Page 8 of Steal a King (Five Kings 2)

“What is?”

He smirks and runs his eyes across my body in a lazy way that has me squirming inside. “I like a woman who begs.”

“I’m guessing you do; most men like you would.”

“What man is that?”

I know he’s playing with me, so I snap, “A man who gets his kicks from intimidating women, men, and anything else that catches his attention. A man with more money than morality who thinks it buys him the right to do what the fuck he likes. Take me, case in point. You think you can control me, keep me here because of business I have no part in. Well, I am my own person and not impressed by men like you, and I demand to leave immediately before I report you to the cops for false imprisonment.”

My chest heaves as I lay it all out there, and if anything, I’m proud of myself for making a stand. I’ve been reasonable, despite the fact he virtually kidnapped me, but it appears my words have fallen on deaf ears because he shakes his head.

“Request denied. Now sit there, shut up and listen to what I’m about to say because if you won’t do this for me, or for you, then do it for your family.”

“What do you mean?” The fear hit me as soon as he mentioned my family and he says curtly, “I wasn’t lying when I said they would be in danger, so here’s what’s happening. You are my only link to the person who has caused two deaths already and will think nothing of clearing away anyone that can direct us to him. Your family is now involved because you visited them and may have told them something. I have arranged a guard on them so you should be grateful for that because all the time you’re with me you’re safe. If you return home, to work, you are a target. The person who ordered that coin had a plan that hasn’t worked out. He or she will know we’re onto them, which may make then careless. Nobody is safe until we discover their identity, so cut the attitude, save the smart remarks and accept that we are stuck with each other for however long this takes. So, your case is in your room, I suggest you make yourself at home while we wait for Ryder to unravel the facts.”

“Ryder?”

“The man who just left. He is currently sifting through every part of your life and business to find the trail that will lead us to your elusive customer, so relax and enjoy your stay in the most expensive prison in the world.”

He stands and says tersely, “Follow me, we’ve done enough talking.”

He strides from the room, leaving me to follow, and I know in my heart he’s right. I need to believe what he said because if my family is in any danger at all, I owe it to them to see this through. What that means for me, I’m not sure but surely it will only take them one day, two at the most, so I can cope with that, surely. I mean, how hard can it be?

---