Recognizing I was at a disadvantage, I pulled in a deep breath, slid into the seat and kept my gaze trained on the floor. The door closed with a soft swoosh and I expected him to drive off. When he didn’t, I looked up to find his eyes on me with a look I couldn’t quite read. Disbelief? Curiosity? If I thought Remo scared me, I was wrong. There was an inexplicable menace to this man’s good looks that women and men alike would not only find daunting but an attractive quality.
I was determined to fight him though or die trying. “You can’t keep us here. This situation—”
He moved so quickly, I didn’t see it coming. His hand, large and strong, wrapped around my neck, squeezing as he pressed me back into the seat, his face inches from mine, nostrils flared, and eyes glued to mine. The warmth of his breath brushing over my face, the only indication a human being resided beneath that cold veneer. I tried to swallow but my throat closed, my skin clammy, yet I could feel perspiration slide down my spine.
“This situation is not up for debate. You or your lady friend don’t have a say in anything that happens from here on out. Do you understand me?” he sneered. “I’ve been patient with you so far, but the clocks about to run out on that. If I ask you to do something, I expect you to, no questions asked. What I say, goes, boy. If I ask you to get on the floor and waddle like a fucking duck, I expect you to fucking quack like one too. Whatever lifestyle you’re used to, forget it exists until I say different.” His face inched closer, his lips and nose almost touching mine. My instinct to pull away was hard to control, but my resolve not to cower remained. “You don’t know me, boy. So, that cocky attitude you’ve got going for you, forget it. I’ve killed men for far less and I can break you in, when you least expect it. You might think you are, but you’re not in control here. I am.” His grasp tightened, squeezing until I gasped, my nostrils working overtime as survival instinct took over. “I’ll say it again, if you didn’t hear me the first time. I could kill you with a flick of my wrist, get rid of your fucking body and no one would give a flying fuck. Do I make myself clear?” he hissed out the last part.
He eased off his hold on my neck and I nodded, slowly. I waited for him to back away, but he continued watching me. Waiting for what, I had no clue. ‘You made your point’ I wanted to say but refrained. This close, this intense, I should’ve squirmed, did something to let him know I was uncomfortable, but I didn’t, and I wasn’t. My chest expanded as I forced myself to take a breath and think of something to say. The expression on his face remained indifferent, like him staring at me was a normal act.
Finally, he pulled away but didn’t drive off. His hand on the wheel, his index finger tapped a slow beat against the black leather. He stared outside as though lost in thought and I massaged my sore throat. Despite his death grip, I was glad I hadn’t passed out like a fucking pussy. My brain it seemed still hadn’t accepted the notion that I’d been kidnapped and honestly, I was behaving like a real prick. There was no reason for him to keep me alive and then I thought of Zena and what she must be going through right now.
“How far did you think you would’ve gotten if I let you go?” he asked, his voice quiet yet no less stern.
“How did you know you’d find me here?” I asked instead of answering.Shit. Here I go again, and he’d just warned me.
His gaze flicked to me, and I could’ve sworn I detected a hint of a smile. Maybe I was just imagining it. “Cameras. Motion sensors throughout the property,” he replied.
“Is that how you knew I was in the basement back at the club?”
He nodded turning away to start the engine. “Next time you want to enter a place undetected. Don’t.”
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it and his eyes jerked back to my face. I waited for him to say something, he didn’t. “Nice car,” I said, not sure why I was even trying to what? Make friends?
“You want to drive?” His question snapped me out of my reflections, and I must’ve looked dumbstruck because his brow shot up. “Yes?”
I nodded. He climbed out the car and I scooted over the center console into the driver’s seat. When he slid in next to me, he nodded for me to start the car. I did and the purr of the engine was music to my ears, the slight tremble beneath me, almost arousing in its effect and I chuckled at the thought.
Lorenzo’s brow quirked up as if questioning my response. “Wreck it and I won’t even tell you how you’ll pay for it,” his words were low, but I didn’t miss the underlying threat. “She’s built for speed, so step on the gas only when you get a feel for her. Take the curves wide and ease up on the gas when you’re closing in on the sharper bends. Treat her with respect and she’ll give you a fucking ride of your life.”
Glancing at him as I shifted the car into drive, I found myself wondering if he treated his women with respect or aggressively like the people he killed. The car shot off, the second I touched the gas pedal, pulling my attention. “Fuck, yes,” I yelled and stupidly grateful I’d twisted my left ankle. With the automatic transmission, I didn’t need it to drive this baby.
I was surprised when Lorenzo hit the stereo and hard bass boomed out the rear of the vehicle. Laughing, I looked at him. The same blank expression greeted me. Fuck, did the man not know how to laugh? Lifting my shoulders on a slight shrug I concentrated on the drive. Excitement pumped adrenaline into my veins, making me delirious. And as the car ate up the miles in quick succession, for just a moment I forgot where I was, with who I sat and the reason I was sitting there in the first place. Both my father and cousin, Trent, owned beautiful cars but they had nothing on this baby. She was stunning, powerful and had her driver by the balls. Although I pushed the speed limits, given the secluded roads around the property, there was nothing to stop me.
It was only when I brought the car to a halt, did I look at Lorenzo again as he dropped the volume on the music. “Shit. That was so cool. The best birthday present—” I trailed off. For a moment I’d forgotten this wasn’t Dad or Trent or Austin but a stranger, a very dangerous stranger I’d unfortunately crossed.
Lorenzo’s smile was slight. “Take her in.” He gestured to the main gates. Surprised, he was allowing me to take the car into the property, I did. When I parked the car, he turned to look at me. “About escaping. If you ever pull another stunt like that, you’ll never see your little girlfriend again. Toe the line, Rayden. Next time, I won’t ask nicely. Understood?” Okay, so much for me thinking he was friendly. I nodded, climbing out the car after him.
I glanced around the garage, taking in several sports cars and two SUVs that had me smiling. As Lorenzo leaned against the Lambo, watching me, I walked around the cars running my hands over the body and peering in through the windows. Fuck. These men seriously knew their shit when it came to cars. Once again, I was in awe, and I knew I shouldn’t be.
“Have you eaten?” Lorenzo’s question made me step away from the Red Ferrari to look at him.
“No.”
He seemed to contemplate his next words then said, “Would you prefer to be locked in the basement and given scraps to eat?” I shook my head. “Then why the fuck have you not eaten the food you were given?”
Instead of being bound and gagged, he’d just let me drive his expensive car, yet some inner niggle cautioned me, not to cross him again. A quick answer evaded me as I played around with the ones sitting at the tip of my tongue.
