Page 53 of Ruthless with a Rogue
The sound of chair legs dragging on the floor filled the room, followed by a thud as though a body collapsed onto it.
Livy slowly turned her head, doing her best to avoid upsetting her unpredictable stomach.Her gaze landed on the blurred silhouette of a man in the chair.She tried to blink him into focus.
Recognition flashed.
Shock froze her lungs, and fear sent her pulse racing.
The man grinned at her, and she swallowed down another rush of bile.“It’s good to see you’re awake now.You’ll be ready soon.Still look as though you’re feeling a bit unwell.”He made a sympathetic noise that was completely out of place with the disturbing glee glinting in his eyes.
Ready?Ready for what?
His fingertips trailed over her cheekbone, and she winced at the pain.He chuckled.“Your fight was impressive.Hadn’t any idea you’d still have that much strength after the effects had started to take hold.”He let out an unsteady breath, one that had her mind screaming,run.But she found she couldn’t move her arms.Or legs.Oh my God.
“I’m looking forward to feeling it again.”His fingers trailed over her collarbone, then lower, tracing along the edge of her bodice.Her skin crawled, and her stomach clenched.She almost wished she would be sick, just so she could cast up her accounts on the man.
“Some of my friends would prefer you unconscious.But I’ve always preferred…activeparticipants.Give me all the fight you can muster.”
Her fingers twitched, the smallest movement she was capable of at the moment.Her body warred with itself, knowing it needed to escape, but every signal her brain gave it to move was denied.Powerless.Trapped.
“I know you’re Dunmore’s whore,” he said softly.“And I think you owe me a turn, Miss Forester.”
His hand cupped her breast, and she gagged.The evil man had the gall to laugh.
Her eyes slammed shut, and she clenched her fists.
Powerless.
Trapped.
The creak of the chamber door had the hand stilling on her breast.
“I have the French brandy you requested,” came a new voice.
“Out,”her captor barked.“I didn’t ring for anything.”
“A-apologies, my lord.”
The servant’s gaze met hers for a fleeting moment, and she prayed he could hear the silent plea.But he quickly averted his gaze and bowed before slipping from the room.
A sharp sting built behind her eyes, her panicked breaths turning choppy, erratic.
Ohgodohgodohgod.
The intentions were clear.And Livy had no way to escape.
Powerless.
Trapped.
31
Derek
Derekburstthroughthedouble doors to Ryker’s study, Kozington and Lady Elliot somewhere behind him.
Ryker froze in his pacing, blue-and-green gaze colliding with Derek’s
“Where is—”
