My fingers scrabbled to find the knot and undo it. This was more challenging than the gag. But there was hope he hadn’t tied Eli up too well. From what Luke had shared, his father was a con man, not a seasoned kidnapper.
It was hard without seeing what I was working on, but I explored the rope carefully with my fingers. I fumbled with the knot. Adrenaline made my fingers shaky, and it soon turned into frustration.
“I can’t do it.”
“Try now.” Eli twisted and gave me a different angle on the knot. With less confidence than before, I resumed my efforts. I kept waiting for Luke’s father to appear and catch us, but the smell of cigarette smoke remained faint.
My fingers ached from working in such an odd position. Eventually, I thought I had it loosened and slipped my finger through the opening. With a sharp pull, the rope slackened.
“You got it!”
I shushed Eli. “Undo your feet, but keep the rope looped around your ankles. Then hold your hands behind your back as if you’re still tied up.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to distract him so you can run.” I stopped Eli before he protested. “Listen to me, Eli. If we both run, he’ll have to come after us. If only you run, he’ll probably let you go. I’m the one he really needs.”
“I don’t want to leave you.” Eli sniffled, his face smeared with dirt.
“It won’t be for long. You’re going to run back to the ranch as fast as you can and get help.” I gave him a weak smile that I hoped was reassuring. “You’re fast, even in human form. Luke and his brothers will know what to do.”
I prayed I was right, and they would save me. But as long as Eli got to safety, I convinced myself it was enough.
“I can’t.”
“You can. Eli, you are strong.” I met his teary gaze, trying to transmit any strength I had to him. “You are brave, and you can do this. I believe in you.”
He blinked back his tears and rolled his shoulders with one last big sniff. “I’ll get Luke. He’ll save you. You’re his mate. Fated mates are a big deal to shifters.”
“They are.” I gave him a shaky smile, surprised he knew that. “Get ready to run as soon as I have him distracted.”
He nodded, rolling over to hide his hands behind his back. Once he positioned himself, I kicked at the side of the truck bed and yelled. “Hey! I need to go to the bathroom.”
I kept banging on the truck and shouting until he slammed the truck door closed and appeared at the end of the truck, face furious.
“Stop yelling. How’d you get your gag out?” He grabbed my ankles and dragged me to the end of the truck bed. He reachedinto a box and pulled out a long strip of cloth. “I’ll have to tie this one tighter.”
“Please. I have to go to the bathroom.” I squeezed my legs together to convince him. “It won’t take long.”
“Do you think I’m a fool? You can hold it. Or not. I don’t really care. It’s not my truck.” He moved to gag me again, and I kicked out with my bound legs, catching him in the gut and pushing him back. He stumbled, almost falling, but caught himself at the last second. “You little?—”
I kicked out again as he approached, aiming for his face this time. He blocked with his arms, and curses flew from his mouth. He caught my legs on my next attempt and dragged me out of the truck, pinning me to the ground as he tried to gag me. I kept twisting my head and body, making it more difficult for him.
Over his shoulder, I saw Eli slipping out of the truck. He hesitated, but I gave him a slight nod. His jaw firmed, and he squared his shoulders before disappearing into the cornfield.
I continued to fight Luke’s father, buying Eli time to get farther away, but I was tiring. Finally, he had the gag tied tightly around my head. He dragged me to my feet and lifted me to put me back in the truck bed, only then noticing Eli was gone.
“You think you’re clever, don’t you?” He snarled at me. “Well, you’re going to cost Luke even more now. I deserve it for my troubles.”
He shoved me into the back and tied my ankles to part of the truck. “That should keep you in place.” He shut the tailgate and growled. “Need to switch locations since the pup got away.”
He stomped along the driver’s side of the truck. I heard the door slam, then the engine revved, and we started moving. The rutted path to the highway tossed me around, but with my hands behind me, I could do nothing to stop it.
I winced as my head hit the metal of the truck. Then, with no recovery time, I slammed hard against the opposite side. I would be a giant bruise after this. If there was an after this.
NINE
Luke
