Page 72 of Merciless Desires

Before I make it two steps his fist knots in my hair, wrenching me back against him. I claw at his arm but he's immovable as granite.

"That was not wise." His voice holds tightly restrained fury now.

I open my mouth to scream, only for his hand to clamp down again even tighter. "Do not fight me. Understand?"

All I can do is nod weakly, lungs burning for air as black spots crowd my vision.

He says nothing else, just drags me to the waiting car and shoves me into the backseat. My temple cracks against the doorframe in an explosion of dizzying pain. I feel a pinprick on my neck moments before my vision darkens and oblivion sucks me under.

CHAPTER 2

Natalia

Disoriented, I try to stretch cramped muscles, only to find my wrists bound behind my back. There’s tape over my mouth, sealing in the scream fighting for release.

It’s not a nightmare. I'm in the trunk of a moving car. Every bump in the road jars my throbbing head. My stomach threatens to revolt, but I force down the bile.

Keep it together. Assess the situation. Blind panic won't help now.

What is going on? This guy must be some lunatic. A psycho. I can think of no other reason why anyone would want to kidnap me. Maybe he's a serial killer. Fresh fear spills through me, colder than the metal coffin encasing me.

Mom's voice whispers in my memory, "If they take you to a second location, you're as good as dead." She drummed basic self-defense into me from childhood. For the life of me, I can't remember what you’re supposed to do when you find yourself bound and gagged in the back of a serial killer’s trunk.

The car slows, turning onto what sounds like a gravel road. He's taking me to the second location. Which means I'm on borrowed time.

Determination seeps through my despair. I won't die like a lamb helplessly awaiting slaughter. When he opens the trunk, I'll be ready.

The engine cuts off and I hear the door opening and shutting then the pop of the trunk release. This may be my only chance.

Light spears the darkness as the trunk lid lifts. I squeeze my eyes shut against the glare.

Just wait. Just wait.

My captor leans in. His scent is an intoxicating mix of spice and musk, and I hate that he smells good. Large hands grip my shoulders to haul me out.

Now!

I twist violently, striking out with both feet toward the shadowed face looming over me.

My heels crack against his jaw in a satisfying jolt. He grunts, thrown off balance just long enough for me to jackknife my body and scramble madly out of the trunk. I hit the ground running. It’s not easy to run fast when your hands are bound behind your back, but I do it. My bare feet burn as I race for moonlit trees in the distance

Almost there...you can make it...

An iron band loops around my waist, momentum plowing us both to the dirt. I kick and wiggle, but he has leverage in his size and strength and uses them to his advantage to flip me onto my back. No escape.

Fury burns through his eyes as he straddles my hips, pinning me effortlessly even when I buck and writhe beneath him. A trickle of blood leaks from the corner of his mouth where I landed a solid hit.

"Enough!" The command rings through the night air. Chest heaving, he glares down at me, our faces inches apart. "That was a very foolish stunt. Do you have any concept of the danger you're in?"

My screams are muffled against the tape, but I try even though I’m pinned helplessly beneath him. Something dangerous flickers in his shadowed gaze at my show of spirit.

"Playtime is over." His voice drops an octave. "You're at my mercy now. So I suggest you reconsider fighting me any further. Next time, there will be punishment for your disobedience."

He rises, dragging me up with him, his steel grip proving his point. But I meet his glare steadily, refusing to cower. Fuck him. I may be his captive but I won't break easily.

For a moment, he simply studies my face, brow furrowed. Then, with a soft exhale that's almost a laugh, he turns and drags me toward a looming cabin just visible in the moonlight.

He glances down at me a couple of times as we walk, then murmurs, "I have a feeling you're going to be very entertaining."

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