Page 18 of Kane

“Trying to fatten me up?” I asked, tugging the tray closer.

“You’d know if I wanted to add to your curves.” He snorted. “Eat.”

Bossy caveman.

Of course my stomach picked that exact moment to rumble. Lifting my fork, I asked, “You want any?”

“Not this morning.” He opened the top drawer and pulled out a folded black T-shirt. “Gotta change before a meeting. Leave whatever you don’t want. I’ll grab the tray later.”

I took a bite of eggs to buy myself a second to study him without being obvious. “Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead. We both know you’re gonna ask whatever you want anyway.” After slipping his leather vest off, he tugged the shirt he was wearing over his head in one smooth motion, muscles flexing as he exposed his bare chest to my hungry gaze.

I forced my eyes back to my plate. “Why’d you put me in your room? It must make things inconvenient for you when you need something since I’m always here.”

“Not really. I can come and go whenever I want.”

His reply was muffled, so I figured it was safe to look up again. The clean shirt was on, and I caught the corner of his mouth kicking up.

Irritated by how smug he was while basically rubbing my hostage status in my face, I mumbled, “Unlike me.”

He flat-out grinned. “Unlike you.”

I chomped a bite of toast with a glare. “In case you forgot, I’m not here voluntarily.”

“Didn’t forget.” He took a step closer, thumbs hooking in the belt loops of his jeans. “Your ten days aren’t up.”

“Almost halfway.” I set the fork down, my appetite diminishing at the reminder. “How’s the bait plan working out for you? Ready to concede that kidnapping me was a bad idea when you can’t even let my brother know that you have me?”

His gaze didn’t waver. “We’ll see.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

“Then give me a real answer to the one I originally asked.” I set the fork down and met his gaze straight on. “Why this room? I’m sure there are plenty of others in this compound you could’ve shoved me into.”

He gave me what I demanded, but I was in no way prepared for his response.

“Because you’re mine.”

He said it with a certainty that I didn’t understand. My pulse tripped. I scrambled for an explanation that would make even a little bit of sense. “You mean I’m your problem. Your responsibility. Your pawn in this game you’re playing with my brother.”

His eyes stayed on mine, unreadable. “If thinking that helps you sleep, go ahead.”

“It helps me not throw this plate at your head,” I shot back.

That almost smile tugged at the corner of his mouth again, there and gone in a flash. He reached for his cut and slid it on, the broken-in leather settling across his broad shoulders.

“Like I said before, eat.” Then he glanced at the bag he’d left on the little table. “Thought you might want somethin’ to read.”

The door shut behind him with a quiet click, but the tension in the air didn’t go with him. I stared at the spot where he just stood, my heart thudding against my ribs.

The bickering wasn’t anything new. We’d been doing this back-and-forth thing for days. It seemed to be more about the pent-up chemistry between us than actually arguing.

But this time had been different.

Because you’re mine.