"What are you talking about? Your kind always asks for money."
Amusement curved his mouth. "And just what is my kind, Elyse? I'm curious as to what you think.”
"A kidnapper, a pirate, the sort who always has a price."
"Husband?" he suggested.
Elyse paled. "Surely you don't refer to that ridiculous ceremony. No one would accept it..." She stopped, trying to bring her emotions under control. "It doesn't mean anything. I did not give my consent."
His smile deepened. "Of course you did. Everyone in that church heard it."
"You're insane! I was forced. It would never stand," she argued even with the doubt that crept in.
"What purpose does it serve? You don't want to be married to me, and I certainly don't want..."
She was cut off as Zach held up his hand. "I don't take money for what I do. I work for no one. And as for abducting you..." He paused then continued. "The ceremony serves my purpose. Barrington has been publicly humiliated. His bride has been stolen right out from under his nose, and by a man he hates more than anyone else in the world. You, my dear, are the perfect lure for the perfect trap."
She stared at him. He was deliberately trying to confuse her. The perfect lure for the perfect trap? And why the devil should he hate Jerrold when they'd only just met? She didn't understand any of this. It didn't make any sense.
"You're nothing but a thieving pirate!" she flung at him.
"That is an interesting possibility," he admitted.
"Then, you don't deny it."
"I don't deny or acknowledge anything. You're the one making the assumptions."
She groaned. This was getting her nowhere. If money didn't seem to interest him, then maybe the thought of hanging from a rope would get through to him.
"There's no place you can hide. You'll be found and made to pay for your crimes."
"Elyse, do you really believe I didn't know that when I abducted you from that church?"
No, she thought, he isn't the sort of man who does things without knowing full well the repercussions.
"Jerrold will come after you," she whispered, incredulous now, trying to reason with him. That gray gaze met hers.
"I want him to find me."
His simple admission stunned her. He was inviting his own death. She shook her head in disbelief. It was hopeless. Those few words had told her there was no hope for her release.
"Why are you doing this?"
"In a way, Elyse, there is a ransom. You are the ransom. I knew Jerrold would come after you. His pride wouldn't let him do otherwise. I've even made it easy for him. I left him a note. He now knows who abducted you and where you can be found."
"I don't understand."
Zach smiled, but his voice was filled with bitterness. "It's a family matter, an old score has to be settled.'' He turned and headed for the door.
"You could be killed." She followed him to the door and tried to reason with him.
"Would that matter to you?" he asked.
Would it? "I don't want anyone to be hurt. I just want to go home," she replied.
"As Lady Barrington." His voice was tight, raw. His hand came up.
She took a step back.
