Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Answer me, you son of a bitch. What the fuck are you going to do to me?”
“You talk a lot.”
I glare up at him. “Gee… I guess that’s what I do when I get kidnapped by a giant man-beast who holds me captive in a castle to be babysat by a goddamn club girl,” I yell.
His eyebrows lift. “I haven’t kidnapped you. In case you didn’t notice, I saved your ass.”
“And brought me here and kept me locked up.” My eyes hold his. “And now you have me tied to your bed.”
“This is not my bed. This is a guest room, and it is where you’ll stay until I say otherwise.”
“I will do no such thing.”
“Why do you fight me when you know you can’t win?”
“Because you’re making me do something I don’t want to do. And don’t get me started on how you manhandle me like a brute.”
“Because you refuse to listen to reason.”
“Reason? You consider this reasonable behavior?”
“When it’s saving your life…yes.” He brings his face closer. “And just so we’re clear, when you talk about the club girls, you will speak with respect, just as everyone in our clubhouse is expected to.”
For a second, I see a hint of gentleness in his eyes. But one blink and it’s gone.
“Let me go,” I plead.
“This is how it is going to be, Belle. You need to make peace with it now.”
I swallow thickly. “Are you going to hurt me?”
He tilts his head as his eyes roam my face, and I’m so acutely aware of his warmth engulfing me.
“You’re afraid of me,” he says.
“Yes.” I can barely breathe because of the way he is looking at me. The full lips. The dark eyes. The menacing attractiveness of his scars.
“You don’t need to be if you do as you’re told.”
“Says the serial killer right before he makes a lampshade out of your skin,” I say without blinking.
He looks confused. I confuse him. And it’s about the only thing I have going for me right now.
He straightens. “Now, have you calmed down?”
I glare at him. I want to tell him to go to hell but I know it won’t win me any favors. Nor will it get me anywhere with this asshole.
I grit my teeth. “Yes.”
“Thank God for small mercies,” he grumbles.
I narrow my eyes and study the man who is keeping me prisoner.
If you gave me two words to describe him, they would be ruggedly hot. Oh wait, let’s make it three words. Ruggedly hot asshole.
And he’s big.
I know I’ve mentioned it before. But he’s so massive it warrants mentioning it again.
He’s also a grumpy jerk who doesn’t respond well to being challenged, and I realize now I will need to change tactics to get what I want. Which is to find my uncle and get the hell out of this castle.
He comes back to the bed and releases the ties from my wrists.
“Thank you,” I manage. My voice is small.
He looms over me, looking down at me, and I feel tiny in comparison to his size. I hold my breath. Waiting for what other crazy demands he is going to lay on me.
“We will talk in the morning,” he says. “Until then, get some sleep.”
“That’s it? You’re just going to dump all of this on me and then leave me here to stew?”
“What would you have me do?” He arches an eyebrow. Then very slowly, his gaze sweeps over me, and I feel my body begin to burn beneath it. Tiny throbs take up at my core because the heat in his gaze is positively nuclear.
I shift awkwardly. Mainly in an attempt to calm the throbs. But also because I feel very exposed and vulnerable and…like prey.
“I hope you’re ready for a fight,” I blurt out.
His eyes lock to mine. “Fight me, and this will be much worse for you.”
“You might have me at a disadvantage. But I will not make it easy for you.”
He takes a menacing step toward me. “Then this is going to be even less pleasant.”
I see the flash of menace in his eyes. Feel his dark power radiating off him.
Fear twists in my chest. This man could kill me with his bare hands and not even break a sweat.
I shrink back but keep my stare locked on his. I might be afraid, but I’ll be damned if I let him see it.
A cold smirk curls on his lips as he turns and makes his way to the door.
“Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”
I watch him leave then leap off the bed to check the door behind him. Of course it’s locked.
A flash of lightning cracks into the room. I walk to the window and look out into the darkness. It is raining again.
At least in here I am safe and dry.
Even if I’m being held captive.