“I don’t think so.” She moved farther away from Eddie an inch at a time. Would Elias know what to do? Was he aware enough to help her with their escape? If not, she’d have to wait for Seth and the others. The way things were looking, Iona may have to allow Eddie liberties she’d rather not give him.
Or maybe not, if Elias took the opportunity she was setting up for him. She could only hope he took the hint. “You are too sure of yourself, Eddie. I think you’re all bark and no bite.”
He laughed. “I assure you, my women walk around daily wearing a bite mark in sensitive places.”
She’d take that bet any day of the week. Hope he had his rabies shots up to date. Iona frowned. “I wouldn’t appreciate that at all. I have sensitive skin and bruise easily. You wouldn’t like my body with bruises all over it, would you?”
“Depends on who made them.”
She wagged a finger at him. “Naughty, naughty, Eddie. I’m thinking you’re not a good option for me.”
“I can be very persuasive, Iona.”
“Thirty seconds,” Seth murmured. “Keep him busy, Iona.”
Easy for him to say. Seth wasn’t dangling himself as bait over the lion’s den. “You said you could offer more than Elias. What did you mean by that?”
Again, he laughed. “You are quite mercenary.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Man, she sounded so vapid that Iona wanted to slap herself.
“I can control that tendency, I assure you.”
“Maybe. I’m still waiting for the answer to my question, Eddie.”
“Elias gave you a house. I can give you Paris.”
She blinked. Paris? Was he kidding? “No, thanks. I’ve been to Paris, Tennessee.”
Eddie stared, then he laughed. “No, sweetness. Paris, France.”
Iona wrinkled her nose. “Eww. Snails. I’ll pass.”
“I see. So, where would you like to go that will seem better than Europe?”
“I want to go to Boonsboro, Maryland.” Now they’d see what he did with that.
The information seemed to stump him. “What’s in Boonsboro?”
She gaped at him. “Not what. Who. Nora Roberts, of course.”
Now it was his turn to blink. “Who is that?”
“The greatest romance author who ever lived. I love her books.”
“And you will pass up Paris, France to visit Boonsboro?”
“You bet. It’s my biggest dream.”
He opened his mouth to respond when the door to the room flew open and two more enforcers stormed in.
“Sir, we’re under attack.”
Eddie scowled. “Show me.” He glanced back at Iona. “Crusher, chain Iona next to Elias, then take her weapons. After that, we’ll give them a few minutes to contemplate their fate while I handle this rude intrusion. Rowdy, give him a hand.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hey,” Iona protested, scowling. Had to make it look good, after all. “I didn’t ask to be trussed up like a turkey.”
