I tilt my head to the side and widen my eyes in exasperation, as though the answer was obvious.
The corner of his mouth hitches up into a sarcastic grin. “Ah, going for a swim…naked. Is that right, Sister?”
I just shrug nonchalantly in response, then give him a pointed look as though he wasn’t exactly part of my plans for this little adventure.
“Yes, I’m sure I came as somewhat of a surprise. Still, I can only wonder what Our Father, Lord in heaven would have to say about such sinful delights, not to mention Mother Agnes.”
I stupidly blink in surprise.
He laughs. “So, you are at least familiar with the convent as part of this act.”
In retrospect, it wasn’t all that stupid to give that away. If I’m going to screw up in giving him information, it might as well work in my favor. I can still maintain my front as a member of the convent.
“It should be clear to you by now that I’m not letting you go, not after what you probably saw me do.”
He scrutinizes me as though trying to confirm that I did indeed see him disappear into that cave. I feign ignorance, my eyes wide with bewilderment. That only causes him to laugh and shake his head.
“Good show, but I somehow don’t trust you.”
I maintain the facade, which only makes him laugh harder. I kick out in anger and frustration, no longer caring about my modesty.
“Stop it!” He growls, grabbing my ankle in a firm hold. His dark eyes are like venom as he stares at me. “Don’t mistake my laughter for amusement. Right now, you are trouble that I don’t need in my life, trouble I could easily get rid of to save me the hassle. I suggest not making yourself more of a headache.”
That went well.
Still, I have one more trick up my sleeve, the one that always worked with my father. My lips begin trembling and my face scrunches up. All it takes is thinking about my mother and sisters to conjure up real tears. The mother I never got to know, generous and kind according to my older sisters and father. Lorraine, my oldest sister, who I also never got to know. Layla, who was always indulgent with me, satisfying my curiosity about the world around me. Lucinda, who always challenged me, helping me hone my wits and cunning.
None of them deserved to die.
“Tears don’t work on me, Sister,” he says, snapping me out of my sentimental grief. “You’d do better to use those lips to start talking rather than tremble. Or perhaps I can find a better use for them.” His mouth cocks up into a devilish grin.
Sniffing away my tears, I glare at him. I bear my teeth, letting him know just what he’s in for should he try that option.
“Well, well,” he muses, giving me a look of mild admiration. “I suggest you maintain that fight inside of you. You’re definitely going to need it, especially when my men get a hold of you.”
I blink at that. His men?
What the hell does he mean by that?
He rises up to stare down at me. I force myself to keep my eyes from wandering down below his neck.
“I’m going to go get your clothes. No need to leave any evidence of you behind. Perhaps the sisters will assume you’ve been raptured.” He smirks, and his eyes scan my nakedness. “What with being the good little Catholic that you obviously are.”
His eyes glance up to the handcuffs. “Don’t try to escape while I’m gone,” he says in a taunting voice.
As soon as he disappears above, I do just that. At first, I tug at the handhold he’s cuffed me to. Even using my full weight as leverage doesn’t cause it to budge. I sigh and stare at it in frustration.
The next step is obviously to try squeezing my hand through the cuff. That’s another futile attempt, only causing it to go sore.
When he comes back, he’s wearing pants. I’m almost disappointed. Then, I think about his threats. Perhaps this is for the best.
“I’ve left your clothes out to get dry after swimming them here. You might as well settle in; we’re going for a ride.” He tosses the sheet back on the bed for me to cover myself. “Since you are so insistent on remaining silent, I suggest you keep that up from now on. If someone else discovers you are down here, that will mean trouble for the both of you. I can just as easily kill two people as I can one. Don’t forget that.”
He opens a drawer, and my eyes go wide when he pulls out a gun. He makes sure I get a good look at it.
Before leaving again, he smirks and brings one finger up to his lips, reminding me to be quiet.
I watch him go and jerk the handcuffs even more, knowing it’s pointless.
Because not one minute later, the boat stirs to life.
Chapter Six Enrique
Hopefully, the threat is enough to keep her in line. I’ve already proven to her that I’m willing to kidnap. That should convince her that it wouldn’t take much for me to move beyond that.
I’m no killer.
Not yet, anyway.
I have a few months to exact the ultimate revenge on my biological father. I still savor the thought of watching him take his last breath.
The son of the man he killed that night, Magnus Reinhardt, has assured me that if I don’t complete this mission by the end of the summer, he will.
Until then, Richard Coleman is mine.
I put the thought of that devil out of my mind to focus on this surprising bit of treasure I find myself laden with. As I guide the boat out of the lagoon, I curse my luck in running into her.
Then, I raise one eyebrow as I reconsider that thought. Her body has a sensual allure, curves in all the right places. The color of her skin, with
