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“Nothing, actually,” Genevieve delivered as nonchalantly as possible. “I was hoping he’d put out because I wanted to try some variety before you came after me, but all I got were some sloppy kisses.”
Lightning fast, Jed clasped her jaw. “That’s all you’ll ever get. You touch me and no one else.” He tightened his grip, pressing her gums into her teeth. “Don’t test me.”
A burn flared behind her eyelids. “Not a problem anymore, babe,” she whispered, her strained voice sounding far away to her ears. “My rebellious streak is over.”
He released her jaw and tapped her nose. “That’s my girl. I never want to hear another word about it. You want to try something new, then you try it with me.”
She swallowed through a sawdust-like lump in her throat. “I’ve only ever wanted you.”
Jed tsk-tsked. “Such lies, but you’ll learn to be honest with me again, or I’ll be more than happy to teach you the hard way.” He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out an engagement ring—a perfect replica of the monstrosity she’d tossed over the rail.
She went rigid, holding her lips steady to keep them from trembling.
Jed’s voice dropped to an icy whisper. “I let you attempt to work me—partly for entertainment value and partly for information. That you thought any different is laughable. I know you better than you think.” He toyed with the hem of her baby blue blouse, provocatively snaking his fingers along her bare skin. “You probably think you’re going to escape tonight and run back to lover boy, filling in the blanks about my past for his court case.” He shook his head, clicking his tongue. “That’s not happening. It’s clear I’ll have to kill him. Loyalty means you support no one but me.”
Her eyes welled up. “Jed?—”
“Save it,” he bit out, sliding the multi-carat diamond securely on her left ring finger. “Don’t ever take this off unless you’re waiting for it to be cleaned. You’ll find my punishments aren’t to your liking if you keep testing me. I want your heart again, and your love will come more freely to me if I don’t have to punish you. Apologize, and I won’t bend you over my knee.”
Genevieve’s throat closed up while she attempted to control her rapidly increasing pulse. I’ve got to warn Brendan. “I’m sorry, Jed,” she forced out. “For attempting to play you and for taking off your ring. I will never remove your ring from my finger again unless I’m having it cleaned.”
“That’s better, dove.” He caressed her cheek. “Now, let’s discuss?—”
The French patio doors swung open, and Luke strutted in, a sheen of sweat lining his skin and soaking through a light gray muscle tee that did little more than showcase his pudge. “Boss, we’ve got a perimeter alert.”
Jed’s head swiveled, his full attention shifting to Luke. He shoved Genevieve’s legs off his lap and stood. “Details. Now.”
Thank god. It’s now or never, Gen. Focus! She twisted around, noting three arched exits into other rooms.
“A black Hummer coming across the bare terrain.” Luke pointed at the textured, cream-colored wall, presumably in the direction of the vehicle. “They traveled up an unmarked side road, then beelined off-road straight for the house. If I had my guess, they’re following a tracker and knew to stay off the main road. It’s too calculated to be a random encounter.”
Jed seized her arm, and she screeched as he yanked her to her feet. A wild, searing glint burned from the depths of his stormy gray eyes, igniting the fear within her. This was a version of Jed she’d never experienced firsthand.
Genevieve parted her lips, frantically shaking her head. “I have no idea. I thought Archer was genuinely going to help me so I could rescue my mom. I didn’t contact anyone.”
Jed wrapped one of his giant hands around her throat. “I’ve had it,” he shouted. “If it takes you longer to fall for me again, so be it. You’ll quickly learn not to lie to me, and you will never betray me again. My punishments from now on will have you begging me for mercy.”
“Give me a lie detector test,” Genevieve rasped out, clawing at his hand, her nails digging into his skin as he tightened his unyielding grip. “I swear. You have my purse. Tear it to shreds. I have nothing on me. I just wanted to save my mom and run.”
“Don’t lie,” he growled.
Her eyes watered, her lungs screaming for air. “I swear, Jed,” she choked out. “I alerted no one. I don’t know who that is or how they found us.”
Jed released her, snorting out a breath. “Luke, you said you checked her belongings?”
Coughing and gasping, Genevieve collapsed onto the plush ivory-and-blue shag rug that covered the porcelain tile floor in the center of the room. Archer jogged over, looped his hands under her arms, and helped her to the sofa. Glowering at her ex-bestie, she sank into the solid gray cushions and soothed her throat, gently stroking her raw skin.
“I did,” Luke said, strutting toward the sofa. “She had a Glock and a wad of cash in her purse but no devices.” He scanned her frame with his beady eyes. “There could be something on her person, though. Want me to check?”
“It’s too late.” Jed pinched his lips together before continuing, “Even if she’s got a tracker somewhere, they’ve already got a bead on it. I should have searched her while she was passed out in the car. That’s on me.” He shot a harsh look toward his head informant. “You know better than to suggest laying a finger on my fiancée.” After a slight pause, he grumbled, “Dammit, Luke, can you not catch a clue? Eyes off.”
“Boss, I’m loyal.” Luke diverted his eyes. “I’d never do anything inappropriate. I only meant to check for?—”
“I know, Luke, we’re good.” Jed gripped the back of his neck. “I’ll check her over later and bring you any devices I find so you can analyze them. For now, take out the Hummer.”
Luke’s head reared back. “You want us to take out the vehicle? In broad daylight? It’s an Alpha, boss. Bulletproofed. That’s going to cause a massive explosion. There will be satellite images of it. Honestly, I’m not even sure if we can. That thing is basically a tank.”
Jed bared his teeth. “It’s him.”
