Throne of Truth

He knows many things you don’t.

He must’ve thought I was so stupid that day in Central Park when I’d asked where he was on the 19th of June three years ago. He would’ve known I’d refused him and his asshole friend in the alley but got it on with Nameless an hour later.

Was that why he came after me?

Because he thought I was easy?

I shivered, hugging myself. I wanted to know, but mostly, I just wanted this over with. For the first time, I missed the simplicity of my life before sex. I missed knowing what my day would entail: working, hugging my cat, and reading in bed.

There was comfort in blandness. I wanted that comfort back.

“No, Penn. I’m going home.”

His eyebrow rose as if expecting an invitation.

My chin came up. “Without you.”

I needed time to put aside this awful event with Greg and remember I was in charge, not these men in this tiny cabin.

Me.

“Let’s go.” I looked at David, seeing as Penn hadn’t budged and his jaw worked as if chewing on things he didn’t know if he should say.

David nodded. “Right away.”

I held up my wrists. “Uncuff me and take me home. Please.”

David immediately strode back to Greg, dropping to his haunches and rummaging in the unconscious man’s pockets for keys.

Penn glowered at my bodyguard. “You’re not taking her. Not until we’ve had a chance to talk.”

“Another time, perhaps,” David snapped. “We’re leaving. Right now.”

Penn’s temper morphed into something calculating. Placing himself in my view, he scooped up the metal links between my wrists and tugged gently. “Do you trust me?”

That phrase again.

“No.”

His voice softened. “You’re safe. Just...come into the kitchen.”

“The kitchen? Why?”

“Trust me.” Pulling me forward, I swayed backward for a second, fighting him.

David looked up, unsuccessful on the key hunt, his eyes narrowed on Penn.

David was here. Penn couldn’t hurt me.

When did he ever hurt you? You were alone with him often.

I punched common sense in the mouth.

Allowing Penn to guide me forward, our matching bare feet padded over the cabin’s floor. I wanted to ask why he wasn’t wearing shoes, but if I asked one question, I wouldn’t be able to stop the avalanche.

Penn led me into the kitchen then let me go. He watched me warily as if unsure I’d stay or bolt away from him.

I gave him a slight nod, showing I was relaxed and had no intention of running. Yet.

His lips quirked at the corners, his gaze skating over my body, filling with desire. Clearing his throat, he pulled open a drawer and pushed aside a few utensils until he found what he was looking for.

A meat pulverizer.

I backed away. “What are you going to do with that?”

“Come here, and you’ll see.” Leaning over the bench, Penn pulled out a knife from the same butcher’s block that Greg had taunted me with while I’d cooked lunch.

Dirty pans and plates sat in the sink, ready to be washed. What would Penn think of that? Would he think I’d played house with Greg? Get jealous that I’d cooked him lunch even though it was under duress?

Somehow, I got the feeling Penn wasn’t petty or stupid. He held violence in his palm, ready to unleash it on his enemies but he also allowed kindness.

I took a step closer, warily.

“May I?” He pointed at the chain with the knife.

I swallowed, nodding.

Taking the links, he jammed the knife tip into the loops and placed it on the counter. Twisting the blade, he added pressure until the link refused to bend anymore. Picking up the meat pulverizer, he struck the metal with an awful whack. The noise vibrated through my limbs as well as my ears.

Tossing the pulverizer away, he pulled out the knife and with another twist, broke the link.

The chains fell apart, no longer together but still cuffed to my wrists by soft leather.

“That wasn’t exactly worthwhile. I’m still—”

“Trapped, I know. You have a choice.” He scowled. “Either come home with me where I have a lock picking kit and can undo the cuffs like I would with a key. Or...”

I ignored his comment about going home with him. “Or?”

“Or I use this.” He held up the knife. “I can’t exactly use the same method with the pounder, but the padlocks look flimsy enough to break with a blade.”

David came forward. “The keys won’t be far. Be patient and help me search.”

Penn didn’t look at him, keeping his eyes on me as he said, “By all means look, but she’ll be free before you find them.”

I quipped, “So arrogant.”

He chuckled. “Only just noticed?” Pulling me forward by the dangling chain, I refused to let the shiver of lust infect me. The longer I was in his presence, the more I fought an unwinnable battle between my heart and body.

Penn wasn’t good for me. He was a liar. But my body truly didn't care.

He stepped closer—closer than necessary—and hugged my arm close. “You have to stay still. I have a knife against your delicate skin. Don’t move.”

His voice licked down my spine. My nipples that had no right to be a part of this conversation tingled.

“I won’t move.” I couldn’t really see as he hooked the knife into the small padlock and with a savage corkscrew, smiled triumphantly as the soft sound of something plopping against the floor came a second later.