Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Doumar crouched down next to her. “Don’t ever talk like that again. You’re going nowhere. I own you, baby, until the day you die.”
The leather of his pants creaked when he straightened. His footsteps on the raised floor of the caravan vibrated through her body as he walked to the door.
“Take care of our son’s cat. He’ll want it back when he’s in his new house.”
She didn’t look at him as he shut the door. Her body remained tight until she heard the engine of a car start up and tires screech on the tarmac. Only then did she relax her muscles one by one, giving in to the pain. Her head throbbed and her stomach cramped. It took effort to get onto her hands and knees. She pulled herself up on the vanity to assess the damage in the mirror. Her lip was split, but other than that, there was no visible damage, only what would be hidden under her clothes.
Unable to straighten, she clutched her stomach and stumbled to the kitchenette. She reached for the cupboard to take down aspirin and groaned at the pain that stabbed at her belly and side. Not bothering with a glass, she took milk from the mini-fridge and drank straight from the carton to swallow down the pill. Then she made her way bent over to the bed, fell down, and curled into a fetal position. For all her anger and pain, her eyes remained dry. She’d long since stopped giving Doumar the power of her tears. The cat joined her, nestling against her back. There was comfort in his presence, knowing it was a connection to Niels. His warm body and soft purr helped to soothe her as she wondered about her son, and where he was sleeping tonight.
Fuming with rage, Bono arrived at the base. At that late hour, only Maya was up.
He stomped into the lounge where she worked on a tablet. “Where are the others?”
“Cain is on the phone. Joss and Clelia are putting surveillance up around the club, and Lann and Sara took over my shift in the van. Ivan and Sean are sleeping.”
“I’ll let Lann know I’m home.”
She followed him to the kitchen. “No need. They’ll see it on the monitor and head back.” Leaning on the wall, her gaze followed his movements as he slammed items for a sandwich down on the counter. “I take it your seduction didn’t go well.”
“She played me.” He stacked lettuce and cold meat on a slice of bread. “I almost fell for it, until her boyfriend showed up.”
“Doumar?”
“Who else?” He spread a thick layer of mayo over the other slice and slapped it on top of the meat. “He bought her.”
“As in paid money for her?”
“Yes, and she doesn’t want to leave him.”
Her face lit up with understanding. “You’re disappointed. You want to justify her.”
Of all the people on the team, Joss aside, he knew Maya and Lann the longest. Maya was tough, a hard shell on the outside, but she had a good heart and a level head. He trusted and respected her judgment.
Sighing, he leaned his palms on the countertop. “Why would a slave love her jailer?”
“Stockholm syndrome?”
“He doesn’t sleep with her. She admitted it herself. Chances are he’s only keeping her for the money she makes. Why doesn’t she walk away? He can’t hold her.”
“Maybe he’s threatening her.”
“Tonight, I was there to protect her. One word from her and I would’ve taken her away from him, but she chose that scumbag.”
Maya crossed her arms. “That would’ve screwed up the mission. If you take her away from the enemy, how is she supposed to feed you the info?”
“I’ll never risk your lives, but damn, there’s something about her.”
“Is this your dick or your head speaking?”
He placed a palm on his chest. “My heart.”
“Are you sure it’s intelligent to listen to your heart on this?”
“You know I’m a man who lives by my gut. It’s saved my life plenty a time, both in the air and down on the ground.”
“What is your gut telling you about her?”
He uttered a labored sigh. “I don’t know. That’s she’s using me.”
“Like you’re using her? Are you sure it’s not your guilt talking?”
“You’re a woman. Tell me, Maya. Why would she kiss me, allow me to spill my guts, and then stomp on it by making a show of kissing Doumar in front of me? Is she trying to make me jealous?”
“I don’t know her. I can’t tell. What I can say from personal experience is that things aren’t always what they seem. You know what happened between me and Tim.”
“Did your gut warn you?”
“I guess. I just didn’t listen.” She walked over and placed a hand on his arm. “Bono, I love you. You’re my friend. You’re the godfather of our children. Please don’t make them orphans again. We’ve only just adopted. I know it’s a big responsibility, but all of our lives are riding on how well you handle this mission, and Cain wouldn’t have trusted you with the responsibility if he didn’t believe in you. Don’t make him regret his decision.”