Page 29 of Organized Chaos
“Could we request a rush order for the battery—”
“We are in a remote village, Maya,” I sneered, the mocking voice insinuating she was foolish for suggesting it. “Not exactly known for its reliable access to resources.”
Maya flinched, though still chock full of dejected hope. “Then let’s take the train.”
“I can’t leave my rental car in Italy,” I snapped. Every time she suggested an alternate option, my mind was overwhelmed with this need to hurt her. “I’m liable for returning it to the same location.”
Maya tensely twisted her hands, demoralized, lips trembling. “Okay, I guess I can take the train back on my own.”
That was the comment to break the camel’s back. Her eagerness, begging for a way out, was damn irritating. Downright fucked up. She was so desperate to get away that she’d leave me behind even though we came here together.
I clenched my teeth to grit out, “There are no train stations in a hundred-mile radius.”
Maya stilled, watching me with an unreadable expression. It appeared as if a crucial detail had clicked for her.
“Yesterday, we were together all day... and all night.” Her voice was low, thick with doubt. “Are you sure you had the time to inspect that car properly?”
Could misleading someone be considered kidnapping?
Technically, I wasn’t holding her hostage, simply misinforming her, though I got the distinct impression that Maya didn’t believe a single word out of my mouth anymore.
I had been so wary of gaining a reputation as a womanizer in front of my colleagues that I forgot to worry about becoming a kidnapper. In all fairness, I wasn’t cognizant of the risk of abduction being added to my LinkedIn profile under skill sets.
“Maya, I run a multimillion-dollar company that I need to get back to... might I add even more so than a college student attending orientation. Do you honestly think I’d propose extending our stay if I weren’t absolutely positive it’d be unsafe to drive back?”
Although Maya was on to me, she would have to verify the facts to call my bluff. She didn’t poke more holes in my story. Instead, she attempted to dig up sympathy for her cause.
“Brandon, I have a lot to lose if I don’t report to the first day of classes.” It was barely a whisper, forced agonizingly out of her lips.
I closed my eyes. “Look, at this point, all I can do to help is change your ticket. I should have cell service when I take the car into town if you want to give me the details.”
“Rescheduling isn’t an option for me,” Maya said stubbornly.
“Then there is nothing more I can do for you.”
“There is,” she argued without missing a beat. “Drive me to a mechanic so we can ask for their professional opinion.”
Appalled—that’s the face I made at her with my jaw slightly hanging down—a look to indicate pure outrage.
“I get it.” My voice was perfectly calm. “You think I made it up to do what... hang around your precious self for a few extra days?” I barked out a hollow laugh that was equal parts cruel. “Don’t flatter yourself. I can have any woman on earth without jeopardizing my business or resorting to such antics.”
“If that’s the case, then why are you trying so hard to keep me here?”
“I’m not trying to keep you here,” I hissed. “I’ll get the damn car fixed. Until then, I don’t want to keep having the same discussion because there is nothing more I can do. You’ve clearly been sheltered your whole life and don’t know how to deal with unexpected predicaments. Sometimes shit happens that’s out of our control. It’s part of life, so get a goddamn grip on yourself.”
The way her expressions flared at my assessment of her life convinced me that I had hit the bull’s eye. Maya seemed to exercise excessive restraint to suppress the urge to scream. She hadn’t displayed such fury up to this point. It was strangely beautiful.
For an astounding second, I forgot my footing.
“Go to hell, Brandon!” she bellowed. “I’m leaving, even if I have to walk back to Nice. I’m sure I’ll find another man who’ll be happy to—”
I grabbed her hands and slammed her back against the wall, pinning her wrists to the sides of her head. The raw emotions had elevated, spilling into my senses like lava pouring freely to clog all rational judgment.
She had referred to another man. If she had completed that sentence... The fury had me seeing the world in various shades of red.
“What the hell are you doing?” she screeched, stunned by my actions.
That made two of us.
