Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Somehow, it was stronger than when I fell asleep last night. Same as it had been the past four mornings. At first, I thought maybe it was just lingering cologne left behind from Kane. But the smell never faded. Instead, it grew sharper and more impossible to ignore each time I woke up.
I breathed in slowly, my eyes still closed as I tried to shake off the haze. My limbs were heavy with sleep, and the bed was too comfortable to leave.
I’d gotten more rest being a Redline Kings hostage than I had in months. Maybe years.
I had no responsibilities in this room, except for the studying I had gotten done since Kane brought my study guide and notes. No laptop, though. He hadn’t given in to that request, no matter how often I asked. Even without the Wi-Fi password, giving me a computer was apparently a risk he wasn’t willing to take.
With no work obligations—or electronics to distract me, aside from the television he brought in the second day—I’d worked through the entire study guide and finally felt prepared for my exam. If I got out of here in time. Or ever.
Something I was beginning to doubt as the days ticked past.
I didn’t even know if Kane had been able to get in touch with my brother. He wouldn’t tell me anything, and he was the only person I’d seen since I was brought here.
He brought me all of my meals and stayed to eat breakfast with me three times. Not yesterday, though. I didn’t want to admit it—not even to myself—but I had missed that time with him. And not just because he wouldn’t let anyone else around me.
Whatever game he was playing, I didn’t understand the rules. Only that the stakes felt higher each day.
One thing was clear. Kane wasn’t treating me like just leverage.
I just didn’t know whether that made things better…or worse.
The lock on the door clicked, and my eyes popped open as I sat up. Kane stepped inside, broad-shouldered and imposing as ever, a tray laden with food balanced easily in one hand and carrying a bag with words “Bookshell Cove” on it. My stupid heart gave a little kick, and I hated that my body reacted this way every time I saw him. Which was much more often than I expected.
“Morning.” He set the tray next to me on the mattress, then set the bag on the nightstand on my other side.
There were two plates and a bowl with heaping servings of eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit. It was way more than I could finish, so I assumed he was going to join me until he turned toward the dresser.
“Trying to fatten me up?” I asked, tugging the tray closer.
“You’d know if I wanted to add to your curves.” He snorted. “Eat.”
Bossy caveman.
Of course my stomach picked that exact moment to rumble. Lifting my fork, I asked, “You want any?”
“Not this morning.” He opened the top drawer and pulled out a folded black T-shirt. “Gotta change before a meeting. Leave whatever you don’t want. I’ll grab the tray later.”
I took a bite of eggs to buy myself a second to study him without being obvious. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead. We both know you’re gonna ask whatever you want anyway.” After slipping his leather vest off, he tugged the shirt he was wearing over his head in one smooth motion, muscles flexing as he exposed his bare chest to my hungry gaze.
I forced my eyes back to my plate. “Why’d you put me in your room? It must make things inconvenient for you when you need something since I’m always here.”
“Not really. I can come and go whenever I want.”
His reply was muffled, so I figured it was safe to look up again. The clean shirt was on, and I caught the corner of his mouth kicking up.
Irritated by how smug he was while basically rubbing my hostage status in my face, I mumbled, “Unlike me.”
He flat-out grinned. “Unlike you.”
I chomped a bite of toast with a glare. “In case you forgot, I’m not here voluntarily.”
“Didn’t forget.” He took a step closer, thumbs hooking in the belt loops of his jeans. “Your ten days aren’t up.”
“Almost halfway.” I set the fork down, my appetite diminishing at the reminder. “How’s the bait plan working out for you? Ready to concede that kidnapping me was a bad idea when you can’t even let my brother know that you have me?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “We’ll see.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
“Then give me a real answer to the one I originally asked.” I set the fork down and met his gaze straight on. “Why this room? I’m sure there are plenty of others in this compound you could’ve shoved me into.”
He gave me what I demanded, but I was in no way prepared for his response.