin trick hadn't worked and her now failed attempt at breaking the bedroom window had left her unsuccessful and with an angry man at her back, that didn't mean she couldn't get past this life threatening dilemma like she got through every other issue in her life.
'Just breathe' Nicki whispered to herself bracing against the sharp pain of her manic heart in her chest. She just had to deal with the consequences of this failed escape attempt and once he'd left she would just try again.
'That's probably a good idea sweetheart'
Nicki's shoulders hunched from the closeness of his voice, during her few seconds of quiet contemplation he had moved within inches of her back almost resting his cheek next to her ear as he spoke. No wonder he'd heard her few words of reassurance. Anger freshly asserted Nicki slowly brought her eyes to meet his interested gaze.
'So I can put lack of personal space on the list of issues I have with my new living arrangements,' Nicki almost spat 'do you have a pen so I can write all this down?' she knew riling Jared up in a confined room probably wasn't the next best option after escaping from her jail but so far the consequences for her defiant actions had been non existent and Nicki hoped that meant that if nothing else she could vent her contempt upon Jared with little fear of repercussion even if she couldn't escape him.
Jared gently raised his brows at her sarcasm, the movement so subtle if she hadn't been staring directly into his eyes she would of missed the flash of reaction at her words. Without reply Jared took a step back, his warm presence momentarily lingering on her cool skin before evaporating and leaving her once again cold and hyper aware of the room around her.
Jared still meeting her weary gaze extended his hand towards the lamp primed in her rigid fingers. 'I'm glad you didn't try to hit me with that and steel my keys' he joked though the humour didn't reach the intense blue of his eyes.
Nicki had no reply. Had she been thinking with the same logic as Jared's obviously calculating mind, she would have thought to do just that. Another failed escape plan had passed her before she'd even had chance to try it.
'I'm clearly not as seasoned as you in situations like this' Nicki muttered reluctantly handing her make shift hammer over.
Jared repressed a nod of agreement deciding it best not to confirm her statement.
'It's not something you really get used to'.
Slipping the lamp out of Nicki's fingers Jared was freshly assured in order to prevent these future potentially violent incidents it was time Nicki learned not to fuck with him the fast way. In order for Jared to set in motion the plan for the rest of the week he needed to remove her false sense of strength and bravery. A process he didn't enjoy indulging in for longer than needed to break her down just enough to bring compliance.
'Spoken like a true mobster.'
This time Jared allowed the broad smile to sweep across his lips. Even terrified and completely unarmed she still refused to drop the one weapon she wielded better than any other. That quick witted little tongue in her mouth.
Shaking his head to dispel the moment Jared wiped the smirk and replaced it with his customary blank gaze.
'You know I think your right. That was spoken like a true mobster'
The neutral tone Jared used to illustrate each word fluttered a soft unease into the small space between them surprisingly sending a confusing chill through Nicki's spine. The sudden lack of emotion in his voice felt unwelcome in her desperate situation. Which unsurprisingly brought momentary pause to the smart remark she'd primed on the tip of her tongue.
'Nicki, I think I've given you a slightly false impression of exactly who I am and what I intend to do with you while your with me.' Jared set the lamp back on the side table before laying the throw down carefully on the bed. His harsh tone at odds with his gentle actions.