Page 5 of Seduction in Blood
The men gently settled the box thirty feet from the dais.
"Remus," Sorrento called out. "It's good to see you again, old friend."
Yep. Remus. I was in big trouble if the stories I'd heard were true. Nothing that I wanted to remember now. My bladder was too full for this nonsense.
"That remains to be seen." The man's voice was strong, but he didn't appear to hold any malice toward Sorrento. He sounded bored.
Maybe killing all those people in horrific ways had become a dull sport for him. I was just one more to add to his list.Stop it, Cressa.Yep, I was going crazy. At this rate, my first words outside this box were probably going to get me killed, so why wonder what happens next?
"I'd heard you were looking for someone. Someone special." Sorrento paused as he moved to stand next to the box. He was too close for me to see his face, but I recognized the pistol he wore at his side. It was a vintage Colt, and I'd once thought of stealing it until I considered the consequences. I hadn't learned any lessons where Sorrento was concerned.
"What do you have for me?" The man's tone had changed to one of interest. I wondered if he was the type that opened his presents slowly, taking care not to rip the pretty paper. He probably just grabbed an edge and shred the paper in his haste to find his prize. What interesting things people thought about when stuck in a box, waiting to be let out—or killed.
"Something that might clear my debt to you."
I was being traded off. A brand new hell waited for me.
I peered through the vent at Remus. He was no longer leaning back but had perched on the edge of his seat. Did he just lick his lips? Maybe I was dinner. And considering who this man was, that wasn't too much of a stretch.
"Could it be?" Remus stood, rubbing his hands together, but he didn't leave the dais. The two men by his side hadn't moved, but one brought out a notepad and started scribbling in it.
Someone, probably Sorrento, knocked on the box twice. "Open it up."
The poles slid from their brackets and were placed gently on the floor. No one wanted to irritate Remus by showing disrespect. Locks were opened, and more metal slid as the top of the box was removed. Fresh air rushed in. I squinted at the increased light before hands reached in and pulled me up. I wobbled for a few seconds before gaining my footing. Sorrento's men helped me out of the box and positioned me in front of it. They held onto my arms until Sorrento waved them away.
I made a quick assessment of the reception room. Besides Sorrento, his men, and the three on the dais, six other men were positioned around the room.
I glared at Sorrento before turning my attention to the man in charge.
Out of the corner of my eye, Sorrento straightened while tugging on his pants. "May I present Pandora."
Remus's eyes grew large as he stared at me, giving me a once-over that was at first curious, then lustful, before fortunately settling on shrewd. He stepped down from the dais and walked toward me, never taking his eyes from me as he continued his perusal. Perhaps assessing my value? When he circled me, checking me from all angles, I followed his movements, partially turning when he moved behind me. Based on his slight grin, my reaction seemed to amuse him.
"How can I be assured this is Pandora?" Remus moved in front of me and lifted my chin. I batted away his arm. He smiled, showing his teeth, and I had to force myself not to back up a step. "Feisty. I like that. But I'm not sure if that will work for what I have in mind."
"I can assure you this is Pandora. She's been in my debt for the last three years, and she's the best thief I've seen. Her reputation is valid."
I didn't like where this was going, and I had no idea why Remus would be looking for me. Unless I had unwittingly stolen something from him. Maybe he had a job for me. If it was the latter, all they had to do was ask. Anything to pay off my debt.
"She'll be a handy addition to your pack." Sorrento's salesmanship could use some work.
Would I be a thief or a toy?
Remus continued to assess me, his gaze shiny with possibilities, but then his expression changed as he let out a breath, his shoulders slumping. "Unfortunately, I also owe favors. But she'll do nicely in crossing one inconvenient debt off my list."
For fuck's sake, Remus was just a broker for a bigger deal. I wasn't property to be traded around like someone's prize mare. Maybe that wasn't the best analogy, considering the circumstances.
"She can be a bit problematic and should probably be kept in chains." Sorrento eyed me with a grin I'd like to knock off his face. "Or the box."
Asshole.
Remus turned on Sorrento with a speed that surprised me. "I gave you a pass for presenting her in the box. You know my feelings where catch boxes are concerned. You'll take that atrocity out of my sight when you leave." He glanced at his men. "It's making the wolves chafe."
Sorrento paled and motioned to his men, who replaced the lid, slid the poles into place, and moved the box outside the door. He bowed his head. "I'm sorry. It was the only thing I felt was safe enough to transport her."
Remus laughed, deep and hearty. "So, your four beefy men can't handle this slip of a girl." His men laughed with him, but they watched me with menace, or perhaps hunger, in their eyes. Remus turned back to the men on the dais. "Mark Sorrento's debt paid."
He turned to Sorrento. "But if she proves not to be Pandora."
