Page 53 of Cherished By the Sinners

Chapter Sixteen

Darlene

Darlene sat in theback of a limousine staring at the man who’d snatched her out of the crowd of people in the emergency ward.Her hands shook.She wanted to punch him in the face, or kick him in the balls, or poke his eyes out.Anything to let the rage that had her vibrating in her seat out in some semi-useful way.

It wasn’t just getting kidnapped again that had lit her fuse.It was the arrogance and cruelty he displayed.He’d knocked people out of the way, and treated everyone as if they were garbage.No, that wasn’t quite right.Garbage was something to be discarded.He treated them like furniture—inanimate objects to be moved and arranged until they pleased him.

He smiled at her, flashing his sharp canines at her.“You are not what I was expecting.”

“Why would you be expecting anything?I’ve never seen you before.”

“I thought that the woman who tamed the twins would be more...”he waved his hand around nonsensically in front of her.“More.”He paused and sat forward a little.

Did he think she was going to be insulted or something?

“Is it my outfit?”she asked, plucking at the fabric of her shirt.“This is what was available.”The hotel’s housekeeping scrubs weren’t known for their cutting-edge fashion.

The weirdo shook his head.“No, no, I meant, someone with more poise and beauty.”His smile was very definitely anticipatory.

She shrugged.“Yeah, I don’t get it either.”

The smile on his face slowly died.“I want to know why they...like you.”

“I asked them the same thing.”She shook her head.“They told me it was my courage, which is bullshit, because I’ve run away from plenty of fights.”

His smile came back with a vengeance.“You will need all your courage in the hours to come.”

“Do I?”she asked.This was a man who, from the quality of his clothing, lived the high life.He probably couldn’t even imagine what her life had been like.“What if I don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t want to be courageous.”She sighed.She could tell by the confusion on his face that he didn’t understand what she was saying at all.“What if I’m not brave?”

It was his turn to shrug.“You have no choice.”

She leaned forward suddenly.“There isalwaysanother choice.”

He laughed.“Really?What would that choice be?”

“Death.”

“Death?”He frowned.“You mean you wouldchooseto die?”

“Yes, you could do it right now.I’m sure you’re armed.Why don’t you just kill me now and taunt the twins with my body?”

His jaw dropped open and stayed that way for three whole seconds.