Page 16 of Trapped By Vengeance

“Idowant vengeance. I want you on your knees begging for my forgiveness and my kiss.” Valda doesn’t turn to face me, preferring to hang by my ear, one finger still playing with my hair that is no longer held back by its band. “I should warn you that I’m very good at getting what I want. And I’ll make youlikeit.”

Despite the lull of her words, I’m shaking my head. “I want my own vengeance . . .”

Valda’s fingers wrap around my neck. “Against my father? I understand that. He is not . . . the kindest of men.”

Grunting, I try to recoil. The distance I succeed in earning between us is minimal. “Your father is more than justunkind.He’s the reason my family is dead!”

She grasps my face and tilts it to finally face her. There are layers to the darkness in her eyes. Sorrow, determination, regret, and . . . desire. “Then take his family from him. You don’t want a ransom— you wantrevenge.” Her fingers drop from my hair to press against my chest, just over my heartbeat. “So run away with me.”

What would it be like to have a woman like Valda by my side? I’m not foolish enough to think there is any love between us since we’ve known each other barely two days and she was my captive one of them. But it couldbecomelove. It could be a partnership of equals. I could not be alone again.

I close my eyes as Valda’s hand other caresses my face, her silk-covered fingers playing with my beard. And I make myself remember.

I’m not alone. And adding one more person to my company for me to provide for— one with as expensive tastes as a Baroness such as Valda— would not help our financial situation. And Eloise deserves a dress.

“I-I can’t.” Gently gripping Vadla’s wrists, I push them away as I step back.

When I open my eyes, there is shock and a flash of rage in Valda’s gaze before she quickly covers it with a more sensuous pout than before. “Are you sure? We could be so good together . . .” She steps toward me, her hips swaying in a way I was not meant to ignore.

My Guild master’s words echo in my head, and I can practically see him shaking his head in disappointment. “The job mustalways be impersonal. The moment emotions get involved, you’re through.”

“I’m quite sure.” I clear my throat. “You see, it’s not just about the vengeance . . .” I back toward the door, gripping the handle. “It’s about the money, too.”

With that, I swing the door shut and put the bolt in place just as the handle rattles. “You have the worst code of chivalry I have ever come across!”

“You certainly have a way with the ladies, Captain.”

Turning, I find one of the Klepper twins scowling at me.

“Yes, well . . .” I rake a slightly shaking hand through my tangled locks. “It’s my animal magnetism. Women love a noble rogue.”

“I’ll run you through with a stake, you heartless monster!” Valda shrieks at the other side.

Klepper glances between the door and me. “I see.”

“Was there a reason you came by? Or was it just to chaperone? Which is completely understandable. She is a bit overeager—”

The door rattles, and I take a sliding step away from it.

Klepper crosses his arms. “The pigeon has returned.”

Chapter Eight

Captor and Captive

Valda:

Since I have no intention of wearing a mercenary’s cast-offs, I don my coral gown again. It won’t be fit for rags by the time this unfortunate chapter of my life is behind me, but it will do for now.

I have an eternity to recover from the travesty of so many wrinkles in my favorite gown. What I will never forgive, though, is a male’s rebuff of my kiss— twice!

Pacing back and forth, I do my best to redirect my rage into focus. I obviously need to formulate a new strategy. But to do that, I need to determine where I went wrong.

Even if I did not have unnatural power in my kiss, even if I were a normal woman, he still should have leaped at the chance to do as I demanded!

I am not naïve concerning the way men look at me, including this one. Granted, he does not leer like most of the other creatures on this ship. But I can make his ears red when I bat my lashes, so I know his desire is not the issue— his resolve is.

With a groan, I reapply my perfume. Then I take the comb I found in the chest with Konrad’s garments through my hair. He recoiled from the first kiss because he had ignoble intentionsand did not want to compound guilt upon guilt. Otherwise, there was pleasantly surprised delight in the way he gently held me the first night, like he wasn’t sure if I was a delusion even though I felt like a real woman. And my tricks for controlling men were all properly employed. With a bold kiss, I drew him in. With a demure glance, I kept him from considering ill intent.

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