Page 71 of Volatile Waters

“Do you? Don’t force our hand.”

He swallowed then exhaled a shaky breath, his eyes staring at the floor, completely lost in thought. He blinked. He shook his head. “You… You truly found her?”

“It wasn’t difficult. You left a trail.”

His eyes raced to mine, and they were full of guilt.

“Why are you so stunned?”

“I, um,” he blinked again, “thought you were bluffing.”

He stared at the toy. “You don’t understand. You can’t.” He palmed his face. “Please, don’t hurt that innocent child.”

Should I have noticed that was an odd way to refer to his own kid? Most likely, but I had nothing to refer it to, so I handed him the toy. “Your daughter is safe for now, and your mistress won’t be harmed again.” I pointed to the elephant. “But you have to help me protect her.”

He couldn’t stop nodding, gripping the item. “Yes. Just don’t let them hurt her.”

“You have to do as I ask. There is no other choice.”

Letting his head fall forward, he closed his eyes. “I don’t even want to know what I’m agreeing to, but I will do what you ask.” He blew out a stressed breath while lifting his head. “Is my partner—my girlfriend, is she okay?”

“I do not know. She disappeared after that night.”

He blew out rapid breaths as if all this was finally becoming real for him. “That’s good. She’s safe now.”

“But—”

Wolf held up a hand as if my words may push him over his mental edge.

Nodding, I left the subject of his mother, wife, and daughter alone, and let him gather his wits. I wasn’t sure how long it would take since I had never been in his position before. The closest I was to caring about a woman was Fire. And since I planned on abducting her and making her my personal slave, I felt it was a moot point.

Wolf finally sighed then sat back against the wall again. “Will you hurt my family if I escape my new ‘owner’?”

I had never been asked that before. His mind was racing for solutions. “Once you are out of my hands, I am no longer your Master; therefore, you are no longer my responsibility.”

He kept nodding as if he needed a plan—a goal to strive for—and now had one.

Hoping Wolf had recovered enough, I decided it was time to proceed. I figured, what place better to get started than the basics? “Why did you become a doctor?”

His chuckle was not sincere. It was patronizing. “Like you care.”

“I’m still trying to apologize.”

“You suck at it.” He tucked his long hair behind his ear closet to me. I was thankful. It made it easier to see his face, even though I wasn’t sure why I wanted to.

“It should. I’ve never tried it before.”

That got his attention. “You’ve never been sorry?”

Half of my mouth smiled. “Didn’t say that. I simply don’t believe I have ever voiced it before.”

“Not even to your victims?”

“Victims?”

His full lips parted. “The people you sell?”

“Oh.” I looked to my hands in my lap. They rested on my outstretched legs. “No. Not once.”