Page 50 of Two Favors Repaid

“It was good talking to you, Emma. How’s your arm?”

Emma stared at Jessy for a fraction of a second before touching her left bicep and rubbing it gently with her right hand. “It still hurts but it already feels much better. Thank you for your help the other day.”

“Anytime,” Jessy said, turning her attention to the jet ski’s throttle.

Emma shivered, watching the jet ski as it became just a small dot in the distance. The biologist wasn’t afraid of speed.

For an instant Emma regretted her decision. The three of them might have been better able to overpower Ford—then she shook herself. She’d done the right thing. Jessy was young and beautiful, exactly Ford’s type. Who knew what Ford would do to her if given half the chance. Emma wouldn’t have that on her conscience.

“She’s gone,” Emma whispered, calling out to the monster below.

#

Rob

“That was classy, angel. Real classy,” Ford boomed as he dragged Emma back down the stairs. “You should have seen that, Chief Deputy, Emma here is a great actress.”

Rob’s arms and shoulders protested at holding the same position for so long, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain of knowing Emma was still here. He felt tears spring to his eyes. However unlikely it was, he’d hoped she would take the opportunity to escape. But he should have known Emma would never do that. He blinked his eyes a couple times to get rid of the tears, was only half successful since one eye was still covered in drying blood.

“Fuck you, Ford,” he said, straining against the handcuffs.

“Maybe I should fuck her,” Ford threatened, “right over this kitchen table, while you watch.”

Rob stared at Ford silently. He’d go on his knees, beg until he didn’t have any breath left, to spare Emma that, but he knew begging wouldn’t help in this case. In fact, it would only serve to drive Ford on. He needed to find a way to distract Ford. Rob had a knife inside his boot. If he could only just find a way to reach it—

“You really are no fun, Chief Deputy. Maybe I’ll—”

“Would you like some breakfast, Doctor Ford?” Emma asked from the doorway.

Both men swiveled their heads to look at her.

“It’s been a long time since anybody called me doctor, angel. I think I like it. Would you cook me some?”

Emma nodded. “Sure. Let me just see what there is … I can make you some eggs and toast.”

Ford laughed, toying with the jamming device he’d brought on board. “I think you’ve just had a brilliant idea, Emma. We do have some time to waste, after all.”

Time to waste? What are you waiting for, Ford?

“I do hope you’re not getting any ideas, Emma,” Ford said casually after a moment. He’d dropped the jamming device beside him and picked up the large blade again. “Not only do I know how to use this, I love using it. I will carve out your name on your boyfriend’s face if you so much as look like you’re thinking of doing something.”

“I’m just grabbing the eggs,” Emma said, opening the small fridge. She leaned down, not realizing how desirable her butt looked as she did so.

Rob knew he wasn’t the only one looking. He needed to distract Ford somehow, and he could think of only one way of doing it, which was by speaking about the man’s favorite subject—himself.

“How did you escape, Ford?” he asked in a low voice.

“It was much easier than I expected, actually. All it took was a friend … and quite a lot of cash. Totally worth it, though, to spend the morning here with the two of you. I can just feel my life turning around now that I’m righting past mistakes.”

“What are we waiting for? What did you mean when you said we’ve got some time?”

“Well, you and Emma here only have a bit of time, of course. You do know you’re both going to die.”

Emma dropped a pan onto the sink, which clattered loudly. Instead of picking it up, she put both hands on the counter, steadying herself. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed quietly.

“Did I scare you, Emma? Were you hoping I’d let you and your boyfriend go after breakfast?” Ford asked, waving the knife at Rob’s face. “The chief deputy’s known all along that I intend for you to die, right?”

Rob stood very still.