Page 82 of Stolen Hearts

He took a step toward the desk, toward her. The heavy walnut furniture wouldn’t stop him if he wanted to rip her out from behind it and carry her out the door.

Denver! Hurry!

She reached out and snagged the first thing she saw—a rather thin book her father had left on the desk. She held it up like a weapon as Ravencroft stepped closer.

“You always were spirited, even then. I thought you’d grow up and see reason.”

“Reason? What reason?”

“That we belong together.” He started around the desk.

“Don’t come any closer!”

“Rhae.” He rolled her name off his lips with a tenderness that made nausea swirl up her throat. “Marry me. Be mine.”

“Never.”She bit the word off with all the vitriol she could conjure.

He smiled. Now that she knew his plan for her, she remembered seeing the same glint in his eyes whenever he gave her that smile.

“You were always running off, doing your own thing. I allowed it for a while. This time, you don’t get to run.”

The panic that had been simmering inside her exploded. “I’m not your possession!” She launched over the desk and made a break for the door.

But Ravencroft had longer legs, and he reached it first, barring her way.

“Let me go! You know you won’t get away with this. Now that I know what you did to my parents, you’re going to jail.” She was still holding the book in front her like a shield.

Too late, she saw the mistake in her words. He either controlled her from this moment forward…or he ended her life to stay out of prison.

No, no, no.There had to be some way out.

“You’re not my possession—not yet. But you will be.”

“You think you can keep me locked up in here?”

“Don’t be dramatic, Rhae. You’ll have privileges—if you earn them.”

Blind panic shot through her again, but she slammed it down.Use what you know,a voice from deep inside her said.Use your training.

Her therapist mind switched back on, and she steadied her voice. “What is it you really want, Ravencroft? Power? Control? Maybe you’re trying to fix something that’s unresolved or you felt powerless in your youth. I’d like to help you explore that.”

His expression didn’t change, but he didn’t move toward her again. He stilled in the doorway.

“You always were a clever girl. But I’m not your patient.”

“No. But you’re still human. Some part of you wants to be understood.”

“I don’t need understanding. I need obedience.”

“Obedience isn’t love.” Her stomach wobbled at the mere thought of submitting to any person, let alone this man.

“Love is an illusion. Only loyalty matters.”

Tears flooded over, and she was helpless to keep them at bay. “You murdered my parents. You’ll never have my loyalty.”

That small quirk of his lips vanished. He jerked out a hand and reached for the note sticking out of her pocket. She made a grab for it, but he unfolded it and skimmed the words her father had written, warning her of this.

He crumpled it in his fist and dropped it on the floor. “It changes nothing. You can fight and scream, Rhae. But nobody is coming for you.”

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