Page 22 of Captive of Outlaws

“I just want that clear,” I say, tipping my chin up defiantly. “You’re not going to traffic me, or whatever. I know how that works. It’s all freenow, right? Then in a week or so you demand payment and there’s only one form you’ll accept. So up front, I want to earn my keep here, and I don’t want it to be that way.”

I don’t know what I expect from Rob, but it’s not...laughter.

“Well, so be it.” He shakes his head. “Not that I’m not flattered you’d even envision something like that. You’re quite the vixen, Maren, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

I open my mouth to say that maybe Idomind—even if I’m not sure I do—but Rob keeps talking. “But as I said—I don’t want jealousy. I never want a woman coming between us. Right, Scarlet?”

“Hmm? Oh. Yes.” Will rests his chin on his fist, staring me down, his lip curling. “And certainly not without Maren’s permission.” He all but rolls his eyes as he says it.

Well, fuck you too, I think.

“So, you want to earn your keep,” Rob says. “Fair enough. What were you thinking? Because like I said, we don’t need a maid. And Tuck’s a better chef than any mere mortal couldhope to be.”

I think back to my arrival here, to the driveway crowded with vehicles. “Your cars,” I offer. “Anything need fixing?”

At that, Will bursts out laughing.

“What?” I say hotly. “You’re the one who came tomygarage, remember? You know I can do it.”

“No, no, it’s not that.” Will smirks at Rob. “It’s more like...does anything of hisnotneed fixing?”

Rob sidesteps to Will and gives him a shove in the shoulder. “You know I’ve been busy, you bastard.” He swoops hair out of his eyes and stares me down. “Sure. I’ve got a fleet of project cars that are yours to improve. The Camaro for sure, the Bimmer, the Mercedes—”

I’m practically salivating as he lists off the rest of his toys. My pulse had barely slowed down after the brief mention of sex only for it to ramp back up again at the thought of all those cars.

“I’ll do it,” I say quickly.

“Good.” Rob flashes me a smile and turns to Will. “Scarlet, for crying out loud. She’s shivering. Would you get her inside and show her her room?”

“Sure,” Will says, exhaling like he’s relieved the whole thing is over. “C’mon, greasemonkey. Let’s warm you up.”

Chapter Seven

WE HEAD BACK UP TOthe house, where Tuck and LJ are finishing up breakfast.

“All good?” Tuck says, when Will pushes open the kitchen door.

“More or less,” Will says. “Bit of a surprise.”

“Meaning?” LJ arches an eyebrow.

“She’s staying here,” Will says. “Rob’s orders.”

“What?” LJ sounds surprised, and not in a good way. All his gruff joking from earlier evaporates.

“Did I stutter?” Will says. “She’s staying here. Guess he figures she’s worth something? I...really don’t know.” He gives me a sideways glance.

“We don’t do women here,” LJ says.

“Iknow that,” Will says, throwing up his hands. “It’shisrule. But here we fucking are, aren’t we?”

A tight, airless silence clamps down around us.

Finally, LJ stands up from the table abruptly, his chairscraping on the tiles.

“Oh, now what?” Will says, as LJ starts to storm out.

“I’m getting her damn car,” LJ barks over his shoulder as he disappears.

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