Page 75 of Caged

“That’s Mr. Sheppard to you, Mr. Roman, or can I call you Dick?”

The look on his face was worth the resulting punch and bloody lip. Remembering what Maxwell said, I spit towards his shoes before saying, “I’ll take that as a no.”

“You have terrible manners. I’d like to think your parents raised you better.” He wandered back to his seat. “I have to wonder if your brothers would be as rude if they were in your shoes.”

He struck a raw nerve. I clenched my back teeth and held back a smartass response. I didn’t need him knowing I felt inferior to my brothers in every way.

He asked me the same questions he asked Maxwell. I gave him the same half and non-answers.

When he asked me about Blake, I said, “She’s protected. Go after her again and it’ll be the last thing you ever do.” It wasn’t an exaggeration, AJ’s intense protectiveness gave new meaning to the phrase, “Touch her and die”.

If Roman gives me the chance, I’ll teach him what it means.

“We’ll see.” He paused. “But you won’t.” His calm response caused my blood to run cold. I prayed for Blake’s safety, and that I’d live to see AJ rip Richard Roman from limb to limb.And if I’m lucky, help him.

Throughout the interrogation, Franks hit me, but didn’t apply the cattle prod.

Curious to see how they’d react, I lunged when they told me to stand up. I didn’t try to get close to anyone, just provided a sudden movement to gauge their reaction.

They aimed rifles at my head while Franks poked me, shocking me into compliance. Every muscle in my body seized up. I stumbled when he pulled back and my muscles suddenly relaxed.

Unlike Maxwell, I was able to walk back to the cage without help. I grinned as she watched them remove my cuffs.

As soon as we were alone in the cold and dark, she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, they only prodded me once.” I didn’t share why.

“That’s good. Did he ask anything new?” She handed me a bottle of water.

“No, and I didn’t tell him anything either.” I pre-answered the next logical question. “Though I did warn him not to go after Blake.”

“So did I. Do you think he will?” she asked, fear lacing her voice.

“AJ will protect her.”

I walked around the cage until the pain from the shock no longer lingered. When I sat down, Maxwell moved close and asked, “Are you really okay?”

Maxwell’s concern and compassion was more than I wanted to deal with. “Yeah. It wasn’t so bad.” They’d been far more abusive to her. “Let’s finish our game.”

“Maybe you should rest.”

I leaned my head against the hard wall and sighed. “Maxwell, it takes minimal energy to talk.” I wasn’t in the mood to argue, but I didn’t want to sit alone with my thoughts either.

“Okay. Whose turn is it?”

“I’ll let you go.”

“Always the gentleman.” Her laugh did more to calm me than her concern. I considered making a wiseass remark, but didn’t have time.

“Cats or Dogs?” she asked.

“Dogs,” I answered without hesitation. I wasn’t a cat hater, but I loved dogs. “You?”

“Both, but since I have to choose one. Cats.”

“Really? Why? I always pegged you as a dog person.”

“That’s two questions.” I turned my head towards her, and made a face. Not that she could see it. She continued, “But I’ll consider it one. I like their independence. Why dogs?”

---