15. The Black Bear

“Why?” May asked while looking at the drink in Stone's hand. "Why do you want me to calm down? What are you going to do to me?"

Stone studied May's pale face. She appeared very frightened, and that was making him utterly powerless. He placed the glass on the table and sighed.

"I won’t hurt you, May," Stone said. "You don't need to worry about that. I might not be a good person, but I'm not a rapist."

May blinked her wide eyes but remained still.

"Listen." Stone pulled a chair beside May and seated himself in front of her. He then leaned forward and rested his hands on May's knees.

Stone could see that May's gaze shifted to his hands in surprise, but she said nothing.

"I always keep my promises,” he continued. “I've told you that I won't let anyone hurt you again and I will try my best. This… what I ask you to do is the best I can do right now. You can trust me or not, but it doesn't change the reality of what's happening. The man who owns the hotel is someone very dangerous, and I'm s