Page 21 of Russian Roulette
“Why did you sneak off?” he asks. “What was your plan, Jade? To wander around in the desert all night? Do you have any fucking idea where you are or what direction to go in? This was a dumbass move.”
“Not really,” I admit with a sigh. “I had to try. I couldn’t just sit there all night in your RV, waiting for anything to happen. You won’t tell me what’s going on or why you kidnapped me. What did you expect me to do? Just wait?”
“No, I expected exactly this,” he replies in an exasperated tone. “I figured you would try something stupid. Let’s go back to the RV. You must be freezing.”
Another loud howl breaks the silence, closer than before.
“What kind of animal is that?” I ask, unconsciously moving closer to him. “Is it a wolf?”
“Coyotes,” he replies. “They’ve got us surrounded. Don’t worry. The coyotes won’t come closer. They’re just watching us to make sure we’re not a threat to them.”
“A threat to them?” I ask incredulously. “How could that be? We’re clearly outnumbered.”
“We’re dangerous humans and you’re armed with a knife or two,” he says. “I’m sure you have another one tucked somewhere.” He leans over and picks up the knife off the ground to examine it. “What the hell? Is this my knife from the kitchen drawer? You prowled through my stuff and stole my knife? What else did you steal?” His eyes narrow. “That’s my favorite concert shirt you have on. Have you ever heard of boundaries? I can’t believe you searched through my stuff.”
“I didn’t steal,” I calmly explain. “I borrowed your shirt because there was no heat in that damn RV. You can have it back as soon as I get warm.”
“Fine, challenge accepted.” He reaches over to grip my hand tightly in his. “I’ll get you warm and then you’re giving the shirt back if I have to rip it off you. First thing though, I need to make sure the knife didn’t slice the muscle in my leg. It would suck if gangrene set in, and I lost my leg because of your stupidity. I can’t believe you knifed me! You’re lucky to be alive.”
“Knifed you? Wait!” I stop walking and whirl around to face him. “Did I cut you?”
“I keep my knives extremely sharp. You sliced straight through my jeans. I have a high tolerance for pain, so I can’t tell how deep the cut is. Either way, no worries. As I told you before, maybe I like pain. If that’s your best shot, I can handle you.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t realize it was you,” I say. “Sneaking up on me in the dark wasn’t a good idea. I will always protect myself the best I can.Always.You’ve been forewarned, so don’t try that shit again. And never grab me from behind. It causes me to freak out.”
“Duly noted,” he says. “Next time, I’ll tackle you from the front. Which way were you planning on walking out of here, anyway? Left or right?”
“Does it really matter now?”
“No, I was just curious how well you would do out here on her own.”
“For your information, I was planning to go left,” I say. “Go ahead and make fun of me if that’s the wrong choice.”
“Straight into the desert,” he says, blowing out a disgusted breath. “You’re damn lucky I came after you.”
“I assume that means you were pretending to be asleep? Why did you let me leave then if you were awake? You’re an asshole!” I’m so irritated at him I’m not paying attention to where I’m going and I stumble over a rock. He turns loose of my hand and slides a muscular arm around my waist to steady me.
“Dammit, be careful,” he grits out in frustration. “I’m supposed to keep you safe. When we get back to the RV, you’re staying put. Understand? I promised the guys I would watch after you. You’re making this more difficult than it should be and you’re getting on my last nerves. I didn’t sign up for this shit.”
“What are you? My protector now? Shouldn’t I be afraid of you? You kidnapped me.”
He laughs at my question. “Oh darling, that’s totally up to you to figure out. What am I? Hero or villain? You choose.”
“Definitely a villain,” I tell him. “You’re no fucking hero.”
“You got that right. Heroes are boring. I’d rather play the villain any day. And I have a gut feeling you would, too. The little, innocent girl act you’re trying to put on might fool the other guys, but not me. It would be wise for you to remember that.”
I don’t argue with him, he’s onto me.
“Is that the RV up ahead?” I ask. “The campfire has almost burned out.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it going again. I promised to get you warmed up and I intend to keep my word because I want my shirt back. You’re sleeping with me tonight.”
“In the RV?” I abruptly stop walking and glare up at him. “No way! We’ve already had this discussion. The bed is too tiny. We both can’t fit in the bed.”
“No, not in the RV. You’re spending the night in my sleeping bag with me. Outside by the fire. I’m not taking my eyes off you again. Not until I deliver you safely to Kit tomorrow morning and I can wash my hands of you. Until then, you’re stuck with me and doing everything I tell you to.”
The image of being snuggled up tight against Vulcan all night in a sleeping bag has an appeal. Especially with the cold wind whipping my hair in all directions and permeating deep into my bones.