Page 9 of Red

“Yes!” She urged and touched his arm. “Please, help me get out of here. Please.”

He frowned in the way a father did when one of his children disappointed him. But she didn’t get the feeling Erik was the disappointment.

“So, you clean the wound in the morning and rebandage it the way I’m going to show you.”

“Wait. No.” She pulled her hand back. “We need to go. I’ll get this bandaged later.” She cast another glance, but Erik wasn’t where he had been.

“Couldn’t help yourself, could you?” His deep voice came from behind her like an ax chopping her only lifeline.

She cast a pleading stare at Dr. Abbante, but he simply grinned at her and went about bandaging her wound.

“He already knew,” she said to herself while the doctor tore off the excess tape.

“Of course, I did.” Dr. Abbante patted her knee. “Now, take care of this the way I told you. I’ll offer you more advice, too. I wouldn’t rattle his cage too much.” He winked. “But a little poke here and there will keep him on his toes.”

“Thank you, Dr. Abbante. Nico will see to your payment downstairs.” Erik gestured toward the door, escorting the doctor halfway.

“You were testing me.” She raised her gaze to him as he stalked over to her.

“Yes. And you failed.” He picked up her hand and inspected the bandage. “Does it hurt?”

“No.” She lowered her eyes. She’d been stupid. Too hurried. She needed to get more information before acting so rashly.

“Good.” He retreated a step. “Get ready for bed.”

She peeked over at the king-sized, four-poster bed. Thick iron rings hung from the top and bottom of each post. What the hell were those for?

“I’m not— I can’t sleep here.”

“Why not? It’s a damn comfortable bed.” He put his hands on his hips, one finger slipped beneath a belt loop.

“This isn’t my home. I don’t want to be here.” She should have fought harder. She should have run from Grams’ house. Anything but walk to his damn car and let his goons drive her away.

Now, she was stuck in his house. In his room!

“Get ready for bed, Melinda. I’m not going to repeat myself. You’ve been shown all the generosity you’re going to get from me.”

That caught her attention.

“Generosity?”

“Yes. I’m not punishing you for your childish fit that resulted in a broken window. And I’m not going to punish you too hard for disobeying me just now with Dr. Abbante. I’ve been plenty generous, but I’m about done. Get ready for bed.”

“What do you mean, punish me too hard?” She stood from the chair, pulling it around her and placing it between them.

“Did you think it would go unpunished?”

She blinked. Her stomach rolled again.

“How…I mean…what are you going to do?”

His gaze wandered over her face. “Take off your clothes, Melinda.”

Her stomach dropped. “What?” Bravery was all fine and good until the brave one had to strip.

He let out a hard sigh. His patience was thinning; what would happen when it was gone?

“Remove your clothing, fold it, and put it on the dresser.”

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