Set to return to the safe house and Imogen I hear Gino say to Pietro causally, “I hear she’s quite the looker.”
For some odd reason my heart picks up its pace. Usually I’m not the man who concerns himself with eavesdropping. Most of the time it’s pointless conversation. But it concerns her. And wherever she’s concerned I find it’s unfortunately important to me.
“Even for being the enemy, I have to admit she’s a stunner.” He flashes Gino a wolfish smile. One that would eat little red riding hood whole. And that image. . .the image of Pietro marking her makes me feel almost feral.
“If you are referring to Imogen she’s ordinary.” Describing her as such tastes sour on my tongue. But it’s a necessary evil. The last thing I need is Pietro and Gino gawking with lustful eyes at my captive. The only eyes that belong on Imogen are mine.
Pietro snorts. He then playfully slaps Gino on the arm. “Says the man who’s hard to please.” He looks back at me, smirk on full display. “Seriously, when was the last time you got laid? If ever?”
“My sexual affairs have no business being discussed with you.”
“The fact that you refer to it as“sexual affairs”is telling me you don’t have one.”
Gino rolls his eyes at Pietro’s antics. “Or he likes to keep it under wraps. Unlike yourself.”
He clicks his tongue at him. “Or maybe Rico wants the Irish Princess all to himself.”
As much as a jester he is, he’s also too observant for his own good. It’s what makes him a great soldier. His eyes on the street are the best ones to keep watch. But it’s annoying when he starts to play detective with me. Especially when he’s right.
“She is a captive and nothing more. The key to end Seamus.”
Pietro’s mouth twists with humor as he eyes me suspiciously. “Right. Well, if that’s so you won’t mind Gino and I coming over to see how the captive is doing.”
The skin at the back of my neck prickles. An odd sensation that I can only akin to what must be like thousands of ants roaming along one’s flesh. It’s an unpleasant feeling. One I want to be rid of. Immediately.
“We could help with the video,” Gino suggests. “Perhaps her pa seeing her surrounded by three dangerous men will send more than just fear. It will cause panic. Maybe even desperation to get her away from the likes of us.”
My strategic mind agrees with him. It also berates me for not thinking of it myself. This is why we captured her in the first place. To be used as a tool to end this vendetta Seamus has against Constantine.
Then why does the thought of going through with the video, of making Imogen visibly uncomfortable, cause a nauseousness in my throat and my skin to boil? Why is perspiration beading at my forehead?
Why am I feeling like this? Why can’t I understand it?
Imogen Murphy is proving to be more trouble than she’s worth. Because if I have to spend more time with her than necessary it might just break me.
CHAPTER 10
Imogen
My wrists are blistered and lightly bleeding from the abrasions of the metal cuffs. I have worked tirelessly for what I can only assume is hours trying to rid myself of them.
I wish the old trick of a broken thumb would’ve freed me. Or that I had a bobby pin laying around to finagle the lock. But my captor is too smart to leave me to my own devices.
There’s nothing of use within these four walls.
Hope plummets faster than a shooting star.
And so I lay on the bed, stare at the ceiling and feel riddled with guilt. So much so that it suffocates me. Because I know ma is taking the brunt of pa’s frustrations. He has no one else to berate but her. And Sebastian. . .he must be furious. Made a fool standing alone at the altar. He’ll want vengeance. He’ll spend his days searching for me only to make me an example in front of his men.
I was so hell bent on freedom that I never once thought of the consequences of my actions. The ripple effect.
It haunts me now. Consuming my every waking thought.
Because now I’m not shackled to a loveless marriage with the only purpose being to produce an heir. I’m shackled, literally shackled, to a man whose intentions are unclear.
A shiver sluices its way down my spine.
I eye the camera in the corner of the room. The dot blinking red. I give two middle fingers followed by the slicing of a throat. The dots fade away.
