I feel Danny’s eyes move along my legs, and I fidget in my seat. “I bet you do.”
I lean forward, placing my elbows on my legs. “Look Danny, he doesn’t have the money. I however, can get it to you once I’ve sold my property, but that could be a few months. Surely someone like you could wait a bit longer? I mean, you don’t exactly look strapped for cash.”
Danny scoffs, smiling. He places his drink down and he too leans forward in his seat. “I tell you what, princess. Spend the night with me and I’ll half the debt.”
I flinch, and for a minute I’m speechless. “You really have me pegged as that type of girl?”
He smiles at me. “No, but it was worth a try.”
“Give me three months to get you the money,” I ask, but his answer doesn’t come as his phone rings.
“Yes,” he answers in a clipped tone. “It’s too late now. Tomorrow, at the old industrial park opposite the Crown pub. You know it?” He ends the call and throws his phone beside him.
He studies me. “Tyler has come through. See, it’s amazing what some gentle persuasion can achieve.”
I arch a brow. “Kidnapping someone from a club is hardly gentle persuasion.”
Danny smiles tightly. “Have I hurt you in any way though?”
“No, but would you have done if he’d said he didn’t have it?”
He smirks at me, his dark eyes studying me. “I guess we’ll never know, now.”
Danny has been a gentleman with me tonight, but I have a feeling that he has a whole other side to him that isn’t so nice. You don’t get to where he has in such a short time without being ruthless.
“So,” I say, patting my thighs, ready to go. “When do we leave?’
“Oh, I’ve said it can wait until morning now.”
My eyes widen. “You said what? You can’t expect me to stay here tonight?”
He half smiles at me. “Oh, but I can. Beside, it’s only a few hours. I need sleep.”
Stretching, he picks up his empty glass and walks towards me and I lean back in my seat wondering what the hell he has planned. He leans down into my space and then with a knowing smile he picks up my empty glass from the table beside me and walks towards the kitchen.
Holy shit! I thought for a minute he was either going to come over and try something on me or hurt me. I feel such an idiot for the way I shrank away in fear. He walks back over after he’s loaded our glasses into the dishwasher and gestures for me to follow him.
“You can have the spare room.”
I frown at him, not budging. “You seriously think I’m going to be able to sleep. Not a chance.”
He shrugs and chews on the inside of his mouth. “Suit yourself. Remotes there.” He gestures to the large marble coffee table. “If you change your mind, it’s the second door down the hallway.” He turns his back on me and heads off to bed. “Oh and Everly, the doors locked, so don’t get any ideas of trying to sneak out.”
I glare at his back. “Arsehole.” I mutter to myself when I’m sure he can’t hear me. I listen out for his bedroom door closing and I finally feel I’m able to take a breath. Realising I may as well make myself comfortable, I grab the remote and turn the television on. Sunrise couldn’t come fast enough.
Exhaustion must have won me over in the end because I awake to the sounds of clattering and movement. I panic for a second when I open my eyes and don’t recognise where I am, but then I remember I’ve been kidnapped by this arsehole that Ty owes money to. I sit up, alert and on edge.
“Good morning,” Danny greets from where he stands at the kitchen island.
“Is it?”
He grins dryly. “You’d have been comfier in my guest bed.”
“What time is it? I demand, having no clue without my phone.
“It’s six-thirty. We’ll be leaving shortly and then you can be reunited with your friend.” He says friend like he doesn’t believe that is what Ty and I are. “Can I make you a coffee before we go?”
“I’m fine,” I reply. It felt weird accepting his hospitality when I am in effect his hostage.
“Suit yourself,” He gestures with his head towards the hallway. “Bathroom is third on the right if you want to freshen up. You’ll find a spare toothbrush.”
I snigger. I can’t help it, and his dark eyes snap to mine. “Sorry, it’s just weird that you’re holding me hostage, but you’ve left me out a toothbrush to brush my teeth with. I mean, shouldn’t I be tied to a chair in a dark room or something?”
He studies me intently for a beat. “It can be arranged.” He dismisses me looking down at his watch. “Grab your bathroom break now, because we’re leaving in five.”
Realising my bladder won’t hold out until I’m back home, I rush to my feet and scurry past him and find the bathroom. I look in the mirror and wince. Jeez! My mascara was all smudged under my eyes. I turn on the tap and splash my face. I run my fingers through my hair and look half human again. I was ready to go home and be reunited with my guy, who is likely raging mad that I have been taken like this.
Once we’re in the car, Danny is glued to the screen of his phone. Leaving me to sit there and watch him or look out at the view.
“Can I ask you a favour?”
He looks up at me in mild amusement. “You want a favour from me, princess? I don’t do favours.”
I try not to roll my eyes, I really do, but I fail. “Don’t let Tyler work for you again. He needs to keep on the straight and narrow for his family’s sake.”
Danny scoffs. “You think I’d give him another shot after this? I only give
