Page 8 of Cage

Both of them turn to face the man who’s approaching. My gaze travels between them. When my eyes land on the stranger, I gasp. I’m not sure if he’s as tall as he appears or if it’s all his muscles that make him look huge, but the man is imposing to say the least.

“You must be Cage?” My father tilts his head back to look at him.

He nods and holds out his hand. “Cage Black.”

Thisis my bodyguard? Why is he dressed like he’s about to go into combat?

“Zeke Griffin,” my father replies as they shake hands. “This is my daughter Ember.”

I can’t take a breath as Cage’s gaze moves to me. Heat creeps up my body. Wow. He’s intense. Those eyes look like they know too much. There’s no way I’m going with this man.

Unable to hold his stare, I look away and cross my arms over my chest. It’s a double-no for me.

Plane.

Nope.

Scary dude.

Nope.

“Ember,” my father hisses.

“No,” I answer between clenched teeth. “I’m not going.”

“This isn’t an option. It’s not safe for you here. You’re going with him.”

“No. I’m not getting on that plane.”

“What’s wrong withmyplane?” Cage asks, his eyebrows drawn together in disbelief as he looks back at it. Is he seriously offended because I don’t want to go with him? “It’s the safest plane on the market. I’ve inspected it myself.”

My head snaps toward him. “Planes aren’t safe. I’m not going.”

The men all look at each other for a moment as if none of them are sure what to do.

“I was told there are no limits to keeping her safe.” Cage turns his attention to my father for a second. “She’s in my care now?”

“Yes. She’s all yours,” he replies.

Cage smirks and takes a step between my father and his security detail. “Great. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

The next thing I know, Cage reaches into the car and plucks me off the seat with ease before tossing me over his shoulder like a bag of freaking potatoes. Then he grabs my bag, slinging it over his other shoulder, and heads toward the plane.

“You know how to get in touch,” he calls out, giving a quick wave with his free hand as he starts up the steps.

“Let me down!” I scream as I pound on his back.

“I’ll let you down in a minute. Just take a breath and stop kicking me.”

I don’t stop flailing. I’m not going to make this easy on him.

“You’re kidnapping me! What kind of person kidnaps a woman?”

“Not kidnapping you, firefly.”

“I don’t want to go!” I squeal.

He chuckles. Actually freaking laughs at me. Jerk.