Page 53 of Red Captive

“Take that back. Take it back right now. It didnotsuck. You should read the books. They were amazing. Although, I liked the movies just fine. Did you watch them all? How can you even say that?”

“No, I didn’t watch them all.” I shake my head. “Not my vibe.”

“Hot sex isn’t your vibe?” she asks. “Is that what you’re saying?”

“All the spanking wasn’t my thing…okay? That’s all.” I would prefer to talk about something else, anything else.

“No, that’s not okay. You threatened to spank me when we first met. Have you forgotten about that?”

“I threatened you with an actual spanking, not spanking of a sexual nature,” I set the record straight.

“I didn’t know there was a difference. You’ll have to explain that to me, please. I want details. In fact, I would love for you to write down the differences between actual spanking and spanking of a sexual nature.” She’s grinning.

“Stop.” I laugh under my breath.

“Oh, my god.” She grabs her chest and looks up at the sky. “We’re going to have a blizzard. We’re going to end up buried under ten feet of snow.”

My chest shakes with another laugh, but I work to hold it back.

“Twenty feet of powder is coming our way. Get your coat and your snow boots out,” she says, grinning. “You’re laughing and smiling.” She makes a face. “How is it that you’re still hot when you smile? That’s not even fair.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I’m still smiling. I should stop now, but it feels good. Better than good. It feels great,actually. It’s been so long since I smiled and meant it. “And it can’t snow on this island because we’re too close to the equator. It’s over a hundred degrees out there.”

“It’s nice to see you smile. That’s all. Anyway, they agreed to give my family a ten thousand dollar advance if I agreed to sign a contract. I asked for a few changes to the document.”

“Did they agree to all the changes?”

“Most of them. All but one, but they’re not going to add it right away. I have to take the general’s word that he will help to get my family to Mistveil.”

“You want them to come here?” I frown.

She levels me with a look. “You don’t even believe in their existence.”

I turn into the basement, heading for the underground parking beneath the castle. I maneuver into our assigned spot. “I’m not sure what to believe, Jen. I want to believe you. I’m…” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, but I… It’s tough for me, okay?”

One of the SUVs parks next to us. I fucking hate having a shadow, but it is what it is.

“Because someone hurt you. Some woman hurt you really badly. Someone you may have cared for deeply. You trusted her, and she lied to you, and someone died.”

Jen is a smart female. I’ll give her that. I nod. I don’t elaborate.

“Now you have a hard time trusting others. Am I warm? Hot, even?”

“Yes, but it isn’t something I want to get into with you. It’s not personal, Jen. I need to do my job, keep you safe, get you to your mating ceremony and into your new mate’s care. That’s where this ends. It has to.” The air suddenly feels a little charged. The basement, although lit, isn’t as bright as it was outside, and in the confines of the vehicle, it suddenly feels like too much. Jenis looking at me. There isn’t much space between us. It feels hot inside the SUV.

Thankfully, there are eyes on us.

“Let’s get you inside,” I say, getting out of the car. I go around and open her door.

Jen slides out. “Yep. Of course. I mean, you know I’m just teasing you, right? I mean about the snow and your smile and all of that.”

I nod. What felt like teasing before doesn’t feel like teasing anymore. I’m not sure what changed. When did I stop getting irritated and frustrated with this female? When did I start leaning toward believing her story about a family that needs her?

Ihavestarted to believe her, and it scares the living shit out of me. What if she’s lying? She could be. It doesn’t matter either way. I need to do my job. I need to stay focused.

“I know you don’t mean it when you’re teasing me…of course.” I nod. “We’re still not friends, Jen.”

I see her eyes cloud with hurt, but I ignore it. I have to. I have to do my job. If I don’t, she could get hurt. Someone innocent could end up in the crossfire. I can’t let that happen. I won’t.

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