CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Joy’s eyes slowly fluttered open. “Ouch!” she winced as a blinding pain shot through her head. It was then she remembered her stupid stunt of trying to take on her captor again. He wasn’t a huge guy, but he was tough as hell ... so she had learned. In the couple of interactions she had initiated, she came out the sore loser each and every damn time.
She had expected to see herself chained to a bed in that nasty-ass trailer, but a quick glance around the room told her that Donovan had moved her while she had been knocked out.
At least this place looked clean instead of the dump he had previously taken her to.
“Finally awake?” he asked, looming above her.
“What do you want from me?” she asked, tired of whatever game he was playing.
“From you? Nothing,” he said with a shrug.
“Then why the hell did you kidnap me? Why are you keeping me?” she asked. What the hell was this all about if he didn't want her? Did he get off on capturing women and beating them or something?
“You’re worth a lot dead and even more alive. So, be a good girl from now on, and I won’t have to worry about killing you. One more hit to the head just might do it,” he said. “And princess, I will hit back every time you hit me. A thousand times harder. You are no match for me.”
Joy’s mouth hit the floor when she saw the glowing in his dark green eyes. She had seen only one other person’s eyes glow like that ... ever.
“What are you?” she squeaked, trying to pull away from him.
“That’s the fear I wanted to see in your eyes. Now, maybe you’ll show a little respect and know that whatever you do, your strength will never match mine.”
Joy nodded. She wasn’t dealing with a human man. Nope. Donovan was a shifter, and she had no idea what kind of shifter he was. He could kill her at any time, but he had said it himself, that she was worth more to him alive than dead. What that meant, she had no idea. But one thing she did know was that he would kill her if he had to. Even if meant a smaller payday for him.
From here on out, if it meant staying alive, she would be as nice as she could to him. Still, none of it made sense. Who the hell would want her dead and why? Before meeting Adam, she had no idea about shifters. No a single freaking clue. Was it Adam that wanted her dead? Because she knew his secret?
“Did Adam put you up to this?” she asked.
“I have no idea who Adam is, princess. Now, I’m going to sit you up. I have food and water. You’re going to be a good girl and eat, and I swear to fucking God, if you bite me, you will lose your damn teeth. Are we clear?”
“Yes,” she quickly agreed.
He cracked open a bottle of water and popped a straw in it. He lined the straw up with her lips and waited for her to drink her fill before setting the water bottle on the table.
“Thank you,” she said and meant it. She didn’t remember plain water ever tasting so damn good.
“You’re welcome. Now, take a bite,” he said, holding a burger to her face.
Joy didn’t hesitate. The smell of the greasy burger made her mouth water. She didn’t care what toppings were on it as long as it made its way to her stomach and fast. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten anything.
“I would have fed you sooner had you been a good girl like you are right now. Do you want some fries too?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Open up,” he said, holding a few french fries in front of her mouth.
There was no point in trying to be ladylike. Not when she was starving. She quickly chewed the fries and swallowed the salty goodness. “Can I have more water, please?” she asked.
“Here you go, princess.” He grabbed the water bottle and held it up.
They repeated the routine of him lifting food for her to eat until she had had her fill and thanked him.
“You know, if you weren’t worth so damn much, I’d keep you for myself. We would make beautiful babies together. I just wonder who they would take after. Me or you?” He smirked.
She held in the shudder that wanted to spread its way across her body. The thought of having him on top of her like that made her want to throw up the food she had just eaten, but she held it down, knowing she needed the energy the food would provide.
Donovan pulled the curtain and peeked out the window. It was like he was watching for something or someone. As much as Joy wanted to ask what he was doing, she held her tongue.
She had a lot to think about, like who was paying him for her? Was it Adam? That was the only person she could think of that would want her for any reason at all. She just didn’t want to think he was the type of person that would go to such great lengths to make sure she didn’t blab his secret. What if he found out about the conversation she had with Gerri? Would he go after her as well?
Joy had a million questions and zero answers. Worse, she was stuck with a psycho shifter who was holding her captive until whoever it was showed up to take her.