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I tilt my head to the side as he continues to work. “You really do find cutting things up relaxing, don’t you?”
He nods but doesn’t say anything.
“That’s why you don’t want to lose the butchers. That’s where you get your respite. Where you can go and clear your head.” It all makes sense now. This is why Arseny would care so much about the butchers we bought. “It isn’t because you think my father is up to something, is it? My father is a straight up-front businessman, and you’ve got sour grapes he’s bought businesses that affect you.”
He gives me a warning look and then takes another knife to cut into the meat of the deer. “It is a power move from your father's side. That’s our territories he’s marking for his own, and I can’t let that happen. That’s aside from the fact that I like to relax there from time to time.”
“Why not just buy them yourself?” I ask curiously. “Why did you just let someone else own it.”
“I don’t care,” he says quickly.
I smirk. “You do too care. That’s what this whole kidnapping is about. You care about the butchers and want to use me as leverage to get them back.”
He easily slices through the deer and pulls up a cooler box I hadn’t seen before. He cuts the meat neatly and packs it into the cooler box.
I don’t know; there’s something about his deftness with a knife that sends a tingling feeling down my spine. He really is attractive with or without a blade.
I give myself a little mental shake and focus on the topic at hand. “So if I get my father to sell them back to you, will you let me go?”
“It’s not so simple, princess,” he says. “First, I have to tell your father that it’s me that has you, and I need to do that without starting a war between our families.”
“You mean my father hasn’t declared war with everyone already?” I ask.
“He’s given whoever has you until the end of the week to return you unscathed, or he will burn Vegas to the ground looking for you.” He looks up at me. “Too bad you’re not in Vegas.”
“So, we’re pretty far away from the city,” I say.
“What do you think? Have you heard any traffic? Any hikers? Any sounds other than nature?” He chuckles. “This place is literally in the middle of fuck all nowhere, just how I like it.”
He’s not going to let me leave—not until he figures out a proper plan he can implement to get what he wants without bloodshed. I get up, and he looks at me. “Where are you going?”
“To get my book to read while you finish carving up that deer. Then I’ll cook us some venison steaks for dinner.”
He looks at me suspiciously, but I shrug and do exactly as I said, retrieving my book from inside and coming to sit outside to read.
Chapter 13 - Arseny
I glance at her, and her gaze catches mine. We hold it there for the briefest of moments before she looks away. “I know how to cook venison steaks if you’re worried.”
“I’m not worried,” I say quickly. “Just surprised. I don’t know many people who can make it properly.”
“Are you worried I’ll ruin it?” she asks with a smile.
“No, you can cook dinner. I’m almost done carving up the meat and packing it, and then we can go inside.” I go back to work, and within two hours, with the sun passing by and dipping into the west, I’m done.
I pack away the meat for Lawrence to collect in the morning while Elena is asleep. Once it’s packed, I lead Elena inside. I sit at the counter as she takes the steaks and scratches in the pantry for seasonings and vegetables to make with the steaks.
“I had my guard bring potatoes if you want to make more fries,” I say. “I can help.”
“No, it’s fine. You just sit there and relax.” She smiles and brings out what she needs. I’m surprised that she chooses so well.
“You’re familiar with seasoning meat, another surprise.”
“Please don’t be surprised. I’m a woman.” She butterflies the steaks and starts to tenderize them. She’s quite strong and brutal. I won’t lie; those steaks don’t stand a chance.
“Why does the cabin look a little worse for wear?” I ask, looking around. “Like things were moved and hastily put back?”
She glances at me. “You didn’t honestly think I wouldn’t try, did you?”
