Page 115 of Ruthless Oath

“That’s not an option.” He drove around a lake and down a dirt road. “Did you beg Marchello to take you home when you were with him? Did you care that your mother was so distraught she had to be medicated?”

“Is she okay?”

“Don’t act concerned now.” He shook his head. “Your father has moved her back into the main house where he can keep an eye on her.”

“My mother moved in with my father?”

That wasn’t a good sign. They despised one another. If there were ever two people who should not be together, it was them. They were the very definition of toxic.

“Your dad felt that since she was so worried about you, she might do something idiotic. He moved her in to protect her from herself.”

“I need to speak to her and let her know I’m okay.” That wasn’t exactly true. I was fine when I was with Marchello, but now I had created a big mess. “You have to let me talk to her.”

“I don’t have to let you do anything.” Danny stopped the car in front of a cabin. “Your father has things under control. Your mother knows we have you and you’re no longer in the enemy camp.”

I’m not so sure about that.

“A few days out here in the woods with me will do you some good.” He turned to face me, reaching for my hand.

I retreated.

“You’re going to have to stop doing that,” he said.

“I don’t want you to touch me.”

“I’m going to allow you to act out today. I’m sure all of this has been extremely stressful. You were kidnapped and separated from your family.”

“That still seems to be the case.” I took inventory of the cabin and my new surroundings. “I’m being held against my will.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you that your family knows where you are.” He opened the car door with an aggressive shove. “Your father wouldn’t have sent me to retrieve you if he didn’t think you would be safe with me.”

“My father who is forcing me into an arranged marriage and holding my mother hostage?”

“Enough with the drama.” He motioned toward the cabin. “We’re going inside. I don’t want any trouble from you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Of course, the first chance I got, I would run. But I needed a minute to figure things out. No phone, no money, no credit cards. Marchello had taken everything from my bag when we first arrived at the safe house. He made sure I couldn’t access the world beyond his doors.

“I’m serious. Don’t make me use this.” Danny lifted his shirt to remind me where his gun was. Like I could forget.

“You wouldn’t.”

“You don’t think so?”

“My father would kill you.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “In a heartbeat.”

“I can handle your father.” He got out of the car, slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows, and came around to the passenger side.

I moved away from the door so he could open it.

“Let’s go.” He extended his hand to me.

I refused it and got out of the car myself.

“Are you always this defiant?” he asked.

You haven’t seen anything yet.

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