“We engineered a car accident. Couldn’t have him looking for Heath,” Isobel said.
“What about Daniel?” Anya asked quietly. “Who was his mother?”
Isobel’s smile widened. “Aren’t you cute, trying to distract all of us.”
Anya leaned back against Daniel and tried to stop shaking. Could she somehow convey trust to him? It’d be easier to manipulate him than the other two. “Don’t you want to know who your biological parents were, Daniel?” she asked, very aware of the gun pointed just above her head.
“Not really,” he said. “Though the commander was my father, I believe.”
Darn it. “Fine. Then who is Heath’s father?” She’d keep them talking all night if she could.
Isobel tugged off her gloves. “A soldier who died long ago, I assure you.” She gently placed her gloves into a pocket of her mink coat and then drew a small pistol from the other pocket. “We need a decision here, boys.”
“Give me the night, please.” Daniel’s voice rose in pitch. “I need the night with her. Just one.” He held Anya’s waist so tightly she couldn’t breathe.
Oh, he had no intention of having just one night. But if they believed him, then maybe they’d leave and Anya could get free. “I agree, Daniel,” she said softly. “Let’s get rid of them.”
Isobel turned toward Cobb. “We could let Daniel have the night, and then you could get a turn.”
Anya sucked in air, her eyes widening. “You’re a monster,” she breathed.
Isobel lifted a small shoulder. “I’ve been called worse. You just don’t matter. Elton?”
Cobb shook his head. “Daniel will probably kill her. I want the pleasure.”
“What about using her to draw Heath and his brothers in?” Isobel asked, her hand steady on the gun. “I’m sorry to find Heath not here already, Daniel.”
Daniel’s chest heaved behind Anya. “You don’t understand. Ihaveto take the night with her. There’s no other option. Afterward, I’ll bring Heath, Denver, and Ryker to you. I promise. Give me this—since she’s mine. Then I’ll do whatever you want.”
Cobb snorted. “You haven’t succeeded in bringing those boys back yet. Why should we trust you now?”
“Ineedthis,” Daniel hissed. “She’s my soul mate, and I have to make her mine. Have to hear her scream my name.”
Blood dripped from Anya’s neck to dot her white blouse. “Looks like a stalemate,” she said. “Daniel? I want to stay here with you. Make them go away. Give me another chance. Please?”
He grabbed her hair and jerked her up onto her toes. The knife scraped against her skin. “I agree.”
Isobel studied him for a moment. “Well, I think the redhead is correct. We’re at a stalemate.” She waved her gun toward Anya and stepped farther into the cabin. “One of you men needs to give in gracefully, or you need to fight it out. Either way, this is getting tiresome.”
Cobb’s lips peeled back. “Oh, I’d love to fight it out.”
Daniel chuckled. “As would I. Isobel? Do I have your word you’ll cover Anya?”
“Absolutely.” Isobel pointed toward the handcuffs on the counter. “Just cuff her first.”
Daniel’s body moved against Anya’s, and the knife finally left her throat. The wind burst out of her lungs. Okay. She took several deep breaths. He slapped a cuff around her left wrist and dragged her over to the sofa, where he fastened the other cuff to a ring set into the wall. “The rings will come in handy later,” he said against her ear. “I’ll be quick in killing him. You can always count on me.”
She shuddered.
Isobel strode over to sit on the opposite end of the couch and pointed her gun at Anya’s chest. “Make it speedy, gentlemen. Good luck to you both.”
Cobb shoved his gun into his waistband. Before he had finished, Daniel was on him, propelling him outside in a harsh tackle.
“Makes sense,” Anya said, her mind fuzzing. “Daniel doesn’t feel the cold.”
“None of my boys do,” Isobel said, glancing at a diamond-encrusted watch on her left wrist. “What’s it like to know you’re going to die tonight?” she asked, her eyes gleaming.
Anya glared. “Excuse me?”
