Page 29 of Captive

"And just like that I'm ready for a string bikini," Iquip.

Blake laughs. "I think we're going to get along fine. Now climb into that tub, and we'll get you smelling and looking like a bouquet ofroses."

The water is just the right temperature. Silky, fragrant bubbles wobble on the surface as I sit down against the sloped side. "Wait, let me adjust the pillow." Blake slides a velvet covered pillow into place on the rim of the tub. "There, lean back and put this sleep mask on. It'll help you relax enough to get rid of that headache once and for all. I can still see twinges of it in your face. It's going to leave ugly lines in yourforehead."

I slip the sleep mask over my eyes and rest my head against the pillow. It's by far the most luxurious bath I've ever taken. It's definitely a step up from sleeping in a sidewalk tent with Yoli talking in her sleep. I think about Yoli and the others at the park. By now they've noticed I didn't return with them. Olson would know by now. He most likely informed Clark already too. With the way things are going, I might just want to stay undercover, Imuse.

"I'll get you some breakfast." I hear Blake's voice and lift a heavy, relaxed arm to wave good-bye at him, having no idea if he's even in the roomanymore.

20

Angie

The warmthof the bath water and the coziness of the steam-filled room eases me close to sleep. I try to sort out how I'll stay safe and alive and inconspicuous until I can get out with all the information we need to end Freestone's underground operation. So far, all I know is that he provides food and health essentials to young women who for one reason or another find themselves trying to stay alive on the city streets. Not exactly something that would earn Freestone hard time. The drugged champagne and one way mirrors in the bathrooms were definitely problems, but there were no smoking guns yet or evidence that pointed to the murders of disgruntled clubmembers.

I swirl my hands through the water, creating a rhythmic wave of bubbles over my skin. My headache is nearly gone. Then I sense that I'm not alone in the bathroom. I reach up and pull the sleep mask from my eyes. A man is sitting on the bench at the foot of the tub, his forearms resting on his thighs as he watches mesoak.

I sit straight up, inadvertently exposing my naked breasts as the sweater of bubbles falls away. I slip back down to hidethem.

His blue eyes follow my breasts below the water's surface and linger there before lifting his gaze to my face. "I've already seen them. Although, I do think they are even better wet." His face is so symmetrically chiseled he looks more like an artist's sculpture than a real man. The overhead lights reflect off his short black hair. The sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up, exposing a long tattoo of words scrolled along the side of his left forearm. His right bears a different kind of permanent mark, a series of two to three inch long scars lined up like the rungs on a ladder. Each scar is deep and straight and far too evenly spaced to have been an accident. The top button of his shirt is undone, but the casualness doesn't take away the serious arrogance floating around him. Few men are so astonishingly striking. Since I'd seen his picture once, I know with certainty I am looking at KaneFreestone.

"I'm sorry," I say, trying to keep the bite out of my tone. "I thought I was alone in thisbathroom."

He is tall when he stands, with broad shoulders and a waist that tapers down to narrow hips and long legs. He walks over to the side of the tub and sits on the edge. The water is hot, but my skins erupts in gooseflesh as his large hand circles through the bubbles. I stare up at his face and study it closer. It is hard to see the mad genius or the diabolical mastermind in the starkly handsome face hovering over me. His long, thick lashes make him look young. His short, mostly empty file mentioned he was thirty. I should be repulsed but I can't find one drop of distaste. Under any other circumstance, the entire scene would be a woman's fantasy, lush surroundings, a dream bath and an incredibly good looking man stirring the water with hands that look more than capable of bringing on an orgasm with a mere touch. I push away the erotic thoughts and remind myself that I'll be in mortal danger the entire time I'm part of his sordid undergroundworld.

Confidence pours off of him in heated waves as he stares boldly at my lips. "How do you find your room?" he asks as he pulls his hand from the water. The foamy bubbles have cleared giving him an unobstructed view of my naked body, which he takes withouthesitation.

I jump into character. "Considering I've spent the last few months sleeping in parks and alleys and even the front stoop of the library, it'lldo."

The side of his firm, full mouth tilts upslightly.

"I guess I'll count that as a smile," I pause. "I don't know what to callyou."

"Kane will do. Unless I ask you to call me something else. Which I might occasionally do, depending on thecircumstance."

"I'm rather fond of Milord," I say playfully, deciding if I don't keep his interest I'll be out on my ass. "When I watch television, that is, when I have access to one," I amend quickly, "I rather like those movies where the women are in fancy gowns and the men are in black coats and tophats."

"Milord," he ponders aloud. "Mightwork."

The bathroom door swings open and cool air sweeps in to replace the steam. Blake looks nothing short of mortified when he sees his boss in the bathroom. I half expect him to drop to his knees and beg forgiveness. "I'm sorry, sir. I brought her some foodand—"

"That's fine, Blake." He pushes up from the rim of the bath. "By the way, I've postponed tonight's activities to tomorrow. I have other things to tend to." Kane looks back at me before returning his attention to Blake. "The women need a night off. Tell them they can spend the evening by the pool. See to it that Barton cooks them up somethingspecial."

What luck. It seems my stay won't be long. Spending my first night with the other women by the pool, an underground pool, apparently, is sure to be a gold mine for information gathering. I will have to work hard to gain their trust and friendship right from thestart.

"Yes, sir. I'll let everyone know." Blake's gaze flits to me. My skin is beginning to prune, and the water is getting cold. "And what about our newest guest? Should I get her aswimsuit?"

"No, she stayshere."

I practically sink underwater in disappointment. A perfect opportunity islost.

Kane leads Blake out. I can hear a conversation in the bedroom but can't make out thewords.

Blake returns alone. "You'd better get out before you wrinkle into an old woman. I brought you the chef's specialty, eggs Benedict. You need to eat. You've got a big night ahead. You'll need yourenergy."

Blake wraps a large towel around me as I stand. "So I'm going to the pool party afterall?"

"No. Mr. Freestone has a party of his own planned. You're the onlyguest."

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