Page 36 of Red Captive

While his attention is outside of the vehicle, I take the opportunity to really look at him. He looks incredible in that suit. It fits him like a second skin, pulled tight across his back and broad shoulders. His thighs are thick and meaty.

“Why are you staring at me, Miss Harris?” He turns to face me, and for a second or two, the air seems to thin. His eyes bore into me. They’re so dark, like thick, melted chocolate, and fanned by long lashes. His jaw is masculine and covered in a light stubble.

“It’s weird to see you in a suit, that’s all. You look…good.”

“I’m not one of the twelve men you will get to choose from. I don’t have a cent to my name. I’m a nobody. You would do better to look somewhere else.” His gaze moves back outside.

I bristle. He’s such an asshole. I roll my eyes. “You can relax; I’m not interested in you at all. I like men who are kind and fun. You’re…like a freaking storm cloud all the time. You are the direct opposite of those two things, so not my type at all.”

He doesn’t look my way or respond, which is infuriating. We drive in silence for a minute or two.

“You seemed shocked when the count talked about having children right away,” he blurts from out of nowhere. “Why is that?”

“It’s because Iwasshocked. I was clear during my negotiations with the general that I wanted to wait at least a year before trying for kids. Yet, he hasn’t seemed to convey this to the candidates. At least, the count wasn’t aware. I will need to ask him about that and about the number of children I’m willing to have. Five or six?” I shake my head. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”

“What difference does it make when you have them?”

“I’m only twenty-four. I’m young. Also, I want to get to know my future husband first.” Just saying it has bile rising in my throat. I can do this. The count wasn’t so bad. He really wasn’t. Steel was right about him being stuck up his own ass and boring as anything, but at least he was nice. That’s one of the two qualities I look for in a man. One is better than none.

“You don’t want to get married at all, do you?”

“I’m fine with marriage, but I really want to wait when it comes to kids.” I feel my stomach knot, and my insides twist at the thought of getting pregnant. I can’t do it more than once. Even then, it’s risky. Twice would be my top. I don’t know if I can do it.

“You look like you’re afraid, which doesn’t make sense.” He narrows his eyes, looking at me. “Are you afraid of ruining your figure?”

I give him a hard stare.Is he for real?“No, it has nothing to do with that. I’m not that shallow. Let’s just say that my mother’s health problems started right after she had my little brother. There was a correlation between the two. One that can be hereditary. I’m too young and too… I worry, that’s all.” I sigh again, realizing that I’m wringing my hands together, and stop, forcing myself to open them on my thighs instead. I force the tension in my shoulders to ease.

“Did you say that your brother was younger than you?”

I frown. “Much younger. My mom had him when she was thirty-nine. They called it a geriatric pregnancy; can you believe that?” I smile, but Steel doesn’t reciprocate. His face remains stoic.

“How old is he now? Your brother.”

I already told Steel this. He doesn’t seem like the type to forget. “He’s six. I missed his birthday.” My heart feels heavy just thinking about my family. I miss them so much.

“When did you say your stepfather died? How old was your brother when it happened?”

I’m not sure why I’m getting all these questions. It feels a little like an interrogation rather than a conversation. “His name is Caleb, and he was three when Trevor died.”

“What caused your stepfather’s death?” He lifts his eyes in thought. “An aneurysm, right? It was sudden, and he died instantly.”

What the hell is this?

I already told Steel how Trevor passed away. “He died suddenly, but it was a heart attack, not an aneurysm. He died in the shower, just fell down dead. Are you trying to catch me out in a lie? Do you think I’m lying, Steel?”

“I don’t know what to think. I don’t know you. I certainly don’t trust you.”

That much is apparent. “So, you thought you’d try to poke holes in my story. You think it’s some fabrication designed to do what, exactly? Why would I lie to you?” I want to hurt him because I’m feeling a little hurt myself. “Like you said yourself, you’re a nobody. A nothing. What possible advantage would I get from lying about something like that?”

“I don’t know. You tell me, Miss Harris.”

What the fuck!?

“Really. I can’t believe you. I don’t know why I told you any of that. Actually, I do. I told you because you asked me. Why did you ask me if you weren’t going to believe a word I said?”

“I shouldn’t have. It isn’t important for me to do my job.”

“Namely, to hold me captive on this island until I’m married off, when all I want is to go home.” My voice hitches.

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