Page 37 of Ruthless Beast

“I’m starting to get an idea,” she snaps at me again, her eyes ablaze with rage and sarcasm.

“Okay, I deserve that.”

“You can’t keep me locked up in this box, Lucas. I need fresh air and sunlight.”

“I don't intend to keep you here. I wanted to talk to you first before I moved you. It’s important that you cooperate.”

“I have to know. Why do you care what happens to me anyway? I’m nothing to you. A stranger. What’s with the Big Brother act? What do you want from me?”

“I told you. I was very fond of David.”

“So, you’re doing this out of a misguided sense of loyalty to a man whose death you’re responsible for? Do you imagine that you’re going to redeem yourself by kidnapping and forcing me into a situation I didn’t ask for?”

“That’s a little harsh. Don’t you think?”

“Harsh! I think I’m more than justified in my assessment of the situation. Now, thank you very much forkeeping me safe,but I’d like to go now. I’m officially letting you off the babysitting hook. You’re not responsible for me.”

“Yes, I am. I know you’re not happy about this, but it is what it is.”

“It is what it is! How dare you? Let me out this instant! I’m not kidding around, Lucas. You let me out, or you’ll be sorry.”

I’d laugh if the situation wasn’t so serious. There’s no way Emily would do any physical damage to me. She’s so tiny compared to me that she couldn’t hurt me if she tried. Emotionally? Now, that’s a different story. I have no idea why I care so deeply for a woman I barely know, but I do.

“You're not thinking straight, Emily.”

“Oh, yes, I am!”

“Let me go, and you’ll never see me again. I’ll disappear. That way, you don’t have to work out your guilt over David anymore.”

“That’s not what this is,” I blurt out, regretting the words the moment they’re out.

“What do you mean?”

Enily stares at me for a while, and then the penny drops.

“Oh!” she mocks. “Oh, I see. You think there’s something between us. Ha! That’s ludicrous. We went out for one dinner, and we shared one kiss. In what universe do you imagine I would ever be with a man like you? Especially now that I know who you really are.”

Her words are cutting. Spiteful. Emily’s sentiment is clear. I’m scum, and she hates me.

“You’re not going anywhere,” I say as I get up and head for the door.

“Lucas!” Emily shouts out in frustration.

I keep walking.

Out of nowhere, she rushes me and starts beating my back with her fists.

“No! You can’t do this to me,” she yells.

I swing around and grab her by the wrists. I don’t hurt her, but she tries violently to break free from my grip.

“Let me go, you bastard!”

“Not until you calm down,” I order, but Emily is like a bull rushing the red flag.

I pull her in closer to get a better grip on her. Her body is right against mine, and I’m aware of every one of her beautiful curves.

“Stop it,” I insist, but she is too mad to hear me.

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