He closed the window and then positioned himself in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest. I was surprised he could cross those tree trunks at all. He looked like he’d filled out since I’d last seen him. And he was already big back then.
I guess if your hobbies included ripping the heads off dolls, you’d grow some arm muscles.
“I want to go home,” I said, mimicking his angry glare. He would not intimidate me.
“You can’t. Surely you understand how your dad’s business works. And when he says there’s a threat, you lie low and listen to people who know what they’re doing so you stay alive.”
Still not intimidated, but now a whole lot of pissed-off. “You condescending pig. I understand perfectly well how the business works, despite everyone keeping me as far away as they can. I grew up in that family. Just because you think you know better than me doesn’t mean you actually do.”
He stepped closer, but I stood my ground. My anger had snuffed out all my common sense, which would have told me to get the hell away from the angry giant.
“I definitely know better than you. I remember your antics well. In fact, if I remember correctly, the last time we saw each other, you’d snuck out to a party and I had to save your ass.”
Of course he’d bring up the most humiliating moment of my life.
A jolt of pain still shot through me at the memory.
“I hate you,” I whisper-hissed and stomped past him.
I went straight to the bathroom I’d spotted earlier and locked the door. I’d had about as much of Gunner as I could handle.
I sat down in the tub, exhausted down to the marrow of my bones and feeling dejected. I’d once thought he was the best thing to ever happen to me. Now I wished we’d never met at all.
I just hoped I would walk away less broken this time.
I drifted off where I was sitting while going over other possible escape plans, discarding them as quickly as I came up with them. I’d have to stay here for at least a day or two until I could figure something out.
4
I slowly woke,feeling nice and warm under soft blankets. I burrowed into my pillow, inhaling the clean laundry detergent scent. And stiffened, since the smell was unfamiliar.
Then it all came crashing back to me. The failed kidnapping. Rambo charging in and taking me to his supposed safe house. But I also remembered falling asleep in the bathtub. So how was I in a bed?
My growling stomach reminded me that I didn’t have dinner the night before. And since nobody could plot a successful escape on an empty stomach, I left my room in search of food.
As soon as I stepped foot outside where I’d been sleeping, I was greeted with a grunting noise, followed by a thud and then the clinking of chains.
Following the sound, I tiptoed down the hallway to the last room on the right. The door was half open, and I pushed it a little farther to be able to look inside.
And was greeted with a sweaty Gunner who was furiously punching a big boxing bag. My mouth went dry and my eyes greedily drank in his bare upper chest, glistening with sweat. He was a sculpted work of art, almost looking photoshopped, his cutoff sweatpants hanging low on his hips.
If anyone would have asked me when I first met Gunner what I liked best about him, I would have said his eyes. Despite his expressionless face, his eyes held all the emotions. Once you knew where to look, you could read him like an open book.
“Your rat is in the kitchen, and the guys got you some food,” he said, not stopping his assault on the bag.
A smile so big I thought I’d get a cramp overtook my face. Gunner’s eyes locked on my mouth and he went still, his workout forgotten. Since he didn’t stop the bag when he turned into a statue, it hit him right in the face, making him stumble back.
At least Karma was on my side for once. I hoped the bag would leave a bruise.
“Thanks so much for getting him,” I said.
After blinking at me and shaking his head, he turned back to his bag.
I raced to the kitchen, where Killer was happily munching on lettuce leaves. I saw carrots, a whole corncob, and a bowl with rabbit food sitting in his cage as well.
I wondered if it was Gunner who’d fed him or one of his guys. I went over to my baby and, much to his annoyance, lifted him out.
“Sorry, Killer, don’t be mad. I just need one little cuddle, and then you can get back to stuffing your face,” I said and kissed him before setting him back inside his cage. He went right back to eating.
