How can someone who is so demanding, so absolute, be so mercurial about wanting someone but pushing themaway at the same time? I’d really like to punch him in the face. I know him well enough to know he doesn’t play games. If he doesn’t want me, I wish he would just come out and say that. Not this ‘I don’t want to control you’ bullshit.
“I’m going to take Squeak for a walk.” Not because I need to fall apart, but because I need to blow off some steam. Angry tears prick my eyes—now I’m mad. He’s no good for me, but his friend who will only want me for sex is? Make that shit make sense.
“You did that this morning while you were ignoring me.” He grins.
Why am I not surprised that he was stalking me on camera—again.
“You’re an insufferable bastard.” I shove my way past him.
He doesn’t stop me.
Not mattering to someone is not new to me, so why am I giving him so much purchase?It’s not you it’s me. Nah. He’s just another swinging dick with a god complex. I might not be his cup of tea but watch me be his poison.
Chapter 26
Nick
Maya comes out of her room, carrying a tiny orange and white terrorist who evidently shredded all the toilet paper in her room. The kitten doesn’t look sorry or done trying to shred things as it claws at her arms to break free.
Perfect timing, she has no idea what’s coming, nor will she suspect anything while she’s focused on that damn cat.
“Ethan, will you take Squeak? She keeps attacking me when I try to clean up her mess.” She holds the cat out to him.
“Sorry, Rivers, I don’t negotiate with terrorists, no matter how cute they are.” He gives her a sly smile.
“Please? And why do y’all keep calling her a terrorist?” She looks exasperated. Oh, this is going to be so much fun.
“Because she terrorizes everyone and everything in this house. Hand her over. I’ll take her,” I say. He doesn’t know what’s coming either and we can’t have the furball getting hurt.
She looks confused, but hands her over and doesn’t ask questions. She turns to walk back to her room when Lucas comes barging through the front door and grabs her before she has time to react. He covers her mouth and drags her kicking and screaming out the door.
He won’t take her far, just to a van he rented. He’s been instructed to lock her in there for a few minutes and drive around the block a few times, then come back.
A half hour later she comes barging in the door in a murderous rage.
“Youcould’ve fucking warned me you were staging a kidnapping on me today!”she screams at me when they return, very visibly shaken.
“And take away the element of surprise? That’s not how kidnappings work, cupcake. This was a training exercise to show you how fast you can become a victim when you let your guard down. It will never happen in this house again, but from here on out, I bet you won’t forget to be more aware of your surroundings.”
I dodge the lamp she throws at my head. She’s so cute when she’s mad.
It’s been three days and she still hasn’t forgiven me for that. I smile with amusement. It was good for her to see what might actually happen while she’s working undercover for me.
Lucas slams Maya to the mat for what seems like the tenth time in the last hour. They’ve been at this for several days. While she is getting the hang of basic things, like being aware of her surroundings and avoiding threats the proactive way, she has yet to learn the reactive way to handle things.
“Focus! You’re not going to hurt me. When I come behind you, I want you to fend me off like I taught you,” Lucas orders.
He comes behind her again, covering her mouth with his hand so she can’t scream. She’s not tall enough to throw her head back into his nose, so she stomps on his foot like he taught her and then throws her fist back, effectively hitting him in the groin.
Even though he’s wearing a cup, it’s enough to make him loosen his grip where she can break free from under his arm.
“Good, let’s try that again!” Lucas tells her while doubled over and his voice an octave higher.
“I’m tired. Can we take a break?” she huffs and bends over, her hands pressing against her knees.
“Do you think an attacker cares if you are tired? They’re not going to stop for tea because you can’t catch your breath. You’ve just now succeeded with this move. You have a lot to learn. When you’re able to take me down on the mat, you can stop for the day.” Lucas takes another stance, ready to attack.
He is ruthless—there’s no tiring him out. He was a marine for twenty plus years. Volunteered to go to war every time the need arose.
