I don’t reply, shifting uncomfortably under his stare.
“Where’s Teddy?” he asks at last.
I shake my head. “No.” I say immediately. “You don’t get him.”
“You misunderstand me, princess. I get whatever I want.”
Nero strolls closer to me and crosses his arms, the casual gesture belying the coiled power of his physique. He looms over me, so close that I can feel the heat radiating off his body.
God, he looks too good.
I gulp, looking away. Trying to find solid ground again, any way to get out of this conversation alive.
Alive, and without the treacherous burn of desire coursing in my bloodstream.
“I came here because I want to make a deal,” I say, my voice shaking. “Teddy gets your protection. He stays safe. You leave the both of us alive.”
“And what do you have to offer that could possibly be worth that much?” he drawls, amusement in his eyes.
“If I recall, there used to be plenty you wanted. Begged for, even.” I cross my legs slowly, my heart in my throat.
Nero’s eyes flit lower, but the infuriating smirk remains.
“That was a long time ago, Princess. A man always wants what he can’t have, and well… I’ve had you. The bloom is off the rose.”
“You bastard!” I lunge for him without thinking, but he easily holds me back. Gripping my bound wrists with one hand. Making a mockery of my impotent fury.
“I told you, careful.” The amusement is gone from his eyes, and only controlled fury remains. “My patience is wearing thin. And if you can’t tell me what I want to know, then I’ll have no use for you.”
I fight to stay calm.
“Do what you will with me.” I say, holding back tears. “But I won’t give up Teddy. No matter what.”
Nero studies me for a long moment. Then he turns to walk out.
“Wait!” I blurt, panicking. “Please… He’s just a kid. He didn’t know anything! You have to leave him alone. Please!”
He pauses. “I wonder… Just what will you do to protect him?”
My voice falters, but I don’t flinch. “Anything. I’ll do anything you want.”
Nero meets my eyes, inscrutable.
Unmovable.
“Well, princess… I’m going to hold you to that.”
I open my mouth to ask what he means by that, but before I get the words out, Nero pulls the blindfold back over my head. I don’t have a smart retort this time as I’m led blindly from the room. My fear is starting to take hold, which it the last thing I need in a situation like this.
Things aren’t going well. My plan to talk my way out of this has failed spectacularly, and I can’t ignore the unease creeping down my spine. I had put all my eggs in one basket, planning to appeal to the soft side of Nero, but he clearly doesn’t have one. This man is a stranger to me now, cold and dangerous.
I’m so screwed.
I’m put into a vehicle, but it’s not the same van that brought me here. My wrists are still cuffed behind my back, and my aching arms press against cool leather. When the engine starts, the sound is a soft purr, and the ride is smooth. The driver doesn’t speak, but a sixth sense tells me that Nero is nearby.
I can feel him now, his presence. An invisible force making every nerve in my body alert, waiting for his next move.
Whatever that move may be.