Page 163 of Receiving His Mercy
She just hoped that Aadan didn’t get mad at her. What was wrong with him? He’d never been this unhinged before.
“Tie him up and then get out,” Aadan snapped at everyone.
One of the guys zip tied Tyler’s hands behind his back and they dumped him on the floor. She winced but didn’t say anything. Trying to read Aadan’s mood and mind was difficult when he was so erratic, but it was pretty clear that he didn’t like it when she showed that she cared for anyone but him.
Aadan helped her into a chair. This time he was so careful with her, treating her like she was made of glass.
These changes in his behavior made it feel like she was on a rollercoaster.
“My poor princess. Are you all right?” he asked her. “What can I get you?”
“W-water? Please?” Maybe it would pay to act weaker than she was. It would give her the element of surprise.
“Of course.” He snapped his fingers.
She jumped, groaning in pain as her ribs protested.
Getting kicked in the ribs was not something she recommended.
Out of the shadows, a younger woman appeared. Where the hell had she come from? How hadn’t she noticed her before?
Her stomach dropped. Maybe she should have worked harder to do something about him.
“Get some water,” he ordered.
“Thank you,” she said quietly when the woman brought back a glass of water. With shaky hands, she took sips.
“Here, princess, let me help you,” Aadan said.
Play along.
Don’t let him see your disgust for him.
After she’d taken a few sips, he set the glass aside. “Now, I want you to tell me about these men that helped you leave. Why would they do that? Why did you go?”
Did he not remember her telling him that she wanted to leave? The argument they’d had? The way he’d pinned her to the wall and she’d been scared he would hurt her.
“Why would they have taken you from me if they were my men? Did you ask them to?”
“No, I thought you asked them to.”
“Why would I ask them to?” he asked in a louder voice.
Shit. She swallowed hastily.
Tread carefully.
“Why would they have helped her leave unless you told them to?” Tyler asked. “This doesn’t really seem like a democracy where your men are taught to think for themselves. And they weren’t going to listen to Caren, were they?”
Bollocks.
Why wouldn’t he just shut up?
Aadan turned to Tyler. “I think my men should have just shot you. But, no matter, your body will be easier to dispose of now.”
“Why did it take you so long to find me?” she blurted out.
Shit. That sounded accusatory.
