Chapter 16 Abducted
Abducted
“What’s wrong?” Tāwera asked as soon as Nyree stomped into the kitchen. “Should I have not cooked dinner?” He gestured at the meat simmering in her battered pot. The pungent scent of curry spices filled the room, but she ignored the enticing food.
“Give me my tablet,” Nyree ordered.
Wordlessly, Tāwera handed it over, and she tapped keys and brought up one of her social media channels. She scrolled through photos. Finally, she stopped, scowling at the face on her screen. She extended the tablet to Tāwera. “Is this him? The man you saw?”
Tāwera grimaced. “It’s the same man. He resembles my brother, Rāwiri. Is this your Ari?”
“He’s not my Ari,” Nyree snapped. “I loathe this man. He tried to control me and treated me like a possession. He took my money. According to him, nothing I did was right.”
“Why didn’t you go to the people who uphold the law?”
Nyree made a scoffing sound. “The police? Ari is personable and has friends who work at the local police station. I doubt they would’ve believed me.
Besides, I gave him access to my bank accounts.
That stupidity was on me.” She pulled out a wooden chair and sank onto it, the urge to cry so intense her eyes burned.
“Nyree, we can pack a bag and fly to another part of the island until the ship leaves.”
She lifted her head, feeling immeasurably older. “The ship is still here because a passenger has gone missing. A male.”
“This Ari has disappeared?”
“I’m not sure of the man’s identity, but my gut says it’s him.”
“We can leave.”
“No, I’m not letting Ari get to me again. I must continue my normal routine. They’ll find their missing passenger—whoever they are—and they’ll get him on board and leave. All I need to do is wait him out.”
“How can I help?” Tāwera asked.
Nyree shrugged. “Let’s eat dinner and wait to see what happens next. It smells delicious. Have you cooked meals before?”
“Never,” Tāwera said. “Men of my time hunted while the women prepared the food.”
“Yet it doesn’t bother you to cook now?”
“I enjoy learning new skills. You told me men cook now.”
“I did, and it’s true. Roles for men and women are more varied these days. I can do anything.”
Tāwera served their dinners and set a plate of rice and chunky meat in a sauce before her. He joined her at the table, his expression interested. “Like what?” he asked.
“I can build houses or join our army or other armed forces. I could fly a plane or pilot a ship. Anyone can be a doctor, nurse, teacher, or lawyer. The only thing that limits us is ourselves or the lack of opportunity.”
“Could I learn a new job when we get back to Aotearoa?”
“Yes.”
A thump on her door had Nyree starting. They shared a glance, but neither moved until the pounding repeated.
“I’ll get it,” Nyree said.
Tāwera stood. “I’m coming with you.”
“Stay out of sight,” she warned.
Every instinct told her not to answer, but she couldn’t ignore the summons either. “Who is it?”
No one replied.
She exchanged a glance with Tāwera, who moved closer to her.
“Let me,” he whispered.
She hesitated, then nodded. Carolyn had seen Tāwera leave her quarters. It wasn’t as if he was a secret now.
Tāwera cracked open the door. Without warning, it flew back into his face and knocked him over.
A masculine body shoved his way into her quarters and slammed the door behind him.
Tall and broad with black hair, familiar blue eyes, and lightly tanned skin, he locked the door, pausing to kick Tāwera in the ribs before stepping over him and focusing on her.
“Hello, Nyree. Did you think you could hide from me?”
Everything in Nyree clenched tight. Her mouth trembled before she bit down on her bottom lip to stem the tell. Ari’s grin told her he’d seen, and her fear pleased him. She took a step back, retreating by habit instead of standing her ground.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped. Her gaze darted to Tāwera. He wasn’t moving, hadn’t made a sound.
Ari growled, full of masculine posturing. Superiority. He backhanded her before she could evade him. “Who is he? I turn my back, and you’re shacked up with another man. You belong to me.”
Her nostrils flared, bravery stepping up and firming her spine.
Anger burst through her. Fury. She’d let him do this to her before.
No more. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, stared at it for brief seconds.
Her head lifted, and she punched him back, not holding back her taniwha strength.
“I don’t belong to anyone but myself. I choose who to spend my time with, and you have no rights over me. ”
Ari rocked on his feet, gaping at her as he flexed his jaw. His eyes took on a strange glow. “You know, that’s the first time you’ve shown a bit of spark. I was beginning to think I’d imagined your special powers.”
Nyree lifted her chin to frown at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Why wasn’t Tāwera moving? The collision with the door shouldn’t have knocked him out, given his taniwha status.
“I followed you,” Ari said. “Thought you were cheating on me. Imagine my surprise when you, your mother, and sister transformed into dragons.”
“Taniwha,” Nyree corrected, lifting her chin.
Ari’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve changed, and not for the better.”
Nyree sniffed. Talk about a prince. Not. “You haven’t changed. You’re still a bastard,” she snapped.
Ari lunged and struck her again, darting out of the way with a nimbleness that belied his size.
Nyree’s jaw ached from the first blow, and now her shoulder pulsated in concert. Bastard. If it weren’t for her healing abilities, she’d be feeling a lot worse. She eyed Ari with more caution. She’d forgotten how quick and vicious he could be. Even as she thought this, he turned his gaze to Tāwera.
“Who is this? Your new boyfriend?”
Nyree ignored the question. “They’re searching for you. Have you considered the other passengers? The inconvenience you’re causing everyone?”
“Shut up and answer my question.”
Nyree edged away, out of Ari’s reach. If he followed her, he’d be farther away from Tāwera. “What do you hope to gain by this? We’re miles from anywhere. It’s not as if you can take me onto your cruise ship. They’ll notice a new passenger.”
Ari pulled a gun out of his jacket and pointed it at her. “Answer my fuckin’ question. Now! Who is he?”
“My friend.”
“Are you sleeping with him?”
Nyree stared at Ari while her mind worked busily. When would Tāwera move? Given his taniwha heritage, an injury shouldn’t have disabled him this much.
“Are. You. Sleeping. With him?” Ari gritted out, his face contorted and the gun still pointed in her direction.
“We’re not together any longer,” Nyree retorted, stalling for time. Had Tāwera moved? Yes, he had. Relief filled her. At least he knew what a gun was because they’d watched a cop movie on her tablet a few days ago. “It’s none of your business what I do.”
“You’re mine until I’m done with you,” Ari gritted out.
Keep him talking. Appeal to his vanity rather than riling him any further. “What’s your plan?” Nyree asked. “I take it you want me to come with you. I can’t board the ship because their security people will notice.”
“Do I look stupid? Of course, I have a plan.”
Nyree sucked in a breath, trying to behave as naturally as she could with a gun pointed at her.
Tāwera had vanished. She hadn’t heard or seen him leave, but he moved like the ghost he’d once been.
What did Tāwera intend to do? Her gaze took in the splotches of blood where he’d been lying.
A few spots headed toward the doorway. Had he slipped outside? Gone for help? She wished she knew.
“What are you staring at?” Ari spun without warning and fired a shot at the spot where Tāwera had been lying before he registered Tāwera’s disappearance. “Where did he go?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him leave.”
Ari fired a shot in Nyree’s direction, and she ducked instinctively.
He laughed. “I’d never shoot the golden goose.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Once I discovered your special abilities, I contacted my cousin who runs our local MC. He saw us together one day and told me if I no longer wanted you, I should give you to him. He offered money to sweeten the pot.”
“You’re selling me?” She gaped at the crazy man, and his expression never wavered. He meant every word. She spluttered, “You can’t do that.”
“You’ll do what I tell you, or your mother and sister will suffer.”
Panic roared through Nyree before commonsense broke through her anxiety. Manu was monitoring her family. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt them, and she trusted her cousin implicitly. Once he gave his word, he never broke it. She inched farther away and smiled sweetly. “I don’t think so.”
Ari fired again, but it was a warning shot. He didn’t mind knocking her around, but he wouldn’t shoot her because he needed her healthy and alive.
“You’ll attract attention.”
“Perhaps, but it doesn’t matter. This is what’s going to happen. You will come outside with me. We will sneak from the settlement to a quiet place where you can do your dragon thing. You’re going to take me across to the far side of the island where my cousin will meet me with his boat.”
Nyree’s mouth dropped open. The dozens of flaws in his plan made it laughable. When she was in her dragon form, she could toast him with her fire or drop him deep in the mountains. He’d vanish without a trace. If he thought she’d calmly follow his instructions, he truly was ridiculous.
“How much is your cousin paying for me?”
“One million for you and your sister.” He smirked at her. “Virgins are a hot commodity, and with her powers, she’s worth more than you.”
She’d bet anything he didn’t have her mother or sister. Not yet. “How do you know your cousin will come with a boat?”
“He’s there now. Waiting for my arrival.”
“I see.”
Ari chortled, and the sound held a hint of madness. “My contact is looking forward to meeting you. He wants to fuck you and breed powerful dragon offspring.”