“Yes.”
She still holds me roughly by the face, her eyes hard and cold as she says, “You know why I didn’t say your name? Because I don’t know you, not really. And this house of cards between us is built on a lie. I can’t give myself to you because a person can’t give away what they don’t have. I’m your prisoner. Nothing more.”
She pushes past me, calling to Zaire that she’ll take her meal in her room.
“Fuuuck.” I tuck my shirt back in and zip my fly just as Zaire enters, still looking in the direction she fled. “Would you like me to do as she asks? Or encourage her to return to the table?”
“Did you give her the password?”
“Yes. She asked me for it, as you predicted.”
“Excellent. Yeah, bring her dinner to her room. Bring her anything she wants.”
“As you wish.” He nods.
He takes off toward the kitchen. I lean my back against the wall, closing my eyes and breathing in the lingering scent of my mate.
Chapter Sixteen
FIONA
Only once I’m safely in my room do I realize how hard I’m trembling. My nerves are shot. Everything in me wanted to say his name. I wanted to tell him I was his and he was mine and that we could live in this lodge in the middle of nowhere forever. Lord knows after the orgasm he gave me with his fingers alone, we’d likely spend the first ten years of forever breaking in our bed.
But it’s been a long time since I was an idealist. I’m thirty-two. I’ve had my share of lovers and boyfriends. Connor kidnapped me, and while some of his explanation has proven to be true— Roman isn’t the man I thought he was— he definitely has been manipulating me. I’ve been at his mercy here, eating his food, wearing his clothes. And all that time, he’s been reading my thoughts.
I think about the feel of his purr down our bond. Howfar does it go? Can he put thoughts into my head? Has he put thoughts into my head?
There’s a knock on the door. I wipe under my eyes and let Zaire in. He sets a tray brimming with Italian food next to my laptop and leaves with one of his trademark bows. I follow him to the door, close and lock it, then test the knob. I’m surprised to find that the lock works. Of course, Connor probably has the key. Still, the lock provides me with some level of privacy.
I stare at the food, then look around the room.
What I know for sure is that I can’t trust Connor with my heart until I know the truth. I open my laptop and log into my iMessage account. No response from Vivian. My heart gives a painful squeeze. I message Roman’s personal cell phone.
Me: I’m being held in a large cabin someplace cold by someone who calls himself a dragon. All I can see out my window is woods and mountains. It looks like north central US, but I don’t know for sure. I don’t know how long I’ll have access to this account.
I hit Send and look over my shoulder at my closed door. A few minutes pass and then…
Roman:Has he hurt you?
Me: No. Just confused and afraid. Why am I still here? Why haven’t you found a way to get me back?
I stare at the three dots in the chat bubble, holding my breath. I’m not ashamed of the ring of desperation in those words.
Roman:I don’t negotiate with terrorists.
Me: Even when those terrorists have your fiancée?A sick feelingcomes over me.
Roman:All in time.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Me:Is it true? About the Saint’s Order? Do you and your father lead a secret society?I hit Send before I can talk myself out of the question.
Roman:I’d have shared all this with you once we were wed.
Oh my God. It’s true.
Me:Is that why you haven’t reported me missing to the police? Because you don’t want them to find out about the Order?
