Uncovering You 3: Resistance Read Free

soon as the minute hand hits twelve, Stonehart puts the tablet down. He looks at me.
    His eyes sweep over my body. He takes in my face, my neck, my shoulders. His gaze lingers for a long moment on my breasts. I fight the urge to fidget under his stare.
    But, after a moment, I realize that I don’t even feel the need to shy away. Let him look. His eyes can’t hurt me.
    Stonehart’s gaze returns to mine. His expression is blank, impossible to read. I can’t even tell if he’s pleased, annoyed, pissed off, or agitated. He has an amazing poker face. I’d imagine it has served him well many times in the past.
    Finally, a small smile breaks the impasse. “If you can make yourself look like that in under an hour,” he says, “I can’t imagine what you could do if I gave you the proper amount of time.”
    A little thrill shoots through me at the complimentary words. I don’t let it show.
    Instead, I acknowledge him with a slight tilt of my head. “Thank you, Jeremy.”
    He drums his fingers on the table as he looks at me. “Now,” he says, “there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for the longest time. I wasn’t quite sure how to break the news.”
    I pick up the flute of water and take a delicate sip. “Oh?”
    “You remember, of course, the progression of your freedoms?”
    “Naturally,” I say.
    “First, I want to reinforce the notion that any TGBs that you’ve been given will not be taken away. They are yours by right, Lilly. I want you to know that.”
    It sickens me how easily I can consider TGBs without feelings of disgust, given that they are very real reminders of my imprisonment. “Thank you, Jeremy.”
    “You’re welcome. Now, the thing I wanted to speak to you about has to do with your tokens, in a way. That is, it has to do with the freedoms your TGBs earn. You remember, I assume, that twenty-five tokens will grant you the ability to attend public outings at my side?”
    “I do.”
    “Well, there’s a problem with that, Lilly,” he begins. My insides fill with dread. “At the end of the month, there is a private gala that I’ve been invited to attend. It benefits the Children’s Make a Wish Foundation. Stonehart Industries is one of the largest sponsors of the group.”
    “For tax purposes, I presume?” I say before I can stop myself.
    Stonehart’s eyes narrow. A sliver of anger shows behind them. “No,” he says testily. “No, Lilly. You’ll find that some endeavors I undertake for reasons of true altruism.”
    “That’s very kind of you,” I mutter, not bothering to keep the sarcasm from my voice. He dares talk to me about altruism?
    “Yes,” Stonehart says. I see him fighting to keep the displeasure from his face. “Anyway, Lilly , the gala is the first event I want to bring you to. That means you have just under thirty days to earn twenty TGBs. I expect the utmost effort from you to fulfill that task.”
    My mind spins. If I get twenty-five, it means I’ll be halfway to earning my full freedom.
    Would he really give me so many in a month?
    Then again, Stonehart is the only person who can actually distribute them. He wants to take me to a public gathering with him? I can already think of a dozen things that can go wrong there. For him, and for me.
    It’s a risk. I assume he won’t let me leave his side. But, at the same time, if there’s any chance to slip away, I’ll have to take it.
    He interrupts my thoughts and speaks as if he’s read my mind.
    “Assuming you do manage to earn sufficient TGBs,” he says, “be warned that certain… precautions … will be taken to ensure full compliance with my set of rules for leaving the house.” He leans back in his seat. “ But . That is still a long way off. There is no point troubling ourselves by speaking of them this early.” He inclines his head and looks at me from under the arch of his brows. “As we both know, Lilly, a lot can change over the course of one month.”
    I see movement to my side, and look over