Page 133 of SEAL's Resolve
Pain exploded in her side. She couldn’t hold back the groan. Hugh just had to kick the ribs that were already sore from tangling with her kidnappers.
“On your feet, or I’ll break your ribs next time.”
She sucked in a shallow breath. “I’m pretty sure you did this time. If I can’t function, you don’t get a dime from me. Take me to my father.”
“I’ll kill you myself,” he threatened.
“The account password isn’t written down. If you kill me, you get nothing except a death sentence in prison.”
“Get up,” Hugh shouted.
“I need a minute.” She hoped that would be enough time to gather her strength. Kristi had a feeling standing up would be an exercise in torture.
Muttering an ugly curse, Hugh reached down and yanked Kristi to her feet.
She moaned and pressed her arm against her injured ribs. Oh, man. Hugh’s boot had done a number on her rib cage.
“Stop whining.” Hugh dragged her toward the staircase. “You want to see Alan? Here’s your chance. After that, you will transfer that money or I’ll kill your father in front of you.”
“I don’t know if I can climb the stairs.”
“If you want to see your father, you’ll get up there any way you can.” He sneered. “I’m not helping you. You can crawl, or you can make the short walk to the computer and take care of business.”
“Thanks for nothing,” she muttered. “Where is Dad?”
“A guest room.”
“Which guest room? You have five in this cabin.”
“What does it matter which room?”
She stopped halfway up the stairs and frowned at him. “I’m having trouble walking and getting my breath. Isn’t that reason enough to ask how far I have to walk?”
“Suck it up and deal, Kristi. Alan’s in the room across from the master bedroom.”
“Oh, man. Are you serious? The corner bedroom? You might as well have put him in outer Mongolia.”
“Good job, baby,” Rafe whispered.
“Cal, Jackson, corner bedroom,” Eli murmured.
“Copy,” came the response.
Hugh shoved her into motion. “If you stop again, your father will pay the price. Move, Kristi.”
Afraid to drag this out longer, she climbed the stairs to the second floor. On the landing, Kristi paused. “The master bedroom is still on the left?”
“You’re stalling.” Hugh backhanded her.
Kristi hit the wall. Her lip stung. When she touched the fingers of one hand to her mouth, they came away stained with blood. Great. The jerk had split her lip. “Does splitting my lip make you feel more in control, Hugh?”
“I’ll kill him,” Rafe whispered into the comm system.
“Your boyfriend is around here somewhere, isn’t he?” Hugh stalked toward her. “I told you to come alone or you would all die.”
“I wouldn’t risk Dad’s life.”
“You’re lying.” He wrapped his hand around the front of her throat and squeezed. As she wheezed in a breath, Hugh leaned in close and murmured, “You just condemned your boyfriend to die. Did you think I wouldn’t have help out here? He’s alone and outnumbered. Hope you can live with that on your conscience.”