Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
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M adisyn
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A n encompassing, inescapable presence consumes me. I’m lying on my stomach. My left leg bent at the knee. The comforter only covers my butt. The same inflamed heaviness sliding up and down my body intensifies.
My eyes open. I’m awake now. But I don’t move, careful not to speed up my breathing in case I give myself away.
I’m not alone.
I’m not alone in this room.
They’re watching me sleep.
I should have stashed a knife under my pillow. But it’s fine. I can fight them. I have a black belt in karate and street credentials. They might be stronger and infinitely more dangerous, but I won’t go down without a fight.
It doesn’t help that I’m naked.
I jump up from the bed, taking the comforter with me. Great. The thing is so heavy I’m using all my strength to keep it against me. At the sight of them lounging around the room in various states of repose—Kaiser seated, Ren leaning against a desk, Tristan standing with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
It’s clear they’ve showered and changed out of their suits. I can smell their soap and fresh cologne. My body seems to answer to them at once. My pussy clenches and becomes dewy. Oh god. Not that again. They may have crept into my fantasies when I first targeted them, but in reality, they’re just far more threatening.
“I can explain,” I say conciliatorily. I have no choice. They have the advantage. I have to sell my story and hope they buy it.
“Oh, now that we’re all alone, we’re all ears. Start at the beginning,” Kaiser says.
We’re all alone? What does that mean? Apprehension smothers me. “Where is everyone?” I ask in a small voice.
“Gone,” Ren says. “Back home. Just in time before the worst of the storm hits too,” he continues, his tone conversational as he takes a seat in one of the big chairs in the room.
“There’s no one here?” I ask rather stupidly.
“It’s just us, girlfriend,” Kaiser says.
“I can’t believe you put your family in danger like that. Sending them out in the storm in a helicopter. What is wrong with you?”
“Our helicopter can fly through anything. It’s military grade. A bit of a snowstorm is nothing. Also, would you have preferred them to stay and hear you scream?”
I swallow hard.
“I don’t scream,” I say, looking Tristan dead in the face. “But maybe you do?” I ask saucily. He doesn’t even grin at me.
Am I being real? Did I honestly believe having their family here provided me some sort of protection? They touched me while we all sat and watched a freaking movie. But no. I’m right. This makes them more hazardous.
“So, tell us. Who are you, Madisyn? Is that even your real name to start with?”
I take a deep breath. I’m trapped. The only way out of here for me is through my wits.
“Can I put on some clothes first?”
“No.” They all chorus.
I look at them in shock.
“I prefer to be wearing something more substantial than a bed cover, please.”
What the hell possessed me to remove my clothes? Oh right. I was in a stupor, thanks to them. What is wrong with me?
“Still no.”
“Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t care. I’m putting on my clothes.” I move to pick up the T-shirt lying on the floor beside the bed.
“Then you’ll have to fight me for them,” Kaiser says, beating me. He picks up my T-shirt and brings it to his nose, where he inhales before he tosses it on the bed again. I balk. He’s dead serious. He pulls up the sleeves of his long-sleeve T-shirt, bearing powerful, corded forearms, littered with tattoos.
Why couldn’t they just be your average billionaires? Normal looking, non-threatening to my pulse, peace of mind, and my panties, which I wish I were wearing right now. Why couldn’t they just be forgettable?
I will not fight Kaiser for my clothes because I’ll have to fight him naked, and his hands will be on my body.
I sigh, folding my arms over my chest, securing the bed cover to my body even more firmly.
“Very gentleman-like,” I mutter under my breath before I glare them down.
“Oh, we’re not. Trust us,” Ren informs me.
“And I’m no pushover. So we should part ways then.”
“No fun in that. Talk to us. Tell us things. Entertain us,” Kaiser insists.
“Will you let me go if I tell you the truth?”
“Of course. Once the weather clears, you’ll get the best seat on our helicopter. Promise.”
“How can I trust you?”
“You’re just going to have to, I guess. Besides, we’re the good guys here. You’re the one who’s trespassing on private property. Breaking and entry.”
“I didn’t have to break anything. That’s an excellent alarm system you have but consider upgrading to something better.”
“You hacked into our alarm?”
“How else was I supposed to get in?” Oh, they thought their family let me in. Cute.
“Who are you?” Tristan asks. His tone demands I speak immediately, answering his question without being smart.
“Fine. I was doing a little winter R&R, then lost my way. I was cold, tired, and hungry. I found this cabin. No one was here, so I disarmed the alarm. I helped myself to some cheese, grapes, olives, and two crackers. I also took a shower and a nap in that bed.
“If you’re wondering how I could hack into your alarm system, well that’s because I’m a thief. And if your family hadn’t arrived and caught me in the middle of trying to steal your silverware, I wouldn’t have been here when you arrived. So I apologize for trying to steal from you. I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”
“A regular dark-haired Goldilocks then. Ate our food, sat in our chairs, slept in our bed.”
“Well, with a twist. Don’t forget I was also going to rob you.”