Page 5 of The Ties That Bind

“That’s hard, but I don’t see what my parents have to do with it.”

His head whipped toward her. “Caitlin’s problems are her own, but her dealers certainly haven’t helped.”

Elle’s mind was a blank. It took several long moments before she put two and two together. “You’re saying my parents are drug dealers?” she asked flatly. “That’s ridiculous.”

“They have easy access to the good stuff—opioids, benzos, addy. A whole pharmacy at their disposal. My sister was in a car accident,” he continued. “Your dad stitched her up, sent her home with a nice big bottle of Oxy. Except he knew she had a history of using. Instead of providing appropriate care for a former drug-addict, he intentionally sent her down a path to relapse.” He took a deep breath. “And when she did, your dad welcomed her with open arms … as her dealer.”

“That’s insane,” Elle interrupted. “I don’t know what story your sister is selling, but I’m not buying it. My parents would never hurt anyone. They took an oath.”

“They must have confused Hippocratic with hypocritical.” He sneered. “They made her a drug mule. She sells for them. Keeps their hands clean. But something went wrong this week.” He swallowed audibly. “She couldn’t deliver payment on time.” He turned his back to her, his posture defeated.

She couldn’t help the stab of empathy piercing her heart, unable to imagine what that must be like. He clearly loved his sister. He must be terrified. “How—” she started, unsure of what to say.How can I helpseemed like a truly bizarre thing for someone in her position to say. He had her tied up in basement for goodness’ sake, with who knew what intentions. Her soft, stupid heart and her stubborn, stupid brain battled.

“Your parents are keeping her somewhere until I can pay back what she owes.” He collected himself and turned back around. “But there’s no way I can get that kind of money in time.”

“So you kidnapped me for ransom money.” Elle’s head swam.

“Not ransom, a trade. You for her.”

There was no way her parents were involved with any of this, but Elle knew they would do anything to protect her. She just had to stay calm until the cavalry arrived. Her foot itched, and she reached to scratch it without thinking. She gasped when the rope around her wrist pulled painfully.

He stepped forward and reached for her, eyes wide. He dropped the disinterested mask back into place, but it was too late. “Stop pulling. You’re not going anywhere.”

He’d bandaged her feet and given her a blanket. She noticed the snacks and water nearby, but wasn’t willing to risk either just yet. Testing a theory, she slowly inched up her dress and rubbed a sore spot on her thigh. His eyes followed her every move, concern turning to barely suppressed interest.

Now that she wasn’t blinded by beer goggles—get real, girl, lust coated ogle gogglesshe chided herself—she could see that he was affected by her, too. He could pretend to be made of stone all he wanted. Elle knew his secret. And knowledge is power.

****

He wasn’t supposed to flinch when he saw her in pain, but goddamn if he could help it. He’d only known this girl for a few hours and already knew she was something special. Seeing her tied up simultaneously broke him and turned him on. In different circumstances he would lethertiehimup. Hell, he’d let her do whatever she wanted to him and beg for seconds. He would bow and kiss her feet if she asked. He glanced down at the thought, making sure the bandages were still secured over her arches. If this went on much longer, he’d figure out a way to secure her more comfortably.

“This will make things easier,” he said, pulling her phone from his pocket. “I’m tired of getting the run around from one of their lackeys. Now, I can go straight to the source.” He aimed the camera at her. “Smile.”

She turned her head away, but it was too late—he’d used face recognition to open her phone. As he scrolled through her contacts, the phone beeped. “Sarah wants to know what happened last night.”

“Let me answer her. She’ll worry.” Elle held her hand out expectantly.

“I bet.” He tapped his thumb to his lip, thinking. Then he typed a quick message back and hit send. “That should give us time.”

“I talk to her every day,” Elle insisted. “Whatever you said won’t keep her for long.”

“Not really my main concern right now, to be honest.” He continued scrolling until he found her dad’s cell number. Curiosity got the better of him, and he read through their last several text exchanges. Some were typical scheduling and other housekeeping messages, but he saw the inside jokes thrown in, the memes (the old man could use gifs … Alec didn’t see that coming), the obvious adoration between father and daughter. No wonder Elle wouldn’t hear a word against him.

“What are you doing?”

“Deciding how best to show your parents I mean business. Thoughts?” He turned the camera toward her again. “Say, hostage!” He snapped a photo of her looking pissed off, the tied wrist clearly visible where she held it awkwardly to her side.

She nibbled worriedly at her lip, and he forced his features to remain smooth.You don’t care how she feels. You can’t,he reminded himself. “Does it have to be a ransom?”

“How else would this work?” he asked, genuinely intrigued. If she had a better way out of this, he was all ears.

“You said you need money. What if I asked for it? I could give it to you, and my parents would never have to know.”

He definitely wasn’t expecting that. “It’s ten thousand dollars.”

She shrugged. “Like you said, school is expensive. Maybe I need textbook money.” She reached for her phone again.

He yanked it away. “How do I know you won’t just send for help? Get the cops involved?”

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