Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Vanessa startled at the order. Although she didn’t comply, her grip on Paul’s arm loosened. Fear spiked through him like a cold punch. Paul couldn’t allow her to leave with Bennett under any circumstances.
Bennett’s eyes darted toward the trees again, checking their surroundings.
Either he was worried about being seen with a pistol, or he thought someone was following him.
He had the look of a cornered animal, ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
Paul had seen men in moments of extreme desperation before.
He’d stared into the frantic eyes of Angel Mendez as he’d pulled the trigger.
He’d witnessed the worst in humanity. He wouldn’t underestimate Bennett’s capacity for violence.
Paul lowered his hands and cleared his throat. “If you really want to go to Mexico, I’ll take you across the lake in my boat.”
“No,” Vanessa said, tugging on his arm. “Paul, don’t.”
“It’s less than ten miles from the edge of the lake to the border,” Paul said. “You’ll have to walk across some rugged terrain, but you’ll arrive undetected. You’ll have a chance.”
“He’s wrong,” Vanessa said. “You have to turn yourself in.”
Bennett ignored her. “Where’s the boat?”
“Right there,” Paul said, pointing to the dock. The boat wasn’t technically his anymore. He’d sold it back to the original owner this morning, along with the trailer, at a bargain price. The guy had agreed to pick it up later today.
“Okay,” Bennett said. “But she comes with us.”
“She stays here,” Paul said.
“She can’t stay here,” Bennett snarled. “She’ll call her cop dad and brother as soon as we’re gone.”
“I’ll tie her up,” Paul said.
“The hell you will!” Vanessa said.
Bennett’s brows rose at this suggestion. “You’d better gag her, too.”
She tried to pull away from Paul, but he captured her upper arm. At Bennett’s direction, Paul dragged her toward the unfinished cabin.
“Don’t fight me,” Paul said under his breath. “This is safer for you.”
Vanessa allowed him to guide her inside without struggling. She didn’t point out the increased danger for Paul.
“Use the tape,” Bennett said.
Paul picked up a roll of duct tape from the floor, and continued to the bedroom.
Bennett followed with the gun trained on Paul.
She glared over her shoulder at him while he secured her wrists behind her back.
It was awkward to perform the task while her ex-husband watched.
The sexual undertones didn’t escape any of them.
“Do her ankles,” Bennett said. “And her mouth.”
“Damn you,” Vanessa spat at both of them.
Paul ripped a piece of tape off the roll and placed it over her lips, hating himself.
He made sure she could breathe through her nose.
Then he hauled her off her feet and placed her on the bed.
She didn’t kick at him as he wound the tape around her ankles.
He wrapped it as loosely as possible, careful not to cut off her circulation.
He remembered the way she’d arched beneath him on this very bed, only moments ago.
Yesterday morning, she’d invited him to tie her up.
Now her eyes glinted with angry tears, and a promise that she’d never let him touch her again.
His hopes of a future reconciliation went up in smoke.
Which was fine, as long as she stayed alive.
Bennett’s gaze lingered on Vanessa before they left the room. When he reached out to stroke her cheek, she flinched. “We should have tried this when we were married, my sweet. You look very fetching.”
Paul wanted to tackle Bennett, take his gun away, and beat him senseless with it.
He couldn’t make a move like that without risking Vanessa’s life, so he restrained himself.
For now. If he got the chance to attack Bennett later, he would do it—with relish.
The man had threatened Vanessa, pointed a gun at her, and attempted to kidnap her.
He’d used their custody agreement like a bargaining chip, with no concern for Emily.
Paul wanted to kill him.
Bennett didn’t press his luck by groping Vanessa or making more ribald comments.
He touched his temple in a mocking salute and gestured for Paul to precede him.
Bennett closed the door behind them. Paul imagined she would start hopping around and trying to break free immediately.
It wouldn’t take long for her to work the tape loose, but it would be too late.
They only needed a few minutes to get across the lake.