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“You’re mine, Lexi,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “No matter what happens,you will always be mine.”

Sitting still in her seat, she fought to control her erratic heartbeat. Swallowing hard, she mentally kicked herself for opening her stupid mouth. His ominous response did absolutely nothing to calm her fears.

As if you really expected him to say something sweet and caring? God, you really fucked up this time,Nikki hissed.Ya know, if you just would’ve listened to me, you wouldn’t be in this predicament right now. But it’s not too late, I can still help you. Just let me take control once we get back to the cabin. You know I can clean up your mess.

Silencing the bitch in her head, she watched her abductor as he let go of the steering wheel and reached over the center console for her hand. Lacing her shaking fingers between his, she found herself suddenly feeling remorse for leaving the note in the bathroom. It didn’t matter how hard she fought, he was right. She was his.

“I know,” she said.

“Good,” he replied, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing her dry knuckles. “It’s up to you on how you would like to move forward, Sweetheart. I’m going to give you a choice. You caneither trust me and let me guide you...or you can resist me and lose everything. Decide carefully, my love.”

Nodding her head, she dropped her gaze to her lap and took in a wavering breath. She had no idea which path to take. Just as she began to feel one way, he would find a way to sway her to the other side. He was toying with her thoughts and emotions, and she was crumbling in the process. She was in a no-win situation.

Releasing her hand, he gave her a searing glance before turning his attention back to the mountain road. He hoped she would choose correctly. The thought of turning his most recent fantasy into reality left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“We’re almost at the cabin. When we get there, I will be putting you back in handcuffs. I hate to do it, but you’ve left me no other choice,” he muttered.

Recalling the feeling of the sharp metal shackles biting into her skin, an icy chill ran down her spine. If she let him tie her up, she would be in a world full of hurt once help arrived. There was no doubt that it would turn into a nasty hostage situation, and she would be powerless to protect herself. She couldn’t allow him to subdue her again.

Then quit changing your mind! Make a damn decision and stick to it! If you want to escape, then you know what you need to do. As soon as he heads upstairs to grab the cuffs, you get into that damn drawer and grab a knife. If this is truly what you want to do, and you’re fine with living with the consequences for the rest of your miserable life, then take the knife and let me step in.

“Fine,” she said aloud, answering both her abductor and alter ego with a single word.

Slowing down the Mercedes, he made a gentle turn onto the frozen gravel road leading to the cabin. Relieved by her answer, he felt a small sliver of hope worm its way into his black heart.

“Thank you for not fighting me on this, my love,” he said.

Lifting her eyes to the windshield, she swallowed an inappropriate laugh.Not fighting him?Oh, if only he knew what she had in store.

. . .

Pulling up to the A-Frame cabin, Kade carefully eased the SUV to a stop before putting the vehicle in park. Turning off the engine, he gave her a warm smile and opened the driver’s side door. Quickly exiting the Mercedes, he walked around to the passenger side and opened her door for her. He was eager to get her inside and start the process of securing her for the night.

“Come on, Sweetheart,” he said, leaning into the vehicle to unbuckle her seatbelt.

Taking his hand, Lexi allowed him to help her from the SUV and walk her to the front entrance of the cabin. Waiting patiently for him to unlock the wooden door, she let her eyes take their last fill of her captor. Some sick and twisted part of her really had fallen in love with him. It pained her that things had to end this way. She had to save herself though, and she had to save Leo. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances, they might have had a good life together.

It was a thought she knew would haunt her for the rest of her life.

Turning the brass knob, he used his shoulder to push the door open. Catching her conflicted stare, he hardened his features.

“After you,” he said, motioning towards the opened threshold.

Taking his direction, she walked into the cabin. Stopping after a handful of steps, she turned to watch him as he entered the space. Unsure of what he wanted to do, she studied him as he took off his heavy winter coat and shoved his keys into the front pocket of his jeans. Trying to look as innocent as possible, she painted a sugary sweet smile on her face. It was important for him to believe she was as placid as a newborn kitten.

“Now, what?” she asked.

Hanging his coat on the metal hook next to the front door, he moved his attention to her and arched an unruly brow. He could see the gears turning in that pretty little head of hers and it annoyed him to no end. Her betrayal was written so plainly on her face. After everything that had happened, she still wanted to run back to her limp dicked boyfriend.It was a realization that made all the rage he had suppressed flare up once again. Evidently, she had made the wrong choice.

“Take off your clothes,” he replied.

Visibly scoffing, Lexi let out a little laugh.Take off her clothes?They weren’t exactly having a flirty moment. She must have heard him wrong.

“What?”

Taking a single step closer, Kade narrowed his dark eyes. Straightening his posture in an overtly dominant stance, he balled his hands at his sides. He hated it when she played dumb. Didn’t she realize that she was treading on very thin ice?

“I said. Take. Off. Your. Clothes,” he repeated, enunciating every word clearly.

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