Captive (Igniting the Flame Book 1)

by Dani Matthews

  I have no idea how to respond. The only thought that comes to mind is that he seems kinder than his brother.

  There’s an awkward moment of silence.

  “Not much of a talker, eh?” I hear Maverick murmur to Anton.

  “I can talk just fine,” I say coolly.

  “Ah, there she is. I hear you’re giving my brother quite the hard time.”

  “He deserves it.”

  Maverick chuckles. “That he does,” he agrees.

  Another moment of silence descends.

  “I’d better shove off. I just wanted to see how you were before I take off for the club. Can I bring you anything to ease your boredom before I go?” he offers.

  “A gun would be nice,” I say dryly. That would certainly make my life much easier.

  “I don’t think anyone’s going to want to play target practice with you,” he muses.

  Anton speaks up before I can reply back. “She’ll be sleeping pretty soon anyway. I’m going to increase her pain medication, so she’ll be doped up for the rest of the day.”

  “Probably for the best. That way she stays out of trouble.” A hand squeezes mine once more. “Later.” His footsteps move away, and then I hear the door open and close.

  “Has he been in here before?” I ask curiously. He’d seemed comfortable just walking right in.

  “He’s dropped by once or twice.”

  “Why?”

  “Why wouldn’t he? As a member of the clan, you’re considered family.”

  “Oh.”

  “Lethe’s been in on and off. Kai’s been in once, and Tenley insisted Cassius bring her down so she could see you. She was quite upset,” Anton informs me.

  I could care less about Lethe, but I’m surprised to hear that Kai had been by. “Why was Kai here?”

  “To see how you were doing.”

  I’m amazed that he’d even bothered.

  Anton touches my shoulder. “You’re known as trouble, but you’re growing on us,” he says affectionately.

  I don’t know what to say.

  His hand leaves my shoulder. “Want me to wait a bit before I increase your IV?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  “You’ll fall asleep shortly.”

  “That’s fine.”

  * * *

  The first thing I notice when I groggily come back to consciousness is Lethe’s masculine scent. Behind my closed eyelids, memories of him in my bed—bringing me pleasure—flash in my mind until I shut them down. I try to open my eyes, but they are still quite swollen, and all I see is a sliver of dull light.

  Is he standing beside the bed? Or is he just standing there, watching me?

  “Lethe?” I murmur, trying to fight off the drowsiness that I’m still feeling. The pain in my head has faded, so I know that I’m still quite doped up on pain meds.

  I hear movement coming from the vicinity of the left side of the bed. “Right here,” I hear him say, and his hand touches mine.

  An awkward silence descends over us.

  “No one’s ever going to hurt you again,” he finally says, breaking the quietness. There’s a hint of fierceness in his tone, and I’m surprised by it. He sounds like he actually cares, though I know that’s not true. All he wants is what I can provide him—power.

  “Is he dead?” I ask. “The man that took me?” I need to know.

  “Yes,” he says simply.

  “Good.” I’m still aware that his hand is touching mine. It feels weird.

  “Want to talk about what happened?” he asks, and I can sense that he’s watching me intently.

  “No.”

  He releases a sigh. “I don’t want to be the enemy, Arista.”

  “Then quit acting like one.”

  He says nothing.

  “Who attacked the warehouse?” I ask as I fight back a yawn.

  “Just a rival clan. It’s been taken care of.”

  “So what happens now? Are you going to chain me to your bed for trying to escape again?” I ask derisively.

  “I wouldn’t do that.”

  I make a sarcastic sound in the back of my throat. “I have no idea what you would or wouldn’t do in order to get your way. I don’t know you at all.”

  “So get to know me,” he suggests.

  “You are holding me captive,” I remind. “What part of that makes you think I want to get to know you?”

  “What can I do to help you feel less like a prisoner?” he asks in a reasonable voice.

  “You can let me go.”

  “Right, because that worked out so well for you recently, didn’t it?” he replies dryly.

  He has a point, and I tug my hand from his.

  I hear footsteps as the door opens across the room. At first, I think Lethe has left until I hear Anton’s voice. “Oh. I didn’t realize she had company. I’ll come back in a bit.”

  “No,” I say sharply. I don’t want to talk to Lethe anymore.

  A heavy silence fills the room.

  “Good night, Arista,” Lethe says coolly. I hear movement and then the opening and closing of the door.

  He’s gone.

  “Anton?” I ask.

  “Yes?” His voice sounds closer to the bed now.

  “When can I go back to my own room?”

  “Probably tomorrow. I expect you’ll be able to open your eyes further by then.”

  Twenty-six

  Lethe

  It’s late, and yet I’ve once again found my way back to the medical room. Arista’s sleeping, and Anton had told me that she’ll likely sleep through the rest of the night. As I sit in the chair beside the bed, I watch the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.

  Earlier this evening, she’d been cool and distant towards me, and I’d actually found myself disappointed. I’d been hoping that her experience would have thawed her hatred towards me, but it looks like I’m still back at square one.

  I rub my jaw and frustration rises within me. I don’t know what to do to break down those invisible barriers she’s erected around herself. I’d tried reasoning with her, I’ve tried seduction, I’ve tried scaring her into defeat…

  What the fuck do I do now?

  Every day that passes is a day that I know Davina is suffering. I feel helpless, and it’s not very often that I feel that way.

  I lift the glass I’m holding to my lips and take a drink, enjoying the strong taste of whiskey. The past twenty-four hours have been nothing but a shitstorm. The clan hadn’t been happy when I’d told them my plan to allow Arista to flee so that Matias could grab her. But now that she’s back and has been hurt more than what was intended, they’re all pissed at me. Even King, who’s made his dislike of Arista very clear ever since she’d stabbed him in the throat after the garbage bin debacle. My men might be cold-blooded killers and willing to do whatever I ask of them, but when it comes to a woman suffering—they all get riled up.

  My jaw tightens as I gaze at Arista as she slumbers. I have a feeling that it might have been all for nothing. She’s too damned stubborn, and not even the brutality she’d endured has softened her into wanting me as her mate.

  This entire situation is so fucking disastrous it’s almost laughable. I’ve never had a problem with women until the very moment I need to screw one to secure Davina’s safety, and she won’t let me. I thought for sure the second night I’d snuck into her bed, she’d let me have my way. I’d known by the way that she was responding that she was fully awake. I’d used her body against her, not wanting to give her a moments reprieve so that reality could set in. And yet even lost in pleasure, she’d been able to bring things to a complete halt.

  So help me, if I ever get her in my bed, I’m going to make her go mindless with pleasure so that she can’t pull that shit on me ever again. She’s going to beg for me, and she’s going to crave me nightly. After all the shit she’s put me through, I’m going to tie her to me in ways that she never could have imagined.

  I look up when I hear the door
open, and I watch as Maverick steps into the room. When he sees me, he looks surprised. “I didn’t realize you were in here,” he says softly, careful not to wake Arista.

  Maverick has been giving me the cold shoulder ever since he’d laid eyes on Arista’s bruised face. With a frown, I rise to my feet and motion that we should talk in the hall. We leave the room, and I gently close the door behind us.

  I turn on Maverick with narrowed eyes. “If you’re not here to see me, why did you drop in?”

  Maverick’s eyes cool. “You think you’re the only one entitled to feel something for her?”

  Something tightens in my gut. “She’s my future mate. Remember that, brother.”

  Maverick frowns. “I’m aware. You think I’m interested in her?”

  “You were before,” I point out.

  “Only if there wasn’t another way.” He studies me. “For someone who’s treated her so callously, you seem quite territorial.”

  I grind my teeth over the reminder of my fuck-ups. “Are you ever going to just let it the fuck go?” I grit out.

  Maverick sighs and drags a hand through his hair. “Eventually. I know I put pressure on you to get the deed done, but I didn’t think you’d go so far…”

  “And if you were in my shoes, what would you have done? You’re willing to give up Tenley for Arista in order to save Davina. Don’t you think I feel the same sense of urgency?”

  His eyes search mine. “I hear you. You did what you thought was right, I get that.” He looks at me with interest. “Did it work?”

  My expression darkens. “No. She’s still giving me nothing to work with.”

  “Lethe, maybe it’s time we consider the only other option we have,” Maverick says carefully.

  I know what he’s referring to, and I give him a dangerous look. “You are not going to try to earn her affection.”

  “She might warm to me faster than she will with you.”

  “I said no. I’ve started this fiasco, and I’m going to see it through. One way or another, she’ll become my mate.”

  Maverick shakes his head. “If you keep trying to manipulate her, she’ll never be willing.”

  “I’m aware of that. I just need to figure out what the next step might be.”

  Maverick releases a snort. “I never thought you’d ever have a problem getting a woman to spread her legs.”

  He’s insulting my sexual prowess, and I shoot him a look. “She’s spread her legs just fine; she just won’t let my dick in. That’s the problem.”

  He slowly smiles. “So you are wearing her down after all. At least you have something to work with.”

  “It’s not enough, though. If it were, we wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation.”

  “So try building some trust,” he suggests.

  I don’t know the first thing about trying to earn a woman’s trust, and I’m not about to admit anything further to Maverick. It’s bad enough that I can’t get one little female into bed. This is something that I’m likely never going to live down. I’ve never been denied anything before, and it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

  “I never asked, but where do things stand with Matias?” Maverick inquires.

  “His debt has been paid,” I say dryly. “He didn’t realize her importance, and that was my mistake, not his.”

  Maverick nods and then asks, “How’s she doing?”

  “Anton says she should be able to go back to the third floor tomorrow. I have Cassius working on making her room more comfortable since she’d destroyed it when she had that temper tantrum.”

  “You going to keep her locked up again?” he asks as he studies me.

  “No. All it’ll do is piss her off.”

  Maverick nods in agreement. Then his expression shifts. “If we get Davina back, we’ll have to transform one of the rooms for her and include a nursery.”

  “I’ve already thought of that. I was going to have her room on the second floor, but I’m wondering if she’d prefer more privacy—like the women’s quarters. She’s been with Gavril for years, so I’m expecting her to be…” my voice trails off as guilt surfaces over how we’d left her and the clan.

  “I know,” Maverick says softly. “And I’m thinking you’re right. She’ll want female companionship over a bunch of men, and Tenley will probably want to help with the baby.”

  I look at him with interest. “Any thoughts on when you want to mate with Tenley?”

  “I’m not sure,” he says honestly. “I don’t want her to feel rushed.”

  “Just let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll start the process rolling.”

  Maverick nods. “Did Trev get ahold of you earlier?” he asks, switching the topic.

  I automatically reach for my phone in my pocket, but it’s not there. “I must have left my phone in my room. What’s going on?”

  “There’s trouble with one of the cartels, and one of the shipments has been delayed. Trev has more information on the situation.”

  “I’ll have to track him down. He out doing business or at the club?”

  “He’s out dealing with some small shit with one of our newer recruits.”

  I scowl. “I’m going to go take care of business. We’ll talk more later,” I tell him as I begin walking away.

  Twenty-seven

  Arista

  I can finally see, though my eyes still ache, and I know I likely resemble a raccoon. I’m currently sitting on the hospital bed, waiting for Anton who plans on escorting me up to the women’s quarters.

  He steps out of the storage room and brings me a bottle of pills. “You can take these every six to eight hours. Take them with food to avoid an upset stomach,” he advises.

  I accept the pills. “Thank you.” I peer down at the plain hospital gown I’ve been wearing since I’d been brought in after my rescue. “I really don’t want to walk around in this. Granted, we’re just going down the hall to the elevator, but I don’t feel like flashing you.” The back is completely open except for a few strategically placed ties.

  “I already thought of that.” Anton moves away and picks up white, folded fabric from the counter and opens it, showing me that it’s a robe. “You can borrow this, and once you’re upstairs, you can change into something more comfortable.”

  I smile at him, ignoring the pain it causes as my bruised skin moves with the tilting of my lips. “Thank you.” He hands it to me, and I begin to slip it on.

  “You’re welcome.” He looks at me, giving me a professional look. “Is there anything that you’d like to discuss about your injuries before you leave?”

  “No. It’s just bruises, they’ll fade,” I say quietly.

  His eyes soften, and he steps towards me, his expression radiating kindness. “Unfortunately, the memories won’t. If you ever feel the need to talk, I want you to ask for me, okay? I don’t care if it’s day or night.”

  “You’re a good man, Anton,” I say, and I genuinely mean it.

  He just smiles and holds out his hand.

  I carefully ease to the floor, and he slips his hand under my elbow as he escorts me to the door. His steps are short so they are even with mine, and I look around the hall, noting that nothing looks out of the ordinary.

  As we walk, I glance up at Anton. “How bad was the damage?”

  He looks at me blankly. “What damage?”

  My brows pull together. “The damage from the attack,” I remind. “It sounded like bombs were being dropped on the warehouse.”

  “It was all located on the west side of the building, and most of it has already been taken care of,” he says lightly.

  “Oh, well that’s good.”

  We pause at the elevator, and Anton enters the code.

  “Was anyone hurt?” I inquire as we wait.

  “No, everyone’s fine.”

  “Does that happen often?” I ask as I peer at him curiously.

  “Attacks?” he questions.

  “Yes.”

  The
elevator doors slide open, and we step inside. Anton presses the third floor button, and the doors smoothly close. “Not too often. Our enemies have learned not to take our threats lightly. There are some stupid ones out there that don’t know better, but those are easy to stop before they really begin.”

  I fidget and slip my hands in the robe’s pockets. “I don’t really know much of what goes on here,” I murmur.

  “Do you wish to know more out of idle curiosity, or because you’re planning your next escape?” he asks as he watches me with attentive eyes.

  I decide it’s best not to answer that question. The fighter in me doesn’t want to give up the very thing I want, but I’m also learning that freedom might never be mine. Not anymore.

  Anton wisely allows the subject to rest, and the elevator doors slide open to reveal the women’s quarters foyer. As I step out of the elevator, I look at him with surprise as he joins me. He smiles. “I’m just making sure you’re comfortable before I leave.”

  “Uh, okay.” Why can’t Lethe be this nice?

  Anton opens the double doors, and I step into the plush living room. Evie is sitting on the couch, a laptop positioned on her lap. She glances up, and when her blue eyes take me in, I watch as her gaze focuses on my black eyes. Her expression is hard to read, and she says nothing.

  I turn to Anton. “I’ll be fine,” I assure him.

  He nods. “Call if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  Anton takes his leave, and I enter the living room.

  Evie ignores me as she turns her attention back to her computer.

  I walk past her and head for my designated room. Lethe evidently doesn’t plan on locking me up in solitary, or Anton would have locked me in. I’m a little surprised, but I’m certainly not going to inquire about it.

  When I reach the open doorway to my room, I blink as I look inside. There’s now a small table against one wall with a chair. A vase of fresh flowers sits atop it. More frivolous décor has been added—which I could care less about. What really draws my attention is the white bookcase, and it’s full of books.

  I walk over and kneel down so I can peer at the titles. There are cookbooks, romance novels, mysteries, science fiction… Who…?