Page 8 of Steal Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 1)
Chapter 5
Hostage
Sloane
I fidget with my hands, the pale pink nail polish looking odd against the black leather interior of the car. I swallow feeling a bit shaken as the adrenaline rushes out of my system, and it’s followed by a terrible headache and my legs are shaking just slightly. I’m regretting wearing these heels right now, then again … I didn’t know I was going to be kidnapped today. What a freakin’ kidnapping it was though.
Before I even knew who the men around me were, I made a choice.
A choice that I can’t find myself regretting despite the circumstances. Pierce isn’t my choice between these guys and going back with him, if that gives you any scale of how much the man scares me.
After the police stop us, River takes the next exit and drives onto a local road that becomes narrower and narrower until it’s nothing but a trail path. He stops the SUV behind a run down building that looks like a Mexican hacienda type of house: all red roof tiles and chipped white plaster. The glass is missing on some of the windows and we’re surrounded by wild vegetation, I see row after row of overgrown vines.
The guys work in silence, like a well oiled machine: this mustn’t be their first rodeo, it looks like each of them knows exactly what to do and we’re out of there in mere minutes. Blaine keeps his dark grey eyes on me – and his gun – the entire time but no one tries to restrain me in any way. After all, I have no clue where I am and I’ve nowhere to go. I look around at the luxury vehicle we just switched into, leaving the other car and I make the mistake of meeting the driver’s gaze.
River.I know who he is from class and I would be lying if I said that I haven’t noticed how stunning he is. He reminds me a bit of Tim Riggins fromFriday Night Lightswith his dark blond hair pulled back and those big hazel eyes. I’ve always heard that the man is a bit of a loose cannon, but right now he looks lethal … then again, maybe it’s because he’s part of the whole kidnapping me deal. I mean he wouldn’t really kill me? Right? Shit. I’m in way over my head here.
Better than with Pierce.
I look away not trusting myself to keep eye contact with him. I think he’s pissed at me but then again, he could just be pissed that half their team has decided that they don’t want to kill me … yet.Yetbeing the key word.
To my one side is Kaden Vance. I know him from class but haven’t interacted with him as much as River, my political science class is far smaller than the lecture with Kaden. It’s a shame I haven’t because the man is like a carbon copy of Captain America. Yes, pun intended because of his mask choice. His chiseled face is highlighted by rich dark blue eyes and he has this light blond hair that seems to almost look golden under bright lights. His hand is still around my seat and I shamelessly lean into him slightly. Sue me! The man smells freakin’ amazing.
And for some reason I don’t even want to try to understand right now, I feel comfort in his solid body. It’s a primal kind of reaction, the same feeling that made me step into his grasp when I saw Pierce in the vault.
“How close are we?”
The voice next to me is not familiar but I know who Blaine is. I know both Blaine and Royce, despite the first being a bit more on the quiet side. I heard that he is a super sweet guy, even shy at times, but I must be sitting next to a different Blaine. Sure, he is quiet but the intensity radiating off him, a sort of quiet confidence, is impossible to miss. I can practically see something bubbling right under the surface of his velvety grey eyes. I would know since the man continued to look at me after taking off his mask. He didn’t bother looking away when I caught him and just keeps looking at me, analyzing me. I should totally find it creepy but instead I find myself wanting to run my hands through his thick, dark wavy hair and across his golden complexion. He isn’t as tall as his brother, Royce, but he’s big and I try to not let my eyes flicker down to his muscular … oh Christ, are those tattoos? Yep. I should stay far away from this man. I nearly move over but Kaden isn’t any better! Just as hot. This is bad.
“Nearly,” Royce’s deep voice rolls over my skin and I try to not let my toes curl in my shoes. What is it with these men? Even River, who’s totally glaring at me, is making me feel out of sorts with myself.
When Royce turns his massive nearly six foot five body towards me, I try really hard to not get lost in his stunning deep green eyes that are filled with a surprising amount of soft heat. I swallow as his dark, wavy hair is brushed back by his hand as he stares at me with a frustrated look. “Sloane, when we get to the hotel, you are going to stay silent. I don’t want to hurt you but if you try to run …”
“I won’t.” I answer softly but admittedly, my heart is pumping faster because despite how attractive they are … I can only imagine what they’re capable of. If Pierce’s backhand had me bruised for days, I can only imagine what these guys could do. My pulse speeds up as I briefly wonder if I’ve chosen the lesser of two evils.
Blaine makes a small worried noise at something while Kaden squeezes my waist glaring at Royce. The man in question sighs, shaking his head and muttering something before turning back to look ahead. I’ve no idea what’s going on but I can feel my anxiety rising as we approach the hotel.
The property is stunning and I find myself missing my parents a bit, remembering the many trips I’ve taken with them, staying at hotels as nice as this one. I don’t have to wonder how these men afford a luxury like this because it’s very clear that they have a system in place and have profited well from it. Royce gets out first and the valet opens the door as I feel the guys hold their breath to see if I’m gonna do anything stupid. Are we forgetting the part when the cops pulled us over and I stayed silent?
Instead, I take Royce’s offered hand and the man does something a bit unexpected, taking a jacket from the front seat and helping me into it. I blink at him not really knowing what to say because I’ve seen crime shows and I know this isn’t how kidnappers act. I don’t know if I have to blame my confusion or the obvious emotional roller coaster I’ve been on today, since Sasha’s phone call, but I honestly don’t know how to feel.
I’m worried, terrified and a little bit … excited?
I guess that part of it is elation from having escaped from Pierce’s grasp but I can’t honestly say that this situation is any better. The fact that I know who these guys are, that I saw them every day in class and that they’re the college football stars, gives me a false sense of security. The fact that they’re hot, and that I haven’t let anyone near me since I fled that condo, contributes to make me feel drawn to them.
Murder.
That’s the word River used when he talked about what to do with me. ‘We can’t possibly leave her by the side of the road.’ So I remind myself of the fact that they took me, that I’m at their complete mercy every time their good manners and their even better looks makes me feel safe.
Royce tucks me under his arm and the five of us walk into the massive hotel lobby, my eyes tracing over every detail. I exhale a bit when I look around and confirm that Pierce hasn’t somehow found us. This is such a messed up situation. While Royce checks in, I find myself standing next to Kaden. My lips twitch as I nearly ask him if he’s done the homework for after Thanksgiving break.
He must have noticed it because his hand comes under my chin and tilts it slightly, examining my expression and I don’t miss the amusement there. Maybe, I’ve officially lost it. I’m crazy. That must be it.
“What?” He asks perceptively.
Then I figure I might as well tell him. I lick my bottom lip subconsciously, his eyes darkening as he stares at my gesture. “I had a moment where I nearly asked you if you had started on the homework for break yet.”
Kaden’s face blanks before he lets out an actual chuckle, making all three boys stare at him with an odd expression. I smile slightly because hearing his laugh makes me feel far less anxious. He schools his expression but not before answering in a slight teasing tone. “Unfortunately, I’ve been a bit busy.”
