Page 34 of Tied

She pauses, and her smart eyes scurry around the room, latching onto every corner as she seems to search for hidden cameras.

“Riley,” I say, tearing her attention back to me. She looks at me with one eyebrow arched, seemingly expecting an explanation I’m not willing to give.

“I need you to listen to me,” I begin to say—and she rolls her eyes.

“Yes, you need me to do a lot of things.”

“Watch it,” I hiss, and she flinches as I raise a finger in front of her face. “I’m not here to argue with you or deal with your tantrums.”

“I know,” she retorts, accompanied by a condescending smile. “You’re here to comfort me and make me feel all safe and warm, aren’t you?”

Startled at her words, I tilt my head to the side in question.

“Oh, Cain, how stupid do you think I am?” she taunts me. “It’s so obvious what you’re doing. You order those guys to be the assholes I fear, while you keep appearing at the most convenient times to be my knight in shining armor. This is so Psychology 101.”

She rolls her eyes again, and this time I really have to restrain myself from grabbing her and bending her over my knee. Of course, she understands what’s going on. I’m not surprised that Riley sees right through my tactics—but that doesn’t mean they won’t work on her.

“Did you think threatening the life of my sister wouldn’t be enough to make me play along with your stupid plan?” she spits at me now. “Or are you just hoping to gain my trust so you can keep using me as your little puppy, one who helps out whenever you need me to? How do I even know you’ll ever let me go once this is done?”

I clear my throat, trying to remain as calm as possible despite the rage that is tingling inside me.

“You have my word, Riley,” I promise. “You’re free to go after this is done, and I will never contact you again.”

Her face is hard to read right now. She doesn’t look relieved at my promise, but rather she appears to be… hurt?

“I can’t believe that,” she sighs. “How could you let me go after involving me in all of this? I know too much. What makes you think I won’t run to the police as soon as you let me go?”

“Because you love your sister,” I respond. “And her life will be in your hands. That won’t stop just because we’re done. If you send the police after me, she’s dead.”

Her face crumbles into a grimace of agony as she whispers, “This will never end, then.”

“It will if you let it.”

Riley swallows hard, slowly shaking her head.

“You’re tricking me,” she accuses. “How can I believe anything you say after what you did to me? You’re no better than those ugly thugs. No, actually, you’re worse!”

Tears are shimmering in her eyes when she looks at me now, anger charting deep lines on her pretty face.

“You’re a fucking monster,” she cries. “A monster playing nice just so I play along with his wishes. That’s just so fucking—”

“Okay, fine!” I interrupt, and she jerks back when I jump up from the bed. “I don’t have time for this. You don’t want me to be nice to you—fine, don’t eat then, smart ass!”

Her shocked gaze follows me as I gather up the tray from the bed and turn away to make my way to the door. I expect her to call after me because I know she must be hungry and that alone should motivate her to not act like a goddamn bitch in front of me.

But Riley doesn’t yell for me to stay. She doesn’t beg for me to come back like she did last time.

She just watches me leave the room, taking the food and water with me.

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