Another sharp inhale. “What is it?”
“The man who kidnapped us has—”
“Us? Who’s with you?”
“Zena.”
There was a soft curse before he said, “I’m listening.”
Zena clamped a hand around my arm and I glanced at her, trying hard not to beg my father to come find us. “We’re okay, dad. As long as you don’t report it or involve any of your friends, we won’t be harmed.” My father was well-known, and he only had to pick up the phone and dial just one number for hell to break loose.
“How long?” he asked.
“A month.”
“Jesus, Ray, you’re telling me I’m to sit idly by while my son is God knows where and held by who the fuck knows?”
“Please, dad,” my voice came out in a rasp as I silently begged for him to understand. “So far, they’ve done nothing to hurt us.”
“Then why keep you?”
I glanced at Lorenzo and his brow shot up. “I don’t know.”
“What did you see, Rayden?”
I swallowed against the sudden ache of tears tightening my jaw. “It’s better if I don’t tell you. But I need you to speak to Zena’s parents. Can you do that?”
There was a long pause before he replied. “I will, son. I’m not sure they’ll take it well.”
“Please. I need you to convince them. We’re safe, we just can’t come home right now. I’ve got to go now.”
“Okay,” I wasn’t sure if the break in his voice was him trying to remain strong because I sure as fuck didn’t feel like I could handle this situation calmly. Desperate to scream out, I gripped the phone tight. “Rayden?”
“Yeah.”
“I love you, son, take care of yourself. Please.”
“Sure, dad.” I cut the call before the threatening tears fell. Zena curved her hands around me, her hold tight, telling me she was aware of my internal struggle. I glanced at Lorenzo and the fucker actually smiled.
“I’m impressed,” he said then held out his hand for the phone. I handed it over and watched him break it in half with such ease, it had me gaping open-mouthed. “Are you homesick, Rayden?” I shrugged, not giving in to his taunt. He wouldn’t break me. I’d make sure of that despite his promise to do so. When I said nothing, he stood, walked around his table and leaned his butt against the edge. “Sit.” He pointed to the couch behind us.
Frowning at his order, I disobeyed him and dropped to the one on his right instead which meant he had to turn his head to look at me. Zena slid down next to me and we both looked at him. It felt like we were back at school, waiting for the obnoxious teacher to give us our punishment after we’d tested his limits.
Hands folded over his bare chest, he studied us, eyes hooded and dark with something I couldn’t read. “What’s Rayden like in bed, Zena?” his question startled me, and I felt her tense. I opened my mouth to say something, but his warning glare had me grinding my molars. “I asked you a question, girl?”
She looked at him. “We um...we haven’t,” she paused for a second, “we haven’t slept together.”
“Why not?”
“We never got the chance to,” she whispered.
“Never got the chance to or you aren’t into him?”
Even though I hated him for putting her on the spot, I tensed, waiting for her answer. She looked at me, her smile slow. “I am into you, you know that, right,” she said to me instead of answering him. I nodded.
“Then prove it.”
My gaze jerked to him and I wasn’t quick enough to hide my shock. Lorenzo noticed. The quick lift of an eyebrow dared me to speak. I chose not to, not out of fear but hesitation. I was out of my league with this man. Who the fuck knew why he did what he did?
