Page 3 of Capture (Primal #3)

“I’m sure you have,” she snapped. “I’m sure you have many girls on demand, but I’m not one of them, am I?” There was an exhausted exhale before she announced. “You can turn around now.”

“Lucky me,” I mumbled, turning back to look at her, and to my disappointment, she was wearing baggy sweatpants and a pink hooded sweatshirt, just as baggy, so it was impossible to trace her curves.

“Your dinner,” I told her, then placed the tray on the edge of the bed.

She flicked me a peculiar look as she raised her chin proudly into the air. “You try it first,” she insisted.

“The food? You want me to try the food?” I asked, a little confused.

“Yes.” She folded her arms defiantly across her chest. “I want it checked so you haven’t poisoned me.”

“You want me ,” I pointed to my chest, “to be your cupbearer?”

“Yes,” she said, flaring her nostrils. “I’m not eating it until you do, which means I will starve to death imprisoned in this shithole.”

“And? You think I care if you starve?” I stressed, flinched slightly when guilt fluttered in my chest. What was it about her that got me so riled up? “The police planted you to spy on us. You’re about as much worth as a slug.”

Hurt clouded her eyes momentarily before the fire emerged. “A garden slug or a sea slug? They’re quite different, you know.”

I frowned. “I don’t care to know the difference between a sea slug and a garden slug and…just eat your food.”

“Not until you taste it first,” she challenged again.

“Look, I don’t care if you eat it or not, but I do want you to tell me again about the alleged conversation you overheard in the locker room,” I ordered her, leaning against the wall to let her know that I wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere.

She swallowed. “I thought you didn’t believe me,” she said softly.

“I don’t entirely, but,” I pointed my thumb in the direction of where Gunner sat, probably looking at car porn. “He does.”

Her pretty eyes flicked to the wall. “Who’s there?”

“Gunner,” I replied without emotion.

A warm smile graced her face, and I could tell she had feelings for him. However, my lips parted at the sight of how beautiful she was when her smile was genuine, unlike the forced, empty ones. “I hurt him, didn’t I?”

I sighed, running out of patience. Discussing feelings was not my forte, nor did they have a place in my world. “Yes, you did. And Ronan. But I partly blame them for choosing you in the first place.”

“Choosing me?” she questioned.

“Well, any idiot can see that you’re going to cause problems,” I replied, giving little away. I won't mention that Gunner had convinced himself that she was Annika, whereas I believe her connection to the Larsson police was because she was their mole—nothing more, nothing less.

“What does that mean?” she frowned, chewing her bottom lip, and my cock lurched again, causing a conflict that I wished I didn’t have right now. Cock versus commonsense.

“Forget it. Just tell me what you overheard,” I demanded as the door across the hall opened and closed, and I cringed at them seeing sad-sack Gunner sitting there. We needed to find a more effective way to do this.

“Taste the food first,” she hit back.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at her gall as I wavered for a few seconds, staring at that face, waiting for it to crack. “Smart girl,” I finally succumbed and stepped to her bed. She won that battle, but I will win the war.

I removed the cover from the plate and glanced at her face to find that those eyes were hungry and dilated as she licked her bottom lip.

Slowly, I picked up the knife and fork, taking my time, drawing out her desire to eat something.

I sliced off a piece of the chicken and placed it in my mouth, chewed, savoring the flavor and tenderness.

She was almost drooling, lips parted, eyes craving the chicken.

That look on a woman’s face weakened even the greatest of men. If she looked at me the way she was looking at the chicken, I’d find it hard to restrain myself.

Just for fun, I started coughing, wrapping my hand around my throat, pretending I was joking as fear flashed in her eyes. I couldn’t keep up the pretense for too long because she’d refuse everything we offered her.

“I’m kidding,” I laughed, swallowing the chicken, but I wasn’t convincing her, so I sliced another bit of chicken, chewed, and swallowed. “See, all good.” I pushed the tray toward her. “Now, your turn.”

She still didn’t seem so sure, so I wiped the fork clean on my shirt and sliced another piece of chicken, then offered it to her.

Those full lips trembled slightly before she opened her mouth, and I fed her the chicken.

Covering her mouth with her fingers in a dainty fashion, she chewed and hummed at the flavor.

Once she swallowed, I sliced another piece of chicken and offered it to her, then flinched when I realized what I was doing. Not only did I enjoy feeding her, but I was getting off on it. This was a strange concept for me.

I handed her the fork handle and stepped back to disassociate myself with the tender behavior. “Now, tell me about the conversation you overheard.”

“Um,” she chewed, swallowed, and my cock hardened as those plump lips moved. “I was in the locker room and heard two people talking, but I didn’t see them. But one sounded like Betty, although I couldn’t be sure.”

“Betty?” I questioned.

She frowned. “Didn’t I say that. Oh, no, that’s right. I left that out because I wasn’t sure if it was her, so I didn’t want to get her in trouble.” Her head tilted to the side. “I guess I have nothing to lose now.”

“Betty,” I repeated, not sure I’d believe it. Sounding like Betty was not the same as being Betty. However, she had a recognizable voice, so who else sounded like her?

“I might be wrong,” she repeated. “Anyway, they talked about the rats and mentioned the name Vladimir.” She paused, waiting for me to react, but I set my expression in stone.

She sighed before adding, “The person said they called the press about the rats. They seemed to be behind it all or were ordered to do it by someone higher up in the hierarchy, which I assume was the Vlad person.”

I deliberated on what she said for a few moments before explaining, “Here’s the thing…

” I started as her eyes widened behind those glasses.

You have a friend who has been identified as a close family member of an enemy of ours, you are working for the Larsson police, and you then come out with this story.

That’s three strikes against you, so telling us the truth will be a good idea, or you might never leave here. ”

I challenged her to gauge her reaction; her brow creased into worry lines, and I almost felt sorry for her. For some reason, this particular girl triggered unwanted emotions in me, and I couldn’t understand why for the life of me.

“That is the truth, I swear,” she argued as her voice cracked under the strain of emotion. Then she seemed to have captured a thought. “Wait. What friend are you referring to? The only friend I have is…”

She gasped as her eyes flicked about as if the pieces were finally falling into place. This reaction seemed genuine, so either she was a great actor or had no idea why her friend showed so much interest in her.

“I’ll leave you to think about your future,” I told her sternly.

I was done with this conversation for now, but I will return because I doubt I could keep away from her for too long.