Page 30 of Poisoned Pawn

“I’m okay. I’m at—” The line cuts off as a hand appears over my shoulder and heat hits my back.

“Bad fucking move, princess.” Carter takes the handset from my hand, dropping it back into the cradle, while he wraps an arm around my waist. The rough bristles from his scruff covered face scrape against my cheek as he whispers, “Move and don’t try anything.”

I take a couple of steps, my blood boiling at having been caught. More at the fact he refuses to let me speak to Roxy at all, even just to let her know I’m okay. We are almost to the main doors when a phone rings somewhere behind us. I know it’s her calling back and hoping that I’ll be there to answer. My heart fractures a little at the pain this will be causing Roxy.

“You better sleep with one eye open,” I warn as we push through the main doors and make our way back to the car.

My threat doesn’t even warrant a disbelieving chuckle. He guides me round to the passenger side, spinning me to face him.

“What makes you think I’ll be doing any sleeping?” He raises a brow, letting his words sit there for a moment before adding, “Get in.” He pulls me aside enough to open the door and pushes me forward, standing by and watching as I climb in while throwing piercing glares over my shoulder at him. Each time, I’m met with a troubled frown.

“This how it’s going to be?” I ask having remained silent for the last thirty minutes. A task that got harder every second.

“And how is that exactly?”

“This constant back and forth of growly arsehole to cold shoulder. She’s my sister.”

“I’m not here to make small talk, Star.”

“No, then what the hell are you here for other than to irritate me and keep me from the people I love. Sounds a lot like abduction.” I don’t add that I’ve already done this twice before. Admittedly, this time is a little different. I’m not being molested, and he doesn’t seem to want me dead, although that could be a ruse to get me to lower my guard.

You’d fuck him though!

I mentally tell my straight-talking conscience to shut up and turn my attention back to Carter.

He shrugs. “Abduction, kidnapping, whatever the fuck you want to call it. If you’re still alive at the end of this, then that’s a win. As for your sister, all you’re doing is endangering her and making it easy for cunts to find us.”

“Bullshit!” I snap, but deep down I know there’s some truth to his words.

“Not bullshit, Star. Did it ever occur to you that this isn’t to do with you? That you’re nothing more than a pawn in a much bigger game?Princess.”

My reaction to him calling me princess again is instant.

My hands fly at him, slapping wildly as he attempts to shield his face with his arm while trying not to crash the fucking car. He suddenly swerves to the left across both lanes before skidding to a halt. Without any thought, I’m out the car and running.

CHAPTERELEVEN

CARTER

Islam my hands down on the steering wheel, fury and fire lick a path through my body as she jumps the barrier into the woodland beyond. I see the top of her head as she darts between trees, and lust and desire join the party. Reaching into the back seat and the go bag from the storage unit I root around for a couple of minutes until I find exactly what I’m looking for.

If the princess wants to play, then we fucking play.

I hop over the barrier taking my time. There is no rush. Nowhere she can run to out here. Besides, running with a dick as hard as fucking stone is a pain I don’t enjoy but can endure if needed.

My hunter senses kick in as soon as my feet break the first twig beneath them. The crack of it is like the starter gun of a race, only this isn’t a race. It’s a fucking hunt.

Using the cover of the thick tree trunks, I stalk toward where I last saw her, twirling the coil of rope I took from my bag, feeling the rough bound threads as they glide through my fingers.

I let out a low whistle between my teeth that cuts off as a flash of black moves in the corner of my eye.

“Do you remember what happens when you run, Star?” I call out, moving closer to where she is. “Hmmmm, I can fucking smell you. Almost taste that sweet nectar dripping between your thighs.”

Snap!

My eyes dart to the sound, catching a glimpse of her as she runs from behind one tree to another. The moon is full tonight and high in the sky casting shadows through the treetops, but the ethereal glow will come in handy once I catch her.

I creep a little closer—so close I can practically hear her panted breaths, and it sends a tremor of excitement down my spine and a dark and desperate need to the tip of my cock. It pulses, leaking pre-cum, and I have to adjust myself. Anticipation is high as I wait for her to move again.

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