“Why not?” He smirked. “I, for one, think this is quite the fun adventure already.”
“Who the hell are you?” I asked, my earlier confusion now a cold panic that had my pulse racing faster. “You say you’re not a bandit, fine, but why kidnap me? As you saw, I don’t have anything of value other than the necklace, which you’ve already freaking stolen. So why are you—”
“By the gods, I should’ve strengthened that sleeping dust to ensure you stayed asleep for the entire trip.”
“If you want to escape my mouth, let me go.”
“Sorry, no can do,” he said, mocking my words from earlier. “You and I are travel buddies for the foreseeable future. Do us both a favor and be quiet.”
“Let me go or I’ll start screaming.”
A dangerous gleam shone in his topaz eyes. “Try it and see what happens. But take my word. You won’t like it.”
“Will you gag me?”
“Why gag you when I can just cut out your tongue?” The man patted the dagger at his hip.
I cringed. “Seems like a lot of extra work. Gagging me is faster and not nearly as messy.”
“Maybe I like things a little messy.”
Okay, this guy was a damn psychopath. Not wanting to test his patience more than I already had, I pressed my lips together and considered my situation.
First, I had been kidnapped with no clear reason why. Secondly, he seemed to know me, so said kidnapping wasn’t a random opportunity he’d taken advantage of. But why me of all people? Sure, The Brewed Muffin had gained a decent reputation, but I wasn’t exactly rolling in money. After paying my employees, suppliers, and the loan from the bank, I used the rest for things we needed around the cottage. Any extra was put toward books or small treats for me and my men. I wasn’t exactly the prime candidate for a hostage negotiation.
What did he expect to get in return for me? Some coffee? Maybe a cupcake or two?
Another thought occurred to me. Was this what Lupin had warned me about? He’d said opening my café had set things into motion. Was me being kidnapped and held for ransom one of those things? Maybe that’s why he’d seemed so worried.
“That’s not suspicious at all,” the man said, his eyes narrowing. “You being quiet.”
“Well, you threatened to cut out my tongue if I didn’t.” I shifted on the saddle. “My butt’s numb. How much farther are we going to go?”
“As far as we need to.”
“You never told me your name.”
“I don’t do names,” he said. “It’s easier that way.”
“Easier for who? You or your victim?”
“Victim?” He released a sharp laugh. “As I said earlier, I do what I need to do in order to survive. I’ve been alone my whole life. Had no one to take care of me but myself. Something you’ll never understand.”
“Don’t assume shit you don’t know. I know what it’s like to feel like it’s me against the world.”
Growing up in foster care and being shuffled from family to family, never putting down roots anywhere, and struggling to put food on my table as I aged out of the system and tried to navigate the outside world? Yeah, I could definitely relate.
He glared at me before focusing back on the road.
I shifted in the saddle before sighing and resting my hands on the saddle’s horn. Hands that weren’t bound. He hadn’t tied me up? A tiny sliver of hope blossomed in my chest. My gaze darted around as a plan started to form.
“Don’t even think about it,” he said.
“Think about what?”
He gave me a droll look. “You’re thinking of jumping from the horse and running. While it would give me a much-needed laugh to see you flailing around and tripping over yourself in your attempt to escape, I’m much too tired for it.”
“Who said I’d trip and flail? I could be an amazing athlete, you know. Graceful and nimble on my feet.”
