Page 83 of Two Favors Repaid

“Ah, a true knight in shining armor. You’re going to love this next bit. I’m going to let you do the honors.”

“Nothing you could do to me could make me hurt Emma,” Rob said quietly.

Ford nodded thoughtfully. “What if I tell you I’ll cut of your balls, ask Melody to cook them, and make you eat them?”

A muscle ticked in Rob’s jaw, but he didn’t make a sound.

I can’t take it anymore.

It was Emma who started to beg. “Please don’t hurt him. I’ll do it.”

“You’ll do it? Say it so I know you mean it.”

“I’ll cut wherever you want me to cut. Just don’t hurt him.”

“Stop, Emma,” Rob said through clenched teeth. Gone was the bored expression. There was real anguish in his voice now.

“Then what are we waiting—” A loud noise from the front room interrupted Ford.

“Stephen!” Melody wailed.

Ford cursed loudly. “I’ll be back,” he threatened. The door slammed shut behind him.

#

Rob

Rob leaned back against the wall. His knees shook.

“Are you okay?” Emma asked quietly.

“Am I okay?” he whispered in disbelief. “What the hell were you trying to do?”

“I’m trying to keep us alive,” she said, her eyes wide.

“That’s what I’m working on, Emma. You—”

“No,” she whispered. “You’re not. I’m not an idiot, Rob. You’re trying to keep me alive, I understand that, but you’re not trying to keep yourself alive. And I damn well need you to live as well.”

He couldn’t deny her words, but he could still be angry at her for putting herself in danger.

“And you think you cutting yourself is—” He couldn’t get the words out of his mouth. Bile rose up in his stomach.

He worked to relax. Emma didn’t need him to scare her further.

“What time is it?” she asked quietly.

“Ten to three,” Rob answered. It felt like time had slowed down to a crawl.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay. I need to get this damn thing off, though,” he said, running his free hand gingerly along the collar. He wasn’t an expert on electric dog collars, but he didn’t think they required a key. There had to be a clasp here somewhere.

His thoughts were interrupted by a thundering noise outside.

“What’s that?” Emma asked fearfully.

“That’s a helicopter.”