Page 21 of Suspicion

Thin Ice

Tucker

“Property?” Her voice was a low hiss, the crease appearing in her brow evidence of either her confusion or disgust.

Probably both.

He might have smiled at her expression had he not already been weary from carrying her for miles, hungry, and no closer to enjoying a meal.

I should have thought about this before I agreed to Bennett’s terms. His fist tightened around the rope in his hands. Should have known she’d be more trouble than she was worth.

“Who the hell are you calling your property?”

“Let’s not play this game.” He was definitely too tired. “I guarantee you’ll lose.”

“Is that what this is to you?” Her breathing was erratic as she retreated to the door. “A game? This is my life, Tucker, and between you and my asshole father, you’ve reduced it to this!” She thrust her bound wrists in front of her face, anger radiating from her in waves so potent, he swore he could feel them.

“I don’t want to talk now.” He didn’t want to talk at all. Tucker was used to a simple and solitary existence. The idea of making small talk in front of the fire was hideous.

“Nor do I.” Her long eyelashes shielded what looked like angry tears. “I want to go home!”

“You will.” Standing there, he couldn’t wait for the day Bennett paid up, and he could release his wildcat daughter. “Once your father pays me what he owes.”

“No.” She blinked the water in her eyes away and pressed her back into the door.

“No?” He might have warmed to her petulant routine had he already enjoyed a hot meal and could relax by the fire with her at his feet. As it was, though, the pretty little blonde was skating on thin ice.

“No.” Her tone was emphatic. “Not when it suits you. Now!”

“Now?” Blowing out a breath, his gaze flitted to the window and took in the encroaching darkness. Was the woman a moron? Couldn’t she see that dusk was falling?

Even if he wanted rid of her, he wouldn’t cast her out to the wilderness in the night. If exposure didn’t provoke pneumonia, then one of the natives would finish her off. Either way, she’d be dead before dawn.

“You can’t leave now.” Why was he even discussing this? “I told you I’m going out for water, so you need to settle down.”

“And I told you, no!” She leaned forward, jabbing one finger of her fettered wrists in his direction. “I’ve had enough, and you’re going to let me go.”

“Is that right?” Tucker had endured just about enough of this shit. He didn’t like to harm women and hadn’t planned to subjugate her quite so thoroughly on their first evening together, but she was leaving him little choice.

Clearly, she had itchy feet and would run at the first opportunity she got. He had to restrain her, and in doing so, he would reiterate the most valuable lesson she could learn while they were forced together—who was in charge.

“You want to leave?” He edged closer, using his height and body weight to push her gently against the wood. “Run out there into the night with your hands bound and never look back?”

“No, actually.” Attempting to stand her ground, she tried to shove him back. “I’d rather you cut my binds first.”

“Right.” He had no choice but to laugh that time. He bet she’d like him to release her first… not that it would do much to increase her chances of staying alive out there.

“What’s so funny?” Her gaze narrowed as she craned her head to see him.

“Nothing.”

He was right. Ella wasn’t funny. If she thought she could survive out there without him, she was delusional, and while he’d rather have the enormous wad of cash Bennett owed him, she was still the closest thing he had to his money.

She had to endure.

“If that’s what you want.” He shrugged, perhaps a little too theatrically, as he threw the ropes over his left shoulder and delved into his pocket for the key to the front door. “Then fine.” Withdrawing, he ushered her to one side as he slid the key into the lock.

“What?” She glanced left and right, as though she thought the door unlocking was a trick, but she couldn’t deny what her eyes and ears told her. Slipping the key back into his pocket, he reached for the bolt and moved it aside. “You’re actually going to let me go?”

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