Page 171 of Tell Me Lies

He straightened. “Hungry?”

“Uh. Yes, I guess so. I have to pee first. Oh my God, why did I say that?”

A ghost of a smile graced his mouth. He walked over to her shackle and unlocked it. “All right. After you’re done, come into the kitchen.”

Marnie’s mouth fell open in shock. He turned and left her alone, and if she didn’t need to pee so badly, she’d have tried going out the damn window. As she did her business and washed her hands, she thought about Mr. Psycho. Something had changed in him. His gaze no longer stared at her with contempt. The ice had thawed.

Marnie stared in the mirror, and the reflection staring back at her showed a woman who was tired and stressed out. Dark circles encased both eyes and her forehead creased in worry. Did she always look like that, or was it only since she’d been kidnapped?

She walked down the hall, coming to an open floor plan with the living room on the left and a large kitchen and dining room on the right. Windows stretched from floor to ceiling, with a breathtaking view of the forest rolling out in front.

“Do you like eggs?”

His question startled her. “Um, yes. Any way is fine.”

The scent of bacon made her stomach rumble since the only thing she’d had to eat was the bread he’d provided last night.

“My name is Reece,” he said quietly.

She walked around the island and glanced at the front door.

“You’d die of exposure before you found anyone to help,” he said.

She wasn’t sure of his game, but she had to be ready to run at the first opportunity. “You untied me.”

“I did,” he replied. The bacon was done and he transferred it to a plate lined with a paper towel. Then he turned to get eggs from the fridge and cracked them into the hot grease.

“I’m not going to try to escape.”

It was a total lie. Of course she was going to try to escape.

He gestured to a stool pulled up to the island. “Have a seat. Coffee?”

“Please. Black is fine.”

A yawn erupted as she sat down, and he slid over a mug. She inhaled the rich flavor of the coffee before taking a sip. They didn’t talk as he continued to cook breakfast, eventually placing a plate down in front of her. He studied her intently, as if seeing her for the first time, and unease slithered through her.

“Did you spike my coffee with a laxative?”

“No, but that’s not a bad idea. I’ll keep that in mind for the next woman I kidnap.”

Shock poured through her and she took a step back.

“Relax,” he said with a grin. “I was kidding.”

“You’re such a funny man.” Her tone suggested otherwise.

“Yet you’re not laughing.”

“I am on the inside.”

He smirked and piled the food onto two plates. Instead of sitting, however, he remained standing, keeping the island between them. They ate in silence, but all the angry vibes that had been emanating from him seemed to be gone. In his eyes was a weary resignation.

When they were finished, he picked up the plates and utensils before placing them in the dishwasher.

“Please don’t make me go back into the bedroom. It’s very boring in there.”

“Okay.”

---