Page 44 of Ruthless Beast

I jump at the sudden voice behind me. It’s Lucas.

“Geez! Didn’t your mother teach you that it’s rude to sneak up on people?”

“I’m sorry. I thought you would have heard me coming.”

“Where the hell have you been?” I snap at him without thinking first.

“It’s good to see you too.”

“That’s not funny, Lucas.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, I haven’t seen you in a while. I had things to take care of. Are you okay?”

“No. I’m a hostage. How is that okay?”

“You’re not a hostage, Emily. You’re a houseguest.”

“Oh, really? I don’t lock the doors when I have houseguests. We must have different interpretations of the word.”

“Is that David?” Lucas asks, pointing to a canvas on an easel nearest to the window.

“Yes.”

“It captures him perfectly. You’re very talented, Emily.”

Lucas’ compliment takes me by surprise. And now I’m annoyed because the painting was supposed to serve as a reminder to him of his misdeed rather than garner his admiration for the artist.

“David had such kind eyes.”

“A fat lot of good it did him,” I retaliate.

“Are you okay, Emily?”

Why is this man being so nice to me? What does he want?

“Do the clothes fit?” he asks, changing tactics when I don’t answer his previous question.

“Yeah.”

“The kitchen downstairs is state of the art. Would you prefer preparing your own meals? Or my chef can do it for you. Feel free to write up a list of items you need, and I’ll see to it that you have them.”

“So, I’m here for the long haul.”

“I’m sorry, Emily. But, yes. You’re safe here with me until I find the man who killed your brother. After that, you are welcome to leave.”

“What if you never find him?”

“Oh, I’ll find him. I promise you that much.”

“What will you do to him when you do?”

“You let me worry about that.”

“More bloodshed.”

“I don’t expect you to understand the way things work in my world, Emily. Just know that I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep you from harm.”

“Against my will.”

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