39. Raven

39

RAVEN

I paced my little shell of a room, trying to decide my next move. I needed to get out of here and waiting for Rafe was taking way too fucking long. Whatever he had planned, I couldn't wait any longer. It was time to make my own move.

But the only way out was with Benjamin's help, and he wasn't about to lift a finger to help me. If anything, he would throw me back in the cell. And there was only one way to get him on my side. If I moved quickly enough, I was positive I could make this work in my favor.

I quickly got to work, putting on one of the indecent dresses hanging in my closet, then started on my hair. I was no expert on fashion, mostly dressing in something comfortable with my black leather boots, but I could do this. I was determined.

I heard the door open and his heavy footsteps on the hardwood floor. I looked at myself in the mirror, taking a deep breath. I was ready for this. It was just another job. Turning, I walked to the doorway of the bathroom and cocked my hip as I waited for him to see me. When he did, his eyes lazily trailed down my body, then returning and focusing on my breasts.

"What's the occasion?"

"I want something."

"And your plan is to seduce me?" he asked.

"Is there another way? If so, please let me know."

"So, you haven't had a change of heart, I take it."

"Not at all, but I know how to play the game. I want something, and in order to get it, I have to earn it."

"And what is it you want?"

I grinned at him, knowing there was no way he'd agree. "I want you to take me out for a ride on the yacht."

He chuckled at my request. "So you can attempt to escape? Nice try."

I walked forward, running my fingers down the front of his chest, stopping at the hem of his pants. I slipped just the tips inside and ran them from side to side. "Like I said, I have to play the game. I know you won't let me on the yacht right away. I have to do something to earn that, and it might take a while to get there."

"I still won't let you on the yacht," he chuckled.

"Not now, but I'm positive I can convince you."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

I slid my hand back up his chest, wrapping it around his neck as I stretched on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. He wasn't a bad kisser. In fact, if he wasn't such a prick, things might have been different between us. In no time, I had him gripping my hips, dragging me up against his body. I could feel his erection pressing against me as he jerked his hips.

I stepped back and undid the clasp at the back of the dress, letting the fabric fall over my hips and pool on the floor. I wore only a thin pair of panties, but he wasn't focused on that. His eyes were firmly set on my breasts. Sliding my hand up my body, I cupped my breast and let my head fall back as I played with my nipple.

I barely had time to put on a show for him before he had me wrapped up in his arms, planting a brutal kiss on my lips. I shoved him back, stalking toward him and pushing him back to the bed. His knees hit the mattress and he dropped back on his butt, watching the sway of my hips as I climbed on top of him and straddled his thighs. His hands skimmed my waist as he leaned forward and sucked my nipple into his mouth. I put on the best performance of my life, moaning and pretending I was really into it.

He lifted me, moving me up the bed as he crawled over my body. He tore his shirt from his body, fumbling with the zipper on his pants. When he didn't immediately get it, I sat up and took over, staring at him as I slowly lowered the zipper.

Yanking his pants down his hips, I swung him to the headboard and pushed him back, then pulled his pants off. He was so lost in his haze of lust that he didn't see the hit coming. I slammed my fist into his face repeatedly until he fell back unconscious. I got to work, fashioning ties out of the sheets. I tore them into smaller strips to ensure they would be tied tight enough. Then I made another one for around his face and tucked it into his mouth.

I searched his pants, coming up with only a single key, and I knew it wasn't the key to his yacht. It was small, probably for a safe or something similar. I hurried over to the drawers, trying to find something I could wear. I pulled out pair after pair of thongs, briefs, boy shorts, and nighties, but found nothing even remotely suitable for running around in.

I slammed that drawer and moved on, desperate to find something. I thought I had success in the next drawer, but the moment I pulled out the clothes, I held them up and frowned. "What the hell is this?"

I turned it in the light, trying to figure out what I was staring at. I must have examined the black cloth—if you could call it that—for a good minute before I tossed it over my shoulder and moved on. By the time I was done searching, the floor looked like a bad day at Filene's Basement.

I spun around, trying to figure out what to do when I saw Benjamin's clothes on the floor. I snatched the pants, pulling them high up my waist and using his belt to cinch them in place. I had to roll the pant legs, and when I looked down, I grimaced. I looked like MC Hammer. But it would have to do. His shirt was next. It wouldn't be the best thing to fight my way out, but I would have to make it work. I'd been in worse situations.

I couldn't think of any at the moment, but there had to be.

The coast was clear, but that wasn't surprising. Benjamin wouldn't have guards with him just for me. They were probably somewhere else on the island. I tiptoed down the hall, hoping to find his room, but I had no idea where it was. I assumed it was close by since this wasn't his house. I tried the door to the right, but it was locked. The next door opened into a suite that had a sliding door opening to an ocean view. I was instantly jealous that my room was nothing but walls and a tiny window.

I slipped inside and shut the door, rushing over to the dresser. I was pretty sure I was in Benjamin's room, but there was nothing but clothing, which would get me nowhere. I was just about to leave when I saw a rather large painting on the wall, perfect for hiding a safe.

I rushed over and gently took the painting down, grinning when I saw the safe. Finally, I was feeling back in my element again. It was a pretty standard safe, but had a lot of upgrades. The key was only part of getting inside. There was a digital keypad, a retinal scanner, and a thumbprint scanner. I could get the eyeball and thumbprint—and would do so without a second thought—but had none of my equipment for the digital keypad, and it would take too long to break into it. I hated walking away from cracking a good safe, but escape was within reach.

Once I was sure the coast was clear, I made my escape. It was surprisingly empty, but I wasn't going to question it, not when whatever was going on meant I might have a shot at getting out alive.

And then I heard the sound of freedom. I looked up and grinned. There was a helicopter in the distance.