Page 39 of Curvy Hostage Mate
Trent nodded. “I’m looking forward to ending this.”
We marched through the streets. Some of the guards gave us strange glances, but none stopped us as we weaved through the crowd of men. No one stopped us, either, as we reached Cain’s palace. As if they had been expecting us, not unlike thefirst time we had been in the Underside. At the moment, I didn’t care. All my thoughts were on rescuing Morgan.
We entered a massive room with men lining either side, a sort of receiving room. Cain lounged on his literal throne as he watched us approach, an amused grin on his face. Kneeling next to the throne, staring straight at me, was Morgan. A chain ran from the gold collar around her throat to Cain’s hand. Her mouth was slightly parted in surprise, and something that might have been a mix of relief and fear.
Seeing her there, chained at Cain’s side while he watched, sent new shivers of revulsion and fury running through me.
“You’re earlier than I expected,” he said with a smirk. “And with more company than I expected.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” I said. “Hope we didn’t interrupt anything important.”
“No disappointment at all. In fact, I have to thank you gentlemen,” he drawled as we approached. “Here I thought I was going to have to hunt each of you down to kill you. Never in a million years would I have expected you to waltz in here and do the hard part for me.”
I came to a stop next to Declan. “Hand her over,” I said.
“Who?” Cain glanced around almost theatrically, then looked mildly surprised when he saw Morgan sitting at his feet. “Morgan? I can see why you would want her, but really, I’m afraid she’s not for sale.” He wound his hand around the chain, pulling it tighter so she had to lean toward him slightly. She barely seemed to notice as her gaze remained on me.
“You took her,” I said.
“Took? You’re certainly one to talk, considering you’re the one who kidnapped her. Besides,shecame to me.” He strokedher hair proprietarily, grinning as he kept his eyes locked on me. “It was honestly rather adorable, if a little pathetic. She tried to kill me. But all relationships have their bumps, eh?”
My fingers had curled into fists. I glared at Cain, wanting to tear out his throat. He surveyed me, his hand still caressing her head almost absentmindedly.
“You seem rather interested in my Morgan, though. Not that I can blame you. She really is enchanting. Part of it is all the insecurities. I just love a woman who doesn’t know their real value.”
I kept still even as my wolf howled and spat, wanting nothing more than to come out right then and there. That overwhelming instinct to protect Morgan surged forward, and it was all I could do to hold it in. I couldn’t react without thinking, not this time.
Cain was still talking. “And then there’s how demure she is. Such a timid little thing.” He grinned. “I can’t tell you all the things you can get timid girls to do. They’re so… pliable.”
His hand fisted in her hair, making her wince slightly, but she kept staring at me. I barely noticed. I was seeing red, and I didn’t know how much longer I could hold back.
“Take your hand off before I rip it off,” I snarled.
He didn’t, but he did pause, his hand cupping the back of her head as he finally seemed to take genuine interest.
“Why did you take her from me in the first place?’ he asked. “Surely it wasn’t just because of her sister. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so rash about the whole thing.”
I didn’t answer.
He threw his head back and laughed in delight. “You’re the father, aren’t you?” he jeered.
Though I was disturbed he’d discovered Morgan’s pregnancy, I didn’t answer; instead just kept my hands folded as I glared up at him.
That seemed to be proof enough for Cain. “I thought it might be. You seemed so protective of our dear Morgan when I came to visit you that I wondered if you carried a flame for her. Not to worry. I promise I’ll take good care of the baby when it’s born. Who knows? If it’s a boy, I might even raise him in the family business.”
Blinding rage surged through me even as I tried to keep my expression neutral. I stared up at him, jaw tight as I tried to bite back all my words. I wanted to attack him right then and there, but one wrong move, and I would end up dead. I couldn’t risk it. I had to get Morgan out of this without him trying to use her as a shield.
This entire time, Morgan had remained mostly impassive, not saying anything or trying to protest. I met her gaze and saw the steel in her eyes. One finger was tapping repeatedly on her right ring finger. She glanced down at her hands, then to the side at Cain, then at me, repeating the gesture.
I stared, still not fully understanding what she was getting at. She glanced to make sure Cain wasn’t looking, then mouthedfakeas she tapped her ring finger again while staring down at the ring on Cain’s finger.
Then it hit me. She had replaced Cain’s magic ring. He was vulnerable. I nearly threw my head back and laughed. This incredible, stubborn, tenacious woman.
“This is your last chance, Cain,” I said, trying to keep the triumph off my face. Just because he was no longer entirely invincible didn’t mean he was any less dangerous. I couldn’t give away what I now knew. “Surrender now, and I’ll spare your life.”
He cocked his head like a wolf as that patronizing smirk spread over his face yet again. “Do you really think you can defeat me?” he sneered. “Me, along with all of my men in this room?” He gestured around, pointing out the dozen guards surrounding us. I didn’t need reminding that we were outnumbered two-to-one. I had clocked that within a couple of minutes of strolling in here.
“You’re arrogant and prone to outbursts that make you reckless and vulnerable,” I said with an even tone, trying not to smirk as I saw my words clearly rankle him. “I’d say I definitely have a shot.”
