“No! It’s too late. I escaped those bastards, blowing up as many as I could. I want vengeance. That’s all that’s left for me.”
“Do you really think that hurting Bennett will make you feel better?”
“Yes.” His head whipped around, a resolute look in his eye, along with a hint of desperation.
Maybe deep down he knew it wouldn’t soothe his pain, but he’d fixated on Bennett and he wasn’t letting go.
Paul jerked her close and she felt the wash of his hot breath on her cheek.
“Hurting you will break him.” Paul’s voice was low now, a sly undertone. There was no sign of the man she’d felt sympathy for a moment ago. “He’ll be broken like me. Maybe I’ll kill you now.” He lifted the handgun and pressed it under her jaw. “Maybe I’ll leave your dead body here in the trees for him to find.”
Hadley tensed, ready to fight. She wouldn’t go down easily.
Then Paul smiled, his lips twisting. “No.” He lowered the gun. “I want him to know I’ve got you, that I’m hurting you. I want to prolong his suffering.”
Whoever Paul had been before was gone. She kept her gaze on his.
Then he jerked his head. “Come on.”
They’d just taken two steps when there was a rustling noise to their left.
Paul froze. A second later, Hadley saw a deer walk out of the bushes. It raised its head, spotted them, then took off running.
Her captor shoved her ahead of him.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“I have a car parked on a country road.”
Shit. She couldn’t let him get her in a vehicle.
Come on, Bennett.
She knew Killian and the others would be with him. They’d come.
But would they be in time?
She’d avoided romantic relationships for so long. Casper had left her unwilling and unable to trust.
Now, more than anything, she wanted the chance.
She wanted Bennett by her side. She had no idea how they’d work it out, with her in New York and him in London, but they would.
The trees thinned, and then she saw a wooden fence line.
Oh, crap.They’d reached the edge of the estate.
She had to stop Paul.
She pulled in a slow breath.
He turned away from her toward the fence, and she sprung.
Hadley got her cuffed hands over his head. She yanked back, the metal pushing against his throat.
He made an enraged sound, reaching back to try and grab her.
She yanked harder, and he choked. Then he jabbed an elbow back, catching her in the face.