Page 65 of Captured
So be it.
I would break through with her. Of that I had no doubt.
That’s because of the passion we already shared, the love of music our strongest connection. And because I adored her.
I was ready to drive through the cluster of tropical foliage when her question came out of the blue.
“Who was she?”
“Who are you talking about, Emily?”
“The woman you tried to protect and lost in some horrible event? The one where you obtained the scar?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Do I look like her? Do I act like her? Did she play music? Is that why you kidnapped me?”
She had a way of making me feel more uncomfortable than I had in a hell of a long time. “It doesn’t matter. The past is the past. Let’s work on you trusting me.”
“Trust?” She snorted this time, pressing her hand against her lips. “Trust is earned, buddy.”
“Then how can I break through that ice?” I slipped through the trees to the beach, turning my head and noticing a slight flicker of appreciation at the incredible view in front of her.
“Why don’t you start by telling me your real name? Think about it. If I’m your prisoner and will be for the rest of my life, then there’s no chance of me being able to share the great news with anyone. You know my name and everything about me. So trust me enough to tell me something personal.”
I thought about her request as I parked the Jeep on the soft sands, taking a minute to breathe in the salty air. It had been several months since I’d been to the water. I used to enjoy taking daily swims until the island had become more of a target for unwanted guests. I cut the engine and waited for a few seconds before answering. She was right. Even if there was a chance she could get off the island, it wouldn’t matter. Everyone knew that coming against me in any way meant an early death.
“My name is Styx Saint.”
Tick. Tock.
Her silence brought a smile to my face.
She whispered it back at me and I was rewarded with a slight smile. “I like that. It suits you. Very… evocative.”
“Why, thank you. Come on. Let’s take a walk and find the perfect place for a picnic.”
At least her mood brightened somewhat, enough that I didn’t think I would need to chase her down like some animal. I grabbed the basket of food and wine, allowing her to take the lead. As expected, she headed to the water, digging her toes into the sand. When she was standing on the froth, she held her hand over her eyes, shielding them even more from the bright sun.
I could tell she was scanning the area, no doubt searching for some method of leaving the island. From where we stood, you could see the dock and one of my boats. I had a more powerful craft located in an enclosure. However, for quick jaunts or just for sightseeing, the smaller boat was positioned at my ready.
I moved behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist and pulling her tightly against me. While she stiffened at first, the moment I pressed my face against her neck, she issued a slight moan. It was enough to know she didn’t hate me as much as she purported in doing.
“About two hundred yards out is another security method I put in place. It was costly and took months in preparation but it’s highly effective.”
Emily stiffened all over again. “What is it?”
“For lack of a better term, underwater grenades. And no, don’t worry. It doesn’t catch fish, sharks, or dolphins in the rays of infrared light. The system knows the difference in a human intruder.”
She shivered for a few seconds in my arms. “My, oh, my. You’ve thought of everything. Haven’t you?”
“That’s required because of who my family is.”
“And who are you?”
Another test. Another debate. Why not? I felt generous this afternoon, but she would pay for that generosity with her body. Why not put the gauntlet down? I was a fair man after all. “If I provide that information, what will you give me?”
She pulled away, shaking her head. “We’re bartering now?”