Page 2 of Claimed (The Captain’s Captive #2)

“Oh yes, you have. You told Bella about the passageways, didn’t you?” He stalked forward, imposing and completely in command, his voice silky and heavy with sexual intent.

Trish shook her head, unable to speak as she backed away from him, right up against the wall under the sigil.

It felt like her heart would pound right out of her chest, and she wasn’t sure if it was with fear or excitement.

She wanted to say it was only fear, but fear wouldn’t make her nipples pebble or her pussy pulse.

And she couldn’t say she was afraid of Jordan, either.

He might spank her. He might punish her in a sexual manner. His punishment might hurt, but she absolutely believed he would not harm her.

“Naughty girls are punished, babygirl.”

A little whimpering sound escaped her throat, but there was no mistaking the way her pussy clenched at his words. They might have sounded like a threat, but her body interpreted it very differently than it would have weeks ago.

He halted only a couple feet away when his com unit chimed. Again, Trish felt that same whirl of relief and disappointment she had earlier.

“Yes?” His voice was full of impatience, his hand at his ear.

Although his eyes had averted when the unit had first chimed, his gaze came back to Trish, his eyes narrowing slightly, and Trish’s mouth went dry.

“Which direction? I’ll be right there. Send Vaughn and Taylor.

” Another press of the button, and his hand dropped away from his earpiece.

“So, you didn’t tell Bella, little girl? ”

“I … I …”

Ignoring her, Jordan took a small ball-gag out of his pocket, stepped forward, and placed it at her lips. “Open up, babygirl.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he popped the gag between her lips and took no time at all in fastening it about her head.

The rubbery taste filled her mouth, and she scrunched up her nose in distaste.

Ignoring her expression, Jordan took her hand in his and pulled her away from the wall so he could press his fingers against the sigil.

Trish’s heart started pounding again, and her palms went damp.

He knew. He knew she’d opened the door—he had to.

Panic skittered, but there was nothing she could do, especially while he still held onto her.

With quick, decisive steps, Jordan pulled her into the passageway, making her jog to keep up with him.

Fortunately, they didn’t have very far to go.

At the first intersection, Vaughn and Taylor joined them.

Vaughn raised his eyebrows when he saw the gag in Trish’s mouth, making her blush, but he didn’t say anything.

She ducked her head and stared at the ground, thankful when Jordan pulled her past the duo and the two followed.

At the next turn, Jordan came to a sudden halt before entering the cross section. He slid his hand up Trish’s arm to her shoulder and pressed down, gently but firmly. Understanding, she sank to her knees, confused. Anticipation hung in the air.

Jordan had said he would prove Trish wrong. Surely Bella wasn’t in the passageways now? Why hadn’t she waited? What had she been thinking?

Maybe Bella wasn’t as smart as Trish had given her credit for.

The sound of footsteps coming down the hall from the left, light but quick, made Trish hang her head as she felt tears prick her eyes. How stupid was Bella? Trish had thought the other woman had more common sense.

But maybe she shouldn’t have given a Moonie that much credit.

As soon as the contemptuous thought passed through her mind, Trish wanted to reel back in horror. Her inner voice sounded just like the other Earthers. But then again, wasn’t there reason?

The look on Bella’s face when she came into view—curiosity and a kind of glee—made Trish feel even more like screaming insults at her.

Then Bella caught sight of Jordan and the others, and her expression changed to horror.

Trish wished she’d never told Bella. Even though Trish understood the temptation of the passageways, she’d resisted, thinking, ‘What would Bella do?’ Apparently, she’d overestimated Bella’s intelligence.

The brunette froze and then slumped forward, her hands going to her knees to help hold her up.

At least she realized how much trouble they were in.

Jordan’s hand came down to Trish’s head and stroked her hair, making her shiver as arousal and apprehension slid through her.

Her body still hadn’t gotten the message that she was in trouble.

Or maybe it had, and her responses were all jumbled because of the way pain and pleasure had become intertwined for her.

“What bad girls you two are,” Jordan said, his deep voice laced with satisfaction.

His hand slid into Trish’s hair, wrapping it around his fingers near the roots, and he pulled her up.

It hurt, but not in a bad way, and she wanted to moan in embarrassment at her reaction.

As Jordan turned, he looked at Vaughn and Taylor and jerked his head back at Bella. “Bring her.”