“Do you know him?”
Fuck. Her mouth was getting away from her. “No. I’ve just heard stuff about him.”
“Can’t believe everything you hear.”
“Really? You’re telling me that? Mr. Literal?”
He shrugged.
“I can’t go with you. I don’t even know why you’d want me to. Why aren’t you handing me over to whoever hired you?”
“I have my reasons. And you are coming with me.”
He grabbed the ropes, slicing his knife through them quickly. She was still bound, but no longer attached to the headboard.
He had his reasons? What the hell does that mean? He was surprisingly gentle as he helped her sit up. She hissed, then regretted letting him know that she was in pain.
“How hurt are you?” he asked.
“I’ll live.”
“That wasn’t what I asked, Little Thief.”
“I’m fine, big pimple-butt.”
“What?” He gave her a startled look.
“You call me Little Thief, then I’m going to have a nickname for you.”
“Big pimple-butt?”
“Yes.” Okay, it was lame but it was all she could come up with on short notice. “A pimple-butt, you know those sore pimples that you can’t reach to squeeze but they remind you that they’re there every time you sit.”
“So I’m a pain in your ass.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you always give people rude nicknames?”
“Only the ones who kidnap me.”
“I wouldn’t call it kidnapping.”
“No, then what do you call this?” she asked as he grabbed the rope holding her wrists together and started to slice through them.
“I’d say that I’m keeping you safe.”
4
Saving her?
Was he for real?
“Saving me from who?” she asked
“Seems like everyone.”
“Wait. Is that sarcasm?”