Page 73 of Merciless Desires

His ominous statement sends ice through my veins. But I lift my chin, managing to square my shoulders even with my wrists bound.

I have to survive this.

Fear slithers through me as he shoves me through the cabin door. My eyes dart around the dim space, searching desperately for an escape route.

The main room is small but well-appointed, with hardwood floors and rustic furniture. An open kitchen occupies one corner, while a hallway leads off to what are presumably bedrooms, maybe a bathroom. Sturdy, exposed wooden beams across the ceiling are somehow cozy.

If I weren't here against my will, this might be a charming weekend retreat. But with the predator at my back, this shadowed interior takes on a sinister cast.

He prods me forward, pushing me toward the short hall. My toes curl against the cool wood floors, instincts screaming not to let him force me into a confined space where I'll be even more vulnerable. I dig in my heels, bare feet slipping but still resisting his momentum.

His hands clamp down painfully on my shoulders as he gives me a little shake. "Enough. It’s time you learned who is in control here."

The steel in his voice brooks no argument. Still, defiance rises in my throat. My, “Fuck you,” comes out as garbled grunts behind the tape. I won't cower before this monster who ripped me from my home, from my bed.

In response, he applies bruising pressure just below my jawline, forcing my head up at an awkward angle. "Uh-uh, none of that," he tuts in my ear. "Let's keep things civil, shall we?"

I suppress a shudder at the sensation of his warm breath on my skin and cease struggling. Picking my battles is the wisest choice right now. Once the tape is off my mouth, there will be plenty of opportunities to make my feelings known.

Seemingly satisfied by my cooperation, he nudges me forward into a small bedroom. Floral bedding and lace curtains seem jarringly out of place compared to his sinister presence looming behind me. I flinch as he reaches around me to flick on a lamp atop the dresser, flooding the room with warm light. With the added illumination, I spot a door leading to an attached bathroom.

Gathering my courage, I turn to face him fully for the first time. He always creeped me out, but I never really got a good assessing look at him before. Now that I can observe him clearly, I see what Maggie was talking about. He is handsome—for an older guy. My guess is he's around his late thirties or early forties, maybe. His straight nose, square jaw, and full lips make his face classically handsome. His mouth is incredibly sexy. His eyes, though. His eyes are nearly black, and cruel. They seem to devour light rather than reflect it.

Currently, his sexy mouth is contorted in a sneer as he watches me. "Is the room to your liking, princess?" He gestures grandly as if he's a host and I'm a guest. "I do hope you'll find it comfortable during your stay," he mocks.

Fresh anger rising, I unleash a torrent of muffled vitriol on him, straining against the tape over my mouth.

His smile only widens at my tirade. "Ah yes, how thoughtless of me to keep you muffled like that." He steps closer, his thumb and forefinger millimeters from the edge of the tape when he stops and his grin turns wicked. "Be still now. Unless you want this to hurt."

I force myself to stand rigid and try not to flinch when he touches me. He murmurs something meant to soothe as if speaking to a skittish animal. The mocking pretense of care makes my skin crawl.

With agonizing slowness, he peels the tape from my flesh. I bite my tongue against crying out as it pulls painfully on my skin and yanks out some of my hair that was stuck to it. Finally, it rips free and I gasp at the stinging relief, working my dry mouth.

"Don't make me regret that. I can easily replace it with another piece." He brushes a strand of hair from my cheek and I jerk my head aside, fuming.

"Don't touch me," I snap through parched lips. "Don't pretend you didn't break into my trailer and steal me out of my bed. You’re a kidnapper. I’m not falling for your fake gentleness."

All humor evaporates from his expression, eyes turning flinty. The affable mask slips as the predator lurks beneath surfaces.

"No? You prefer the trunk of my car instead?" He leans in, crowding me with his tall, muscled frame. "Perhaps another dose of sedative to keep you docile?"

I shuffle back until my shoulders hit the wall. "What the hell do you want? Why did you take me? What do you plan to do with me?" Frustration makes my voice shrill.

With a scoff, he leans against the door jamb, leveling a brooding look at me. "That is not your concern. You will remain here until I decide otherwise."

"So I'm your prisoner, is that it?"

He cocks a brow, seemingly bored by my outrage. "Make this easy on yourself, golubushka. The doors are locked and you have no vehicle. Even if you managed to slip past me, we are miles from civilization out here. You would perish in the wilderness." His eyes rake over my thin nightclothes pointedly.

I've lived in this country since I was eight years old, but I was born in Russia and speak the language fluently. He called me “little dove.” The diminutive nickname combined with the intimacy in his gaze, makes my skin crawl. "I'd rather take my chances in the woods. Anything is better than being your captive plaything."

In a startlingly quick movement, he closes the short distance between us, planting his hands on either side of my head. I shrink back against the wall, my pulse racing as he traps me effortlessly.

"Foolish girl. You have no concept of the danger you tempt." His voice drops to a menacing growl that vibrates through me.

Refusing to let him intimidate me into silence, I lift my chin. "I'm not afraid of you." The lie comes out more steadily than expected.

He searches my face intently, weighing my false bravado. Then he dips his head, breath hot and slightly minty against my cheek when he whispers, "Oh, but you should be."

---