by Vivi Paige
Then I went to work on the drawstring knotted around her head while she rubbed her wrists. I picked out the knot and pulled the string away. She quickly reached up and removed the sodden panties from her mouth.
I turned her around to face me, intent upon laying down the ground rules of our babysitting arrangement. A flash of anger sparked in her green eyes, and I saw the slap coming a mile away, but I didn’t stop her. I stood there and let her hit me. I figured she deserved that much satisfaction, at least.
And let me tell you, she put some stank on it. The resounding slap echoed through the largely empty house and left my cheek stinging.
“You fucking bastard,” she snarled. “I could have died in that suitcase. I don’t know who you think you are, but…”
My hand clamped over her mouth, and I backed her into a nearby chair until she sat. I glared at her for a long moment, so she knew without a shadow of a doubt who was in charge, and then removed my palm, now stained with her lipstick.
“Yes, I’m a fucking bastard. You have every right to hate me. But we’re going to be spending a few days together, so let’s lay down some ground rules. One: No screaming. Two: No hitting. Three: You will do what I say, when I say. Follow those rules, and you won’t be hurt.”
“What do you want?” She licked her lips. I swallowed hard because she was so damn smoking hot in that little trollop outfit, the pink tips of her nipples peeking through and her skirt ridden up scandalously high.
“Money, of course. The people I represent will be sending your father a ransom note soon. Speaking of which….”
I picked up an old-style Polaroid camera and snapped her picture. She blinked against the flash, and then the resulting photo machined its way out. I shook the photo as she laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, growing angry. I wasn’t used to being mocked in this type of situation when I clearly had all the power.
“You are, idiot,” she answered hotly. “If you knew the first thing about me, you’d know my dad would never waste money trying to get me back. He hates my guts.”
Well, fuck. There was a complication if I ever heard one.
Chapter Six
The Big Bad Bastard’s frown deepened, and fear tightened in my gut. As if I could be more freaked out!
Breathe, I reminded myself. Do your best not to lose your shit.
If there was ever a time for me to lose my shit, this would be the time. Unfortunately, my inner voice had a point. I managed to throw the Big Bad Wolf for a loop. As long as I kept him jumping, he’d be too busy trying to score his payday to fuck with me. Perhaps, literally.
I shuddered at the thought.
The worst part? I still wanted to bang him. He pulled a bait and switch back at the party. Despite the fact that I was in obvious danger, the most animalistic part of my brain still ached for him. That part of my brain was a dumbass.
“You’re lying.” The Big Bad Wolf’s frown morphed into a smirk. “Good try. You had me worried for a moment.”
“I’m not lying. He can’t stand me. I’m all but disowned. I had to sit at the kids’ table last Thanksgiving.” I probably shouldn’t have shared that, but I overshared when I was nervous. My podcasts would be three-hour rants if I didn’t take time to research and make detailed notes.
“He’s still your father.” Though the words were addressed to me, I got the feeling the Big Bad Wolf was trying to reassure himself. “He’ll pay for your life.”
“Maybe,” I shrugged. “Or maybe he’ll be glad I vanished.”
The Big Bad Wolf tipped his head to one side. The idiotic part of me that still thought he was hot shivered. My eyes darted to his mouth as he tapped the tip of his tongue against his top lip. While the idiot part of my brain thought about what his mouth could do, the rest of me fantasized about punching out his teeth.
Would I be able to? I was a pacifist on principle, but I figured if there was ever a time to use a free pass, it was now. Physically, though, I wasn’t sure if I could punch this guy. His chiseled jaw looked like it would break my hand if I tried.
“Why would he be glad?” the Big Bad Wolf murmured.
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.”
He knelt down in front of me so he could look me in the eyes. I went rigid, ready to lash out or pull away if needed. There wasn’t anywhere for me to go, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to fight him with all of my might.
“Why the fuck would I be joking?” His voice was a deep growl. Big Bad Wolf indeed.
“Seriously?” I did my best to sound nonchalant. I’d known guys like this before. They got off on control and dominance. Withholding that from him could either be really smart or insanely stupid. All I knew was my pride couldn’t cope with cowering. If he wanted to have a go at me, I wouldn’t make it easy for him.
“You’re his oldest daughter, his firstborn. His baby girl.” The Big Bad Wolf looked like he was going to trace a finger along my cheek but thought better of the action. Good. I would’ve bitten right through that fucking finger.
“You know enough about me to know that I’m the oldest, yet you don’t know anything else?” I tipped my head, just as he had done earlier. I held eye contact. I needed him to know I was mocking him.
When he didn’t answer, I took that as a sign to keep going.
“You must know what my father does for a living. Right? Or did you overhear someone say how rich he is and decide to kidnap me based on his checkbook?” I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes. “Amateur.”
“You’re not in a position to be mouthing off,” he snapped.
For a moment, I thought he might strike me. He certainly looked pissed enough to do it. I clenched my jaw, waiting for the hit, but it didn’t come. Maybe he was telling the truth when he said he wasn’t going to hurt me.
Except, getting put in a suitcase really fucking hurt.
“I’m just trying to make your job easier,” I shrugged. “After all, the sooner your job is done the sooner I never have to set eyes on you again. Right?”
“That’s the plan. Your father will pay.”
“If I were you, I’d come up with a plan B,” I said. “He’s not going to pay.”
“Why not? Did you sleep with the help or something?”
I rolled my eyes and scoffed. I tried not to look the Big Bad Wolf in the eye for more than a few seconds at a time. I had no idea what to make of him. Most of me was afraid, very afraid. Yet, I hadn’t reached a point of blind terror. I knew I couldn’t trust anything that came out of his pretty mouth, yet I also knew he spoke the truth when he said he wouldn’t hurt me.
I wasn’t about to start singing his praises just yet. The bar for men was pretty damn low, but not so low that I would forgive him literally fucking kidnapping me.
This guy was a Bad Guy, but he might not be a bad guy. At least, that was the only way my adrenaline-filled, tipsy brain could rationalize everything. If the rationalizing stopped, I’d go into a full-blown panic. That wouldn’t get me out of here any quicker.
“Many times,” I smirked. “But that’s not why my father hates me.”
“Hate?” He laughed dryly. “That’s a strong claim.”
“It’s true. You know who my father is. Right?”
“Hunter Shaw,” he recited. “The biggest and best gun manufacturer in the country.”
“Right,” I nodded. “And I’m his bleeding heart, pro-gun-control, liberal daughter. A disgrace.”
“No way,” he scoffed. “How can you come from a family like that and—”
“Have my own thoughts, opinions, and worldviews?” I cut in.
He looked me over for a moment before nodding. “Well, yes, actually.”
“It wasn’t easy,” I said. “Many family dinners ended early because the arguing wouldn’t stop. For all the differences between my father and me, we share one important trait.”
“Stubbornness, no doubt,” he sighed, effectively taking the wind out of my sails.
; “Yes, actually.” I looked away once more. “That’s how I know he won’t pay.”
“You’re still his flesh and blood.” His voice softened. Not by much. Most people wouldn’t have noticed the subtle change. Thanks to my unique upbringing, I recognized those minute changes more than most. Before I was smart enough to have my own ideas, my father had me sit in on deals. I couldn’t sit at the table, of course. I had to sit at a small desk in the corner while the men talked about weapons and money.
“I think you’re underestimating the love a father has for his daughter,” the Big Bad Wolf said. Oddly sentimental for someone who’d stuffed my panties in my mouth and now held me for ransom.
“I think you’re underestimating my father’s love for his money,” I replied. “I’ve cost him millions.”
This surprised my captor. His brows shot up before he could regain his composure. “Millions? You’re exaggerating.”
“I have a podcast,” I said, realizing too late that it sounded pretty lame considering the circumstances. “On more than one occasion, I’ve outlined exactly how my father has profited from the loose gun control laws in this country, despite the lives lost.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the Big Bad Wolf smirked. “Explain to me how a podcast,” he spoke through his laughter, “cost the Shaw Rifle empire millions.”
“New screening regulations were put forth,” I said. “My father didn’t comply. I leaked the proof. He had to sift through lawsuit after lawsuit for two years before it all went away.”
“Shit.” The Big Bad Wolf drawled and sat back on his heels. “Must be one hell of a podcast.”
“Do you believe me now?” I asked. “He’s not going to pay. If anything, he might pay you to send me away somewhere.”
That could be a win-win. I didn’t really want to relocate but… desperate times and all that. I could live in Brooklyn if it was absolutely necessary. Or maybe France? I could be happy in France. Bread and wine were all a girl needed, right?
“You’re not joking. Are you?” He fixed me with an unshakable, calculating stare. Once again, I couldn’t look into his eyes for more than a few moments. I hated breaking eye contact. It felt like I was somehow… submitting. Like hell would I ever submit to the likes of him.
Except you almost did, a little voice whispered in my mind. You were practically begging for it.
My cheeks grew hot.
“Yeah, I’m joking,” I scoffed. “I decided that right now when I’m chained up like an animal, half-naked, with a strange man would be the perfect time to work on my stand-up routine.”
To my surprise, he laughed.
“You’re a funny one,” he said. “I’ll give you that. Losing millions of your father’s billions isn’t enough for him to sell your life away. He’ll pay.”
“Leaking his information wasn’t my only accomplishment,” I said. “I’ve led protests during his press conferences. I’ve vandalized his cars. Once, I tried to set fire to one of his assembly warehouses.”
“No shit.” It might have been the adrenaline, but I swore he looked impressed.
“Well, I lit a match and tossed it in the dumpster behind the building,” I amended. “No one was hurt. Nothing was even damaged. He was still pissed though.”
“I don’t think that’s enough for him to abandon you.”
His words send a shiver down my spine.
“You’ve clearly never been the wayward child,” I said. “You don’t know what it’s like to be the black sheep.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He sat down fully, about five feet away from me. He couldn’t reach me if I were to try something. Then again, I couldn’t reach him, either. We were both as safe as we were going to be, though he definitely had the upper hand. I was chained up for fuck’s sake. What could I do?
Physically, nothing.
“What?” I frowned.
“I enlisted in the Army,” he explained. “That’s a big no-no in my family.”
“Not a patriotic bunch?”
“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “We view the law as a set of guidelines more than actual rules. That tends to piss off the people who make and enforce said rules. They’re just mad we beat their system.”
“Is that truly how you see it?”
“I know you may not believe me, but I have my own rules that I abide by. I don’t agree to do jobs that violate that code.” A strange look came across his face, just for a split second, before disappearing altogether.
“What a hero you are,” I muttered.
“I never said I was a hero. I don’t pretend to be,” he snapped.
“That’s for damn sure. Heroes usually do the rescuing, not the capturing.” When he didn’t say anything, I decided to press a little harder. Probably not the smartest idea, but if I could find a weak point to exploit, maybe I could get out of here faster. “Is this to get back in daddy’s good graces?”
“I don’t care if I’m in his good graces or not,” he said with a dark look in his eye.
“Then why do this? You’re not giving this your all.”
“Are you criticizing my kidnapping methods?” He moved forward until his face was mere inches from mine. He moved so quickly I didn’t have time to prepare myself. I pushed back into the wall as far as I could go, and I damned myself for not holding it together better.
The Big Bad Wolf knew he had the upper hand, but I didn’t want him to know how much. Another unexpected lesson from my father reared its ugly head.
Never show your hand.
“I can make this far worse for you, little heiress.”
“I’m not an heiress,” I snapped.
“So, you paid for your clothing, your phone, your drinks at the club, and everything else on your own? Do you pay your rent? What about your car payments? Aside from your podcast, do you work?”
I clamped my mouth shut, seething with anger.
“That’s what I thought, little heiress.” He backed up until he was sitting once more.
“I’d rather you call me Red Riding Hood,” I mumbled. “Besides, you know my name.”
“I do,” he nodded. “It’s Scarlett Shaw.”
“Do I get to know yours?”
He looked at me for a long time before speaking. “No.”
“That’s hardly fair,” I pouted. “If I guess correctly, will you tell me?”
“What would you guess?” Humor danced in his eyes. If he wasn’t so hell-bent on playing his part, he might’ve smiled.
“Stavros or something,” I shrugged. “All the bad guys from the movies have names like that.”
“This isn’t a movie, Little Red.” He got to his feet and turned his back to me. “Neither of us are that lucky.”
Chapter Seven
“I’m hungry,” Scarlett lifted her gaze from her lap to meet my stare. “And cold. This outfit wasn’t designed to be practical.”
I glanced over at her from the boarded-up window and frowned. I’d been peering out through the cracks between the boards at a pair of senior citizens enjoying a stroll down the beach. This didn’t sit well with me, as the seclusion of my safe house was its main selling point. It seemed complaints from the locals caused the water treatment plan to change its hours of operation.
Now the foul smells were mostly prevalent at night, meaning the beach wasn’t the unpleasant place it once was during the daylight. I knew I’d have to be very intent upon security, particularly if I ever needed to leave the safe house.
Scarlett would not enjoy the process one bit. Normally I didn’t care, but despite my best efforts, she grew on me. And it went far beyond a physical attraction. We had some common ground between us, both being the black sheep of our family lines. So, if I could avoid making her suffer, I would.
At the time, I wasn’t worried. The safe house was to have been fully stocked with groceries and sundry items, as well as a change of clothes for my “guest.” I shrugged and moved into the kitchen.
“I’ll make dinn
er,” I said, walking past her.
“If you unchain me, I can help,” she called hopefully.
“Not going to happen,” I snarled, though my tone seemed far less harsh than I’d intended. I think I knew then that she was really getting under my skin but didn’t want to admit the truth.
I threw open the first cabinet door, and found it empty of everything but dust. Shrugging, I moved on to the next. And the next. Every time, with growing frustration, I found nothing but cobwebs met my efforts.
“What the fuck, Devlin?” I muttered and then grimaced. I had just dropped my brother’s real name in front of Scarlett. Hopefully she didn’t hear me.
“Who’s Devlin?” she called from the living space, and I cringed. Some professional.
“Nobody,” I said, shaking my head. “A ghost. I’m sorry, but it looks like I’ll have to go out for food.”
I could see her emerald eyes narrow and grow calculating. She was thinking her chances of escape shot through the roof if I wasn’t present. Proving her wrong was not going to be a happy task.
“I see. What about something to wear?”
I looked over at her, still wearing the skimpy Red Riding Hood costume, sans underwear and with her bodice drawstring missing so she nearly flashed her tits every time she moved. No wonder she was cold and forced to cover herself with her arms.
“Probably not,” I said with more regret than I thought I would. “But I’ll pick you up some clothing, too.”
“Do you need my measurements?” she asked helpfully. I arched an eyebrow at her.
“No need.” I’d already gotten all of her info when I hacked her phone.
“I see,” she swallowed hard. Her gaze couldn’t quite meet my own.
“What’s your problem?” I tried to sound tough, but it came out more like a soft request.
“I—I’m afraid to say it out loud,” she said with a shiver.
“You’ve already been kidnapped, Scarlett,” I shrugged. “Your situation can’t get much worse.”
“I can think of several ways it could be worse.” She laughed and then her eyes sparkled. “I can think of several ways it could be better, too.”