Page 63 of Captured

“Yes. I was just asking questions.”

“Which is perfectly fine. You simply need to understand the ground rules. You will be allowed out of your room and the house, although you will need to be escorted by one of my men when leaving the primary residence. I have a winery, a library full of books, a game room, and of course the conservatory. In addition, I have a media room stocked with various movies, and a satellite system allowing you to find anything you might be looking for. I also have locked rooms and vaults where I keep weapons, cash, and other precious items. You will not ever have access to those.”

“Understood.”

He threw me a look and I had a feeling he was going to be testing me soon. “I hope you do. There are locations on this island that are dangerous, and venomous creatures that will kill you without thinking. You are not to go outside of the protected area of the premise.”

“How will I know where I can and can’t go?”

His laugh was soft and far too captivating. “I’m going to show you. Hold on, my sweet sparrow. I wouldn’t want you falling out. While I’ve developed several acres of the land, there are dozens more with rough and dangerous terrain.”

I had no doubt he was trying to scare me into not running into the forest. “Where are we? Hawaii?”

“Excellent guess. Why would you believe that over the Caribbean?”

“Because of the avocados. If this isn’t Hawaii, then I’d guess off the Mexican coast.”

“My little adventurer. Perhaps you are correct.”

“But you won’t tell me,” I chided.

“It’s in your best interest not to know.”

“So I won’t be able to tell the people who rescue me where I’m located.”

The charge of electricity was different, but all he did was tighten his grip on the steering wheel. “Tell me, Emily. When you are not playing music, what is your favorite thing to do for fun?”

“Fun? My father didn’t believe in having fun. He lost that ability when my mother was taken from us. He was all work, instilling the necessity inside of me.”

“What a pity.”

“What do you enjoy doing?”

He seemed uncertain how to answer the question. “I used to love flying.”

“Are you a pilot?”

“Absolutely. I obtained my pilot’s license when I was fifteen, my helicopter license when I was eighteen. I find both come in very handy.”

“And the guns you mentioned. Why?”

“Because I have many enemies, sweet Emily. If my location was discovered, there would be scores of them attempting to destroy everything I’ve built. That will never be allowed. But one day, one or more of them will attack and we must be ready.”

“We?” I asked, almost tentatively.

“Yes, my sweet Emily. We. As I said to you before. You belong to me. Not just for a few days or a few weeks but for the rest of your life.”

As a smile broke out across his face, the kind of change in a man’s expression that shifted from classic indifference to someone who’d fallen madly in love, the icy claws of a hand reached out and grabbed me. This was the very moment when everything I’d ever known, everything I’d wanted to achieve died.

Along with the woman inside.

I only wondered what he thought I’d be reborn as.

Frankenstein.

CHAPTER 18

Styx

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