Page 55 of Captive of Outlaws

“Well...yeah,” I say. “The mysterious source of all this money, and...god, I don’t know, whyelsewould you be keeping me here? Giving me stuff, making me food, taking such good care of me like I’m an action figure you need to keep in mint condition? That’s an awful lot for a girl with nothing to offer in return.”

“You are fixing the cars,” Tuck points out.

I roll my eyes. “Okay, fine.” Thatwasmy idea, so I can’t deny that. “But still. Beyond that. There’s literally nothing special about me besides my value as a...hostage.”

The three of them look at each other.

Will speaks first. “Is it so hard to believe that we care about your wellbeing, Maren?”

I chew my lip, considering.

Yes, I want to scream. Yes, it is! Because you’re strangers, and I’m a stranger, and how could you so immediately decide that you want to just lavish gifts on me and let me share your food and wine, live in this house, justbe hereandexistwithout an ulterior motive?

But I don’t scream any of that. I don’t scream at all.

Instead, I think of my father. Of everything he taught me, of the few precious scraps of wisdom I got from him before he was ripped out of my life.

“Nothing comes for free in this world,” I say softly. “Nothing.”

The look on their faces is enough to break my heart. It’s like I’ve personally insulted each of their mothers and spat in their faces to boot.

“You really think that?” Rob says.

“I...”

Of course I do.

It makes sense.

But...do I? I’ve heard it so many times,thoughtit so many times that I’ve never even paused to question whether it’s true. WhetherI feelit’s true.

“Come on, Maren,” Tuck says. “It’s not all dog-eat-dog out there. Take it from me.”

At that, Will snorts a laugh that he quickly stifles. Instead, he smiles gently at me. “You’ve been burned before. That’s hard to get through—take that fromme.”

“Yeah,” I say.

“There are still some generous people left in this world, Maren.” Rob says. “All we want to do is prove that to you.” He steps forward, tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “But you have to let us.”

I don’t know what to say to that, but I don’t really get a chance.

“This is all so damn intense,” Will gripes, getting to his feet. “I think I’m getting an ulcer.”

“You’re always getting an ulcer,” Tuck says.

Rob drops his hand from me and gives them a sharp nod.

“You know what? You’re right. We need to blow off some steam.” His eyes dart back to me. “You included, pretty lady.”

I stuff my hands in my pockets awkwardly. “Sure, I guess.” I lift an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”

Rob grins. “Have you ever shot a crossbow before?”

“STEADY THERE. EASYdoes it.”

Rob smirks as he grips my arms, posing me into place. “This isn’t your granddaddy’s old bow and arrow, okay? This bad boy’s got some serious firepower.” He tips his head up a bit and calls down the archery range, to where Tuck and Will are returning with more drinks. “Boys? I’d duck if I were you.”

“Ha ha ha,” I say drily.

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