Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Nia

After I finish the drink, I take a shower, singing as I wash the vomit from my hair, and then put on my pajamas, an old T-shirt and some running shorts, and climb into one of the twin beds.

I'm sure the room is set up with two because this is a two-bedroom for a family and the other bedroom is the master.

I hear Jake in the bathroom, and I let out a long breath.

So far, everything has been as promised. But my brain can't quite wrap around the whole situation.

Who would be able to relax? Jake is way too handsome and then there is the whole think of your kidnapping like a vacation . In what world does that make sense?

I come from a messed-up criminal family, and not even I think this is reasonable.

Except, I come from a family where the men hurt their women. Like all the time. It's not just my dad. My aunt is a classic case of an abused-and-battered woman, she flinches at everything.

And don't even get me started on some of my cousins. The Vendetti twins could make any woman's skin crawl. They were torture-the-animals kind of kids.

I've got to be honest. Toni is terrible. Do I have some of those same markers as my aunt? Probably. I barely speak, I don't connect with anyone. Not even my sister.

I am currently sporting bruises on my ribs and the outside of my thighs because Toni got really drunk when he found out Mason was foreclosing on the Diamond and took his frustration out on me.

The Kincaids have been hitting Toni hard. First, they got the oldest Vendetti arrested, and then Little Anthony, Toni's second in command. Which means, Toni's been hitting me extra hard.

I'm half convinced I'd already be married but I need unmarked skin for the wedding night.

Not that Toni's broken me. Toni hasn't made me weak. If anything, I've gotten stronger. Or maybe that's the wrong word. I'm just…harder.

I think back on what Jess said. About how other families could protect us and how we'd need that. There is some sound logic there, even if I want nothing to do with this life.

And despite understanding her point, I know I don't want to get tangled up with the Kincaids. They can claim to operate on the right side of the law but kidnapping definitely falls under the creepy-as-hell category, no matter how hot they are.

As if to underscore my point, the bedroom door opens, and Jake walks into the room.

I sit up with a gasp, clutching the covers to my chest, like those are going to protect me. "Wh-wh-what are you doing?"

"Going to bed," he says as he walks between the two beds, close enough that I can smell his aftershave, and I shrink away. It's a perfectly nice scent. Delicious, even, but this is just too much.

He only turns to the other bed and pulls back the covers, climbing in. Then he turns on his side away from me, pulling the covers back up his body.

I blink at him, still sitting up. "But…isn't there another bedroom?"

"Turned it into the gym slash library. We need exercise and entertainment. This place is small and as you mentioned, the desert isn't safe." He settles on his back, pulling the blankets back up his body.

"Turned it into a gym…" I repeat, like that's a valid reason for needing to sleep in a room with a complete stranger. "But…"

"Nia," he turns back to me and then pushes up on one elbow. With the moonlight shining through, I can see his rippling muscles, the breadth of his shoulders almost intimidating. And so freakin' hot. Why can't I stop noticing how well put together he is? "I can't have you trying to hurt yourself again."

I stare at him, my mouth hanging open. How did he know? "I wasn't going to hurt myself."

"Really? It looked like you were contemplating?—"

"I was contemplating stabbing you," I huff back, not wanting to share the truth. That I know this is likely to end poorly for me and I thought to just get it over with. "If I'd done it, I'd be sleeping alone right now."

He gives me that grin. The one that only lifts one side of his mouth but is sexy as hell and makes my toes curl into the mattress. Like he likes my smart-ass mouth instead of being annoyed by it. "I'm glad to hear you wouldn't hurt yourself, sweetheart. You're far too interesting to leave this world."

I stare at him for several seconds. When has anyone found me interesting? Granted, my world is tiny, and I've never really fit in it. Not since my mom died. I've been completely closed off, but then again, I might have said more to him tonight than I've said to anyone for a very long time.

At first, my extended family was worried about my change in personality. They'd say she's grieving her mother. She's scared.

Then, they just accepted the new me. No one even noticed I didn't have friends. Not real ones.

My friends now are really Jess's friends, and they all have far more in common with her than they do with me. I don't date. I don't go out.

I know it's bad when the kidnapper's compliments are puffing me up, making me feel special. And I'm sharing with him like I haven't talked to anyone in years. What is up with that? Then again, we have been forced into a tiny space together. "I'm interesting?"

I curse myself for asking. Trusting him, opening up to him, makes me so vulnerable, I should have just slit my wrist with that knife. Toni will do way worse to me if he thinks I've betrayed him.

Jake lays back down, lacing his hands behind his head and my mouth goes dry. He's sexy as hell just meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror but like this…

I have this insane urge to climb on top of him. Jesus. I'm losing it.

"Beautiful. Smart. Fantastic singer. A bit of fight. I like that."

My cheeks heat. God, why do compliments from him make me blush? "You like my singing?"

God, I'm pathetic. But even with my plan to earn money with my voice, I've never really shared my singing with anyone.

"Sultry and deep. Your voice is magic." He says matter-of-factly, like he isn't sharing the one compliment I've truly been desperate to hear.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

He turns his head toward me, the intensity of his stare making the hair on the back of my neck stand again. I still don't know if he scares or excites me. Both, I guess. "You can tell me anything."

"I did try to hurt myself once." Why the hell am I telling him this? But that crack I mentioned earlier. The one forming in my hard shell, is growing bigger.

I lick my lips, tasting the words out loud. Is it dangerous to share? My mouth aches at the idea of not sharing the words. And I can't see what it will hurt. It was years ago now…

I see his mouth press into a hard line. "You did?"

I've never told anyone. Maybe I just never had anyone to tell. "After my mom died, the world felt…flat."

I don't tell him that my attempt was after one of Toni's first beatings. I know this is my family's enemy. And as much as I hate my father, I'm not going to actually betray him. Like I mentioned. It's worse than suicide .

"Flat?"

"Like nothing mattered. Especially not me," my voice has dropped to a whisper, and I shiver to remember those feelings. "I was so numb, and I just wanted it to end."

"How long ago was that?"

"Six years," I answer, snuggling deeper into the covers, as I pull them up to my chin.

"So you were fourteen."

"You know my age?" I don't know why I'm surprised as I push up again. He's clearly been studying up on me. Which puts us back in the weird zone.

"It's my business to know about you, Nia."

"Why?"

"Because…" He sits up, crossing his legs on the bed, his elbows coming to his knees, his gaze holding me captive. "We're going to help each other."

"You don't need my help," I shake my head. "Your family is dismantling my father without me."

He shakes his head like he disagrees, but he doesn't say more. "So that was your only attempt in six years?"

I don't want to talk about myself anymore, and I know he's avoiding my question. "How old are you?"

"Thirty-five."

My lips part in surprise. Fifteen years older than me is pretty old. Toni is only forty-two.

I sit up too, mirroring his pose as I lean my elbows on my knees. "You're almost old enough to be my?—"

He holds a hand up. "Let's not."

But I cock my head to the side, considering the implications. I've been trying to avoid men in general. Maybe that's why I was never really interested in Gris. It seemed far safer to hide alone than to give myself over to another man and his potential power, even if he could provide protection. What if he abused it the way Toni does?

But now I'm here, having late night conversations with a man who is as sophisticated, successful, and as strong as my greatest tormentor. I haven't been able to trust anyone emotionally. It's such a risk, but what if I could? "Do you think you're strong enough to beat Toni?"

Jake holds my gaze with his. He doesn't move but I feel the change in him. The way he hardens, the way his energy shifts in intensity. "I know I am."

"How do you know?" I nearly whisper this like Toni might hear me. But my senses are suddenly heightened, and some energy is moving through me. This moment feels…significant.

"I was raised old-school," Jake answers. "It makes a man tougher and meaner too. I choose to operate with integrity because control over my emotions, and my actions, make a man strong but that doesn't mean I don't understand your father. That I can't stoop to his level if I choose."

Those words have my heart thudding in my chest. I feel them deeply. Toni never has integrity, and he regularly allows his control to slip, and with it, his empire is slipping away too. While these men…

They grow stronger year by year.

"My father is old-school too. My way or the highway…. I'm not sure it's an asset."

Jake shakes his head. "My nephew Mason has taught me a few new tricks. I know when I need to depend on my family to help me accomplish what I can't alone. I'm never afraid to admit when I need their help or guidance."

They are a strong unit. Jess's words come back to me again about seeking refuge in another family. "What else?"

"And I am crystal clear on how women and children should be loved, cared for, and protected because they are the very heart of an empire."

Something is sticking in my throat. Tears? Emotion? I can't name it and even if I could…I'm afraid of the truth. I lay back down, my thoughts spinning.

Because my kidnapper has made some excellent points and for the first time tonight, I'm wondering if he might be right about this little field trip being to my advantage .

Maybe this situation really could be mutually beneficial.

Or maybe, I am the sacrificial lamb to keep the women they love safe.