Page 6 of Ink

“Sorry, that’s not an acceptable answer.”

She wipes her nose with the sleeve of her sweater. “Look, I know you’re trying to be nice, but I have a house.”

“Do you like that house?”

She blinks up at me through tears and breaks down again. “No. I hate it. I mean, I liked it when we got it. I thought it was going to be ours, like we’d be a family, but…” She cries harder. “I’m so dumb!”

I thumb away her tears and sit on the bench next to her, pulling her into my space. I’ve never done this in my life, holding a woman I barely know. Usually, this is a place it takes years to get to for me. And despite the fact that Bunny is telling me she doesn’t need my help, I know she does. I like that. I like feeling needed.

“Look,” I hold her small hand in mine, “I wanna help you, but you have to let me.”

She clears her throat, wipes her tears on her shirt, and stands. “I don’t need your help. I can figure this out. Besides, your cabin is falling apart too. That’s why you’re here. And now, you’re supposed to be chasing a bounty, but you’re fixated on my whining ass. Really, I’m fine. I’m sorry about all this. I’m hormonal. It’s a thing.”

I grip her arm and spin her back into me. The move is smooth and gentle, and when her gaze is on mine, everything feels right. I don’t know how it doesn’t for her. “You’re not going home tonight, and I’m going to help you lock up. We’ll grab a few things in town if you need them and you’re coming back to my place. Yes, it’s not perfect, but it will be soon. And everything Dillon related, I’ll take care of.”

“Jesus. You say it like you’re going to murder him.”

I laugh. “Well, I’m not going to not murder him.”

“See… this is why I can’t do this. You’re insane.”

“Insane… or highly productive? That man is a menace to you and the baby.”

She walks toward the door and locks it for the night, before heading back to the register to tuck the cash into a zippered pouch. I stay quiet while she counts and jots the number down, then paces back to the safe to tuck it away. When she comes back with her purse and flicks off the light, I do something I’ve never done before.

I lift a woman up in my arms, carry her straight out the back door, and set her into my truck.

“What are you doing? You’ve lost your mind!” She kicks and shouts, desperate to escape, but I don’t give in. Nothing I’m doing is right, but I don’t care. I can’t sleep tonight, knowing my little bunny is out there without help.

Like it or not, you’re getting the protection you deserve.

Chapter Three

Lydia

Well, I didn’t see kidnapping going on my list of things that would happen today. I figured I’d go home, take a long hot shower, eat some frozen pizza, curl up on the couch, and fall asleep watching reruns of Paradise Island. I don’t know why I like that show so much, but I do. It’s not the hot bodies, though that does make things interesting. What I love the most is watching everyone fall in love. You can tell right away when a couple will work out, which reinforces the whole belief that love is chemistry, and natural chemistry is obvious. It’s obvious enough that I can pick up on it while I’m barely watching a reality TV show in between taking slices of a frozen pizza.

I drag in a deep breath and stare toward Ink. He’s in the kitchen doing something with his back to me. So far, he’s been a terrible kidnapper. No ropes, no chains, no nothing. To be honest, I could get up and leave whenever I want, and I’m not sure he’d have much say in the matter. Though, I bet he would simply pick me up again and return me to my spot.

I probably should view his whole display of power more terrifying, but instead I thought it was super fucking hot. In fact, I’ve been replaying the moment in my head since we left the hardware store. Who wouldn’t want a big, strong man muscling them up into their arms?

Me. The answer should probably be me.

I force myself to look away from the giant and instead study the cabin. It isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It’s an older place, and it clearly needs a little updating, but for the most part, it’s nice. The walls are freshly painted with dark green paint, the kitchen has been remodeled to reflect modern tastes, and from what I saw of the bathroom, it’s a work in progress. I won’t tell Ink any of this, though. He has to know that I’m currently ignoring him.

“Do you want coffee or tea?”

I roll my eyes. Who doesn’t know that a pregnant woman shouldn’t have caffeine? Maybe it’s decaf. I could really use a cup of something warm. I want to ask, but I’m angry.

“You’re calling in tomorrow. I want you here resting,” he grunts, handing me a cup of hot water with a decaf tea bag. “It’s Friday so you can give yourself a three-day weekend.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t work like that.” I hate that I’ve broken my vow of silence. “I have students who rely on me for, ya know, an education.”

“One day with a substitute isn’t going to hurt them, and you need to rest. You’re overwhelmed, over worked, and—”

“Maybe you missed the part about me being broke… because that’s a thing too.”

“They give you sick pay, and you’re using it.”

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