Page 32 of Red Captive

11

Steel

I pace up and down, looking at the clock. I’ll give her one more minute. Just one. What is taking so damned long?

I stop pacing for a second, thinking back on our earlier conversation. She was so sincere when she told me her story. It was like she didn’t want to tell me at all, which is completely at odds with a con artist. Fraudsterswantto tell us all about their difficult lives. About the father who died too young and the mother who didn’t care. There’s always a story, and it’s always sad as shit. Designed to make you feel sorry for the person and designed to make you buy into the con.

It’s a mistake. Always a mistake. Don’t buy into the bullshit.

A father who abandoned her. Then the stepdad dies suddenly, leaving the mother and baby brother. Not only that, the mother has major health problems, as well. It’s one hell of a story. She really laid it on thick, and in a way that was incredibly believable. Good thing I’m not gullible. That I’ve been taken for a ride before.

But Miss Harris took too long to answer when I asked her if she was sure about marrying for money. I don’t like that. It was a simple question. She looked like she panicked for a few seconds after I asked. Like it isn’t something she wants. Her explanation worked. Not the part about needing money for her family – I’m not buying that. But the part about it being a difficult decision and somewhat intimidating? She didn’t use that word exactly, but it is what she meant, and I found myself buying that. I don’t think she plans on marrying anyone. I think she plans on winning me over and then finding a way to escape the island.

It’s fucking clever. It’s all so calculated and what I would expect from a female like her.

It’s a pity it isn’t going to work. I look at the clock and realize that two minutes have gone by. We can’t be late.

I knock on the door. “We need to leave in the next minute.”

“Coming,” she calls out. A few seconds later, she walks out of the bedroom, and I almost swallow my damned tongue.

I know why it took so long. She looks fucking incredible.

Subtle makeup highlights her best features. Her big, blue eyes, high cheekbones, and those lush-as-fuck lips. The dress is…it’s elegant, sophisticated, and just plain works. It shows off her narrow waist and high tits. It hides everything else, hinting at how good she looks underneath there.

“Are you done gawping at me?” she asks, a hint of humor in her tone.

Fuck!

An amused smile plays on her lips.

“I’m checking for concealed weapons,” I lie through my teeth.

She laughs. It’s throaty and so damned sexy. “You should check yourself, then.” Her eyes drop to my crotch for a moment before moving back to lock with mine. She gives me a look.

My mouth twitches. Funny! I’m not falling for her bullshit, so I press my lips together instead. No smiling. No laughing and absolutely no flirting.

“We need to go,” I tell her, unlocking the door.

Miss Harris nods and walks forward, almost falling on her face. She squeals, going down.

I react, grabbing her by the upper arms and hauling her back to her feet.

“Thanks,” she mutters, sighing. “I don’t have much experience walking in heels like this. To think that these are the lowest pair I was given. I’ll have to practice walking in them.”

I realize that I’m still holding her arms and pretty much staring into her wide eyes, so I let her go.

“Be more careful,” I tell her in a gruff voice.

With a tiny nod, the human walks out into the hallway; she takes it slowly and carefully. I take her by the elbow as soon as we are in the hallway.

“Afraid I’ll run away?”

“I’m afraid you might fall and break your neck in those heels. We’re running late and need to pick up the pace. You’re almost as tall as I am in those things.” I glance down at her feet. They look damned good on her, but she clearly has zero experience in heels.

She giggles softly for a moment. “I don’t think so. You must be at least six foot five, maybe even six foot six.”

I huff out a breath that sounds too much like the start of a laugh for my liking. “Actually, I’m six foot eight.”

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