Cruz’s hand moves down my face, and he cups my chin, running his thumb over my bottom lip. “What’s your name, little darlin'?”
I blink back at him, his intensity stealing away my voice. I can’t tell him who I am. The last name Moretti brings a certain notoriety even here. And depending on what side these men are on, that could get me killed or taken directly back into the hands of my husband. Neither option is something I’m up for tonight. Or ever.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” His hand moves up to caress my face, and I try to pull away from him, but his hold is firm. “You know we have ways of getting information out of people who won’t talk.”
My heart beats so hard I hear it ringing in my ears even over the noise of his car. “Just let me go, please,” I cry, tears strolling down my face.
He strokes down my cheek softly, tenderly, wiping them away one by one, as if he cares, when we both know he’s just toying with me. “Sorry, not going to happen, baby. But don’t cry, Cruz will take care of you.”
My head swims as a wave of nausea rolls through me. What on earth does he want with me? I can’t stay here and find out. I have to escape, but there is no way out. And he knows it. The evil flash of satisfaction in his eyes tells me as much.
Chapter 2
I’m Still Standing
AfterJaggerparksina normal-looking underground parking garage, not a creepy lair like I was half expecting, he opens the passenger-side door for us, and Cruz drags me kicking and screaming from the car. I have found my fight, and I’m going to do everything I can to avoid going inside with them.
Cruz clamps a hand over my mouth tightly.
But I’m not letting that stop me this time. I bite into his flesh, trying anything I can to force him to let go. But it doesn’t work. If he felt the pain, he didn’t even flinch. He drags me effortlesslyinto the elevator, the metal walls echoing with my cries. Carelessly, he shoves me against the wall, crushing his body against mine so I’m pinned.
I glare up at him, my breathing ragged like a wild animal. My eyes are wide, telling him not to mess with me or he’s going to regret it.
Jagger follows, tossing my bag at his feet as he types on his phone. His energy contrasts Cruz’s, radiating a silent, boss-like power with barely a movement, the distinct hint of gunpowder and cedarwood following him in.
Gasping, I desperately shove at Cruz, attempting anything to budge him. “Please let me go. I will do anything you want, just let me go.” He is a beast of a man, and his imposing presence makes him impossible to budge.
He quirks a brow, looking deranged. “Anything?” he asks with way too much delight in his voice.
“What do you want?” I whisper, thinking I already know the answer by the hungry way he’s eyeing me.
He toys with his piercing, running his tongue over it after his grin twists menacingly.
Oh, dear God. I shouldn’t have said that. The elevator dings, and I know this is it. My life is over. I look between them, my heart racing so hard my chest aches. Jagger isn’t even paying attention to us anymore; he’s still on his phone typing away. But Cruz is looking at me like I’m his next meal.
“Don’t even think about it, Cruz, we don’t make deals, especially not for stuck-up pussy,” Jagger snips as he collects my bag and strides off down the hallway.
Cruz follows Jagger, dragging me out of the elevator and down a long hallway, his arm tucked around my shoulders in a way that forces me forward even though my muscles are stiff and fighting against him.He shoves me straight through the front door of an apartment, where Jagger has the door held open for us.
Cruz holds me tight to his body, unaffected by my scratching at him. I bite him again, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth and making me want to puke, but that just makes him laugh and look even more unhinged. He’s so deranged he seems to like the pain. He brings his hand to his mouth and sucks the blood from it.
Oh, dear God. I sway on my feet; Cruz doesn’t skip a beat, scooping me up and carrying me over to a sofa.
He holds me closer, his forehead touching mine. “Don’t like blood, little darlin'?”
I try not to think about what he just did, try not to think about what’s about to happen to me. Right now, I need to stay conscious.
Jagger flicks on the lights, illuminating the apartment in front of us.
I blink a few times as I adjust to the brightness, wondering if I’m seeing things, because before me is a stunning apartment. It’s tidy and fresh off a Pinterest board, with cute fluffy sofa cushions and all. The color scheme, with its stark black and crisp white furnishings, is striking. It also has a smell to it like a home-cooked meal was prepared here earlier tonight, and something sweeter, like maybe vanilla scented candles? It appears to be a classy home, not some torture chamber like I was expecting. I honestly don’t know what to make of it.
Jagger bolts the door locked with a deafening click, trapping me inside with the two of them.
My heart races out of my chest as I gape back at Cruz. Who knows what he’s going to do next; he has this erratic energy about him, like he could snap at any second and turn into a completely different person. Whereas Jagger seems cool and in control of his every move, almostcalculated as he strolls across the room, a hand casually in his dark jeans pocket, and I’m not sure what scares me more.
Cruz’s fingers glide over my wrists, his thumbs brushing over the veins as he traces a line all the way to my hands. “Should I tie you up or can I trust you not to try anything silly again?” he asks like he’s imagining my hands bound and me helpless before him. The hint of pleasure in his voice does things to my insides it shouldn’t.
“You can trust me,” I whisper, pleading with my eyes for him to believe me. I’ve got nothing else to save me now. I’m down to lying and begging, even though there is no way in hell he can trust me. The second they turn their backs, I’m out of here.
