Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
She glanced at him for a split second, and her eyes darted away. What gave a man so many scars on his face and hands?
“You don’t even know what I’m running from.”
“We don’t care.”
“Here, we’re judge and jury on all that matters. If you work with us, we’ll see that nothing bad comes for you.”
Was it really that easy? She had no doubt they possessed the power to defend her in this fortress they called home. But was it nuts to trust them? They could also turn on her, lie, or trick her. “Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t,” the scarred one at her back said, matter-of-factly.
His callous tone sent dread worming through her insides. Then he touched her, and she stilled. “You should fear us. Not because we’re bigger. Not because there are three of us and one of you. You should fear us because it’s wise.”
“Not to mention,” The green-eyed one added, “that delicious tang fear adds to a woman’s taste.”
Unwelcome heat bloomed in her belly as hands tightened over her flesh ever so slightly. Around her hip, between her thighs, loosely framing her wrists as if to deliver an unspoken message.
“You want to push my hand away,” the one with the green eyes taunted, voice thick with suspicious distrust.
It was a test. They told her the terms. Now, she had to honor them. She bet he loved scaring women with his enormous size and all those terrifying tattoos and scars. He looked like he’d escaped a Norse tribe.
She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of cowering, so she lifted her chin defiantly. Showing him she was stronger than she looked.
“Ah, there’s that strong will I caught sight of last night.” Those attentive green eyes teased her with mocking approval. “Chased in by the cold. I was the one who unlocked the door for you, you know?”
Because he took pity on her or because he saw her as prey and wanted to lure her deeper into his domain?
“What better option do you have?” the blond asked.
He studied her with the intensity of a predator scenting prey. She’d once read that when faced with a wild animal, like a wild bear in nature, the best thing to do was scare it. The minute a person ran, it became a game, and the bears always won.
She wasn’t going to show them fear. No matter how much they scared her, she would not give them the satisfaction of knowing she was afraid.
She needed to show them she wasn’t a weak little woman or some pitiful concubine to pass their wasted time. “What exactly do you think I am?” she demanded, anger flaring despite her precarious position. “As a Langford—”
“Cut the crap.” The blond rolled his eyes. “Rich girls don’t wash up on remote islands alone. They arrive in private jets with security details and enough luggage to outfit small armies.”
“Maybe I’m not that rich.”
“Your coat disagrees.” The blond held up the ruined cashmere, flashing the Hermès tag. “Or is it Mary’s coat? I’ve never been great with names, printsessa.”
Marigold’s heart plummeted into her stomach. They didn’t believe her. Now would be the time to admit her identity and belongings were stolen. She honestly wasn’t sure if the lies were making matters worse or helping her. But she had the sinking fear that it was only a matter of time before they found all her secrets out. Then what would they do to her?
“You want to tell us the truth,” Green Eyes said. “I can see it in your eyes, the desire to unburden yourself and be free from the lies.” He caught her chin when she tried to look away, forcing her to face him. Face the truth.
She shut her eyes, and he let her go.
“Stolen invitation, stolen identity, stolen coat, probably stolen shoes. I wonder if she paid for the manicure.”
These men noticed everything. The quiet one’s gaze raked over her hands, and she instinctively curled her fingers to hide evidence of her privileged upbringing. “You’re wrong about everything.” Even to her own ears, her words lacked conviction.
“Are we?” The playful one at her legs lowered his chest, further caging her in at the knees. Heat radiated from his powerful frame. “Prove it. Tell us who you really are.”
The weight of their combined attention pressed down on her like a physical force. Three pairs of eyes—emerald green, black obsidian, and ice-blue—all focused on her with laser intensity. They were waiting for her to crack, to spill secrets that would destroy the fragile new life she was trying to build.
She couldn’t do it. Wouldn’t do it.
“I told you my name. It’s Mary Langford. I was visiting when I got caught in a storm.”
The rugged one snorted with derision. “Bullshit.”
“Hunter,” the blond’s voice carried a note of warning that could have frozen summer rain. “Leave it.”