Page 17 of Captive

“And you would be right. Are you leaving for the summer?”

She gazed into my eyes again, shaking her head. “I live here. Well, at least until after I graduate.”

“What about family? Is there someone you can go spend time with?”

“I have no family and I need to work. There is no other choice for a girl like me.”

While her words were laced with defiance, I could tell it haunted her to be forced to say them. There was no time to ask why.

Not that I cared.

“Then you’re going to follow my directions. There are no other options. If you don’t, you could die. Do I make myself clear enough for you to understand?” I could smell a hint of fear but to my surprise, she held her resolve, refusing to fall apart.

“Yes, I understand that in some crazy way you think you’re protecting me.”

“I’m the only one who can do that. The only hope you have.”

“Why would these men hurt me? What do they want? I have nothing. No money, no connections to anyone important. I’m just a hopeless girl with a limited future.”

Whether or not she was trying to play to my sympathies, I wasn’t certain. I would hate for her to realize that I had no empathy for another human being. “Because they want to get to me.”

“And who are you really? What are you hiding?”

“Enough that you would have nightmares for the rest of your life.”

Her mouth twisted but she gave me a single nod.

“Is your car in the parking lot?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Then I’m going to walk you outside and make certain you’re safe. You will do what I told you last night. Do you have a weapon?”

Now she was flustered. “Do I look like the kind of girl who owns a gun?”

“As long as you have a sharp knife, you will be surprised at what you can do. Sleep with it by your side.”

“I… Okay.”

I took her by the arm, pulling her close to the door then pushing her aside, placing my finger over my mouth to keep her quiet. When I opened the door, only then did I realize just how long I’d kept her behind closed doors. There was no sign of anyone in the joint. While I’d closed on more than one occasion for Travis, even owning a set of keys to the place, I was surprised he’d left while I was still inside with the girl.

When I got to the locked front door, I cocked my head. “You’re not going to fight me. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I get it. Okay?”

I opened the door, scanning the parking lot. At least the cheap strip mall was well lit even if every one of the businesses was closed for the night. I noticed a car parked near mine and pulled her toward it. I knew there were words that needed to be said, at least in order to help her sleep, but I wasn’t that kind of man.

There was no romance in my world.

No need for anything other than brutal passion.

Even though the taste of her had been sweet, I would forbid myself from indulging any further. I couldn’t risk it on any level.

“Where are your keys?” I asked, still scanning the area. Given it was well after two in the morning, there was very little traffic. An eerie feeling came from out of nowhere. My grip on her tightened. “Where are your damn keys, Chloe?”

“Here. I only take one with me. Okay? Jesus.” She jerked away from me, her hands shaking as she tried to unlock her door, the battered car little more than a clunker. When she opened her door, I was relieved, waiting until she climbed inside, holding it open for a few seconds while she peered up at me with her big, emerald green pools of electric draw.

Damn, what I wanted to do to her.