Perfect Ruin (Unyielding #2)(11)

My fingernails curled into my blouse so hard I heard a tear. I believed him. I believed every terrifying word out of his mouth. But I had to help my father. He was all I had left. No other family. No close friends since all I did was focus on school. I’d had my nanny, Lila, who lived with us after my mother died until I was eighteen. Lila hadn’t been much of a communicator as her English was poor. But she loved to cook and let me do what I wanted, which was spend time with my head buried in my books. When I was eighteen and started university, she moved back home to Sweden and I never heard from her again.

“What will help him?” The man had to want something else.

“Nothing.”

“Why the hell would you kidnap me only to tell me I can’t do anything? Why bring me out in the middle of nowhere?”

“I knew the police would’ve been the second call you made after your father. As I said, that is not in your best interest and you needed to be warned of that. Besides, this is not a kidnapping, merely a business meeting.”

I huffed.

He laughed, the green in his eyes lightening and a mild wrinkle appearing around them. I was betting he was one of those guys who became better looking with age, if that were possible; he was already very attractive—unfortunately.

All laughter left his face. “Be careful, London. You are a pawn in a dangerous game that can get you hurt. And when I say hurt, it is beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”

“Then why not just kill me now?” I shouted.

“I told you, I’d prefer if you lived.”

“What am I supposed to do, damn it?”

“Nothing. You need to do nothing, London. That’s the point. You mention this to anyone, including your father, this will not end well. I need you to stay as far away from this as you can.” He tossed my car keys to me then said, “I can’t protect you if you don’t follow the rules.”

Protect me? What was he talking about? And why the hell would he want to protect me?

He turned, walked to his car, and folded in. Not once did he look back at me. I could’ve had a gun in my car—which I’d never have as it was highly illegal—and shot him in the back, and it was like he didn’t care.

Regardless, I wasn’t a killer. I’d never held a gun, never threatened anyone, and I never would. My whole life was about studying science in order to help people. To save lives. I volunteered at one of the homeless shelters at least once a week. I’d even gotten to know a few of the less fortunate, those like Ernie who I saw every day near my building.

There had to be something I could do to help my father. Were they worried he’d not finish whatever he was working on? Why not give him the two months he required? And what happened when he was done? Would they kill him because they had what they wanted?

His car started and I had seconds to decide if what I was thinking was a good idea. But it was all I had. God, I knew nothing good could come of what I was about to do, but my dad’s life was at stake and I’d do anything to help him. And despite what Kai said, I think he could make decisions if he chose to.

The car rolled toward me and I stepped in front of it. I almost dove out of the way when he didn’t stop at first, and then at the last second, he slammed on the brakes. The bumper lightly hit my thighs sending me back a step.

The front windshield was shaded from the overhanging trees, but I caught a glimpse of his narrowed, piercing green eyes.

I stepped back as he got out of the car and shut the door—hard.

I stepped back again as he stalked toward me and didn’t stop until he was inches from me.

He wasn’t touching me, but it sure as hell felt as if he was. I went to back away a little more when he said, “You want to be brave then be f*ckin’ brave. Don’t just piss me off.”

Jesus. Warmth flooded my cheeks at his harsh words. I swallowed, my throat tight as I tried to get the next words out. “I think you can make the decision to give him more time.”

He didn’t say anything.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “If you’re worried he’ll not finish whatever he is working on for you or he’ll run away, then take me. Insurance until he finishes, then you let us both go.”

By his widening eyes and lifting brows he appeared surprised, and no matter what I’d just bargained, that pleased me. Then any amount of confidence I had washed away when he laughed. His head tilted back and the husky sound echoed in the isolated woods. Birds scattered from the treetops and I didn’t blame them. I would have liked nothing better than to fly away.

“What makes you think I want to f*ck you? Or that you’re worth it.”

It was as if he hit me in the stomach with a baseball bat. “God, that’s… that’s not what I meant. I just meant keep me… until he’s done.”

“I know exactly what you meant,” he drawled with a playful grin.

Anger blanketed any sensibility I may have had as I raised my hand and slapped him. He didn’t move. Not even a jerk of his head from the impact. But his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together in a firm line.

“You’re an *. Do you enjoy scaring women? Bringing them out into the woods thinking that they are going to be raped and murdered? You’re disgusting.” I raised my arm to slap him again and he latched onto my wrist before I made contact.