“I like Penny. I don’t plan on doing anything to her. And I didn’t know you had a brother.”
“Anthony. Younger.” He gave me a flat stare. “You might change your mind one day and think you can use them against me, but of all my rules, this one will carry the most severe penalty.” He tilted his head, and a dark smile graced those annoyingly perfect lips. “Maybe I’ll turn the downstairs into a murder basement after all, just for you.”
“You’ve threatened to kill me twice and said that you need me alive at least once, so I’m feeling a bit of whiplash.”
“Good.” He stood up. “That’s everything. I will provide clothes and necessities. Food will be delivered at noon and at seven. You may use that phone to call down to the kitchen for anything else you might need.”
“Do you live in a five-star hotel or something?” I grimaced and held up a hand. “Don’t answer that. I know how rich people live.”
He laughed and sounded genuinely delighted. “You do, don’t you? Winter Kresswell. Or I suppose I should call you Spring Kane.”
I leaned back as if kicked in the chest.
That damn name.
I hadn’t been sure if he knew who I was yet. I’d worked hard to distance myself from that god-awful nightmarish last name—new papers, new identity. Some forged, most of it legal. I’d stayed away from my old world and lived off whatever money I’d been able to pull out of my trust fund before disappearing to Sea Isle.
Of course, that hadn’t been foolproof. It had been enough to keep people like Cassie in the dark—but men like Darren?
I had no chance.
He knew the truth.
And it still sent a shiver of rage down my legs.
“You don’t know a goddamn thing about me.”
“I know your father is Jason Kane. I know your real name is Spring Kane. I know most of the world thinks you’re dead, or at least thinks you disappeared years ago. I learned a lot more about you than you know about me, love.”
I clenched my jaw tight. I hated him for saying that name and despised him for digging into my past.
I wasn’t that girl anymore.
Spring was dead and buried. I’d left her behind the day I decided to turn my back on my old life and start fresh somewhere else.
“Don’t call me that ever again.” The words came out choked.
He picked up on the anger. I tried to hide the quaver in my voice but couldn’t.
“Spring. You don’t like it? I’ll admit, it doesn’t suit you.”
“I’m Winter now.”
“Legally, that’s true. But can you ever escape who you are?”
I stood up, shaking with rage. “What the hell do you think you know about me, you bastard? Why do you even care? I’m just some tool for you in your little game. My old name doesn’t matter anymore.”
“That’s correct.” He came toward me. I balled my hands into fists and glared at him, not backing down. It didn’t matter if I was one breath away from toppling over. “The only reason you’re here is because I find you useful. Holding you will ensure Roman can’t get too aggressive, not if he wants to keep you living, and I know he does. His new little wife will be too upset if he lets you get killed.”
“Then leave my past alone. If I’m a pawn, then treat me like one.”
He stood over me like a conquering hero, like an emperor parading in front of his legions. I hated the pure smarmy confidence that rolled off every movement like spice in the air. He smelled like leather and pine, and his clothes hugged his muscular, athletic torso, accentuating his build like a panther.
I hated him even more than before.
“Unfortunately for both of us, your father has some power in this world. Jason Kane might be a jumped-up nobody, but his fund includes some big names.” He showed his teeth. Not quite a smile. More like a jackal at breakfast. “I might even have some cash tucked away with him.”
I felt like I might be sick. “I have nothing to do with the Kane family anymore.”
“But you do. You’re the prodigal daughter, and I suspect he’d be very interested in making some kind of deal with me in exchange for your return.”
I leaned back and met his eyes.
And laughed.
He seemed taken aback. But I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up from my stomach. God, it felt good to let it out, and I nearly doubled over. Tears sprang to my eyes, embarrassing tears, but happy tears.
“Oh my god,” I said, barely able to catch my breath. “You think Jason gives a shit about me. You actually think he wants me back.”
A moment of uncertainty. “You’re his daughter. He said—”
“He gave some bullshit media interviews. You bought the distraught daddy act?”