Page 82 of Two Favors Repaid

Emma wanted to yell at the woman, to tell her Ford was using her, that he didn’t care about her or anybody else. But a quick glance from Rob had her closing her mouth again.

“Melody, we need to get ready in case they don’t wait till morning to attack. Go around the house and close all shutters, the way I showed you when we arrived. First the metal then the wooden outer frame. And get all the grenades ready. Grab the fruit bowl from the kitchen and put them in there.”

Metal shutters? Grenades?

Emma shuddered.

Ford laughed. “Yes, I made a few preparations when I bought this place. I was hoping nobody would trace it back to me, but just in case … it’s secure as Fort Knox.” As he spoke, he manipulated the shutter in this room. The metal clanged ominously.

“You’re still not getting out of here, Ford, no matter how well the windows close,” Rob said in a bored tone.

“In the meantime,” Ford said happily, as if the other man hadn’t spoken, “we’re going to film a video.”

Emma took a small step backwards.

“No, no, don’t step back, angel. You’re going to be the star of the show. I don’t have time to play with you the way I normally would, but we’re going to send a message our dear Natalie is going to love. Now, take off your shirt.”

Emma looked down at the gray top she’d put on at the hospital. It seemed like a lifetime ago. She could smell herself under the shirt.

That really should be the least of your concerns.

“You don’t have to do this, Ford,” Rob began.

“You’re going to be a star as well, Hope. You’re going to help me.”

Rob gave him a hard look. His jaw was clenched tight.

“I’ll help you when hell freezes over.”

“That might just happen over the next few minutes,” Ford threatened him. He took a step back and fished a little remote out of his pocket. “This is connected to your shock collar.”

Emma heard a little whimper. It took her a second to realize the sound was coming out of her own mouth. She wished she were stronger.

“Get on with it, Ford,” Rob said loudly.

“Take off your top, Emma, let’s see those beautiful breasts of yours.” He waved the box casually in his hand. The threat was clear.

Without looking up at Rob, Emma took off her top, letting the thin material bunch around her cuffed wrist. She stood there, shivering, in her turquoise bra and jeans.

“The bra as well,” Ford said.

Rob’s body tensed beside her.

“Let me loose and fight me like a man, Ford,” he snarled.

Ford calmly pressed a button on his remote. There was faint electric buzzing. Rob shuddered. His hand went up to his throat, desperately clutching at his neck. Emma saw the scratches his nails left on his skin as they tried to get to the collar. As quickly as it’d started, the noise stopped. Rob grunted, looking faintly green.

“Breathe, Hope, breathe. I should probably let you know this collar was designed for a very large dog. That was the lowest setting. At a higher setting, I’ve been told it might cause your throat to contract and close the airway, though,” Ford said easily. He sent a questioning look in Emma’s direction.

This time Emma didn’t hesitate. She reached back, finally managing to unclasp the strapless bra with one hand. She dropped it on the ground, the bright turquoise color incongruous on the wooden floor.

“Perfect. Now let me just bring my phone out … and this,” Ford said, flicking open a penknife. “It’s his. That’s poetic, right, angel?”

Rob’s wrist tensed against the pipe.

“You are a beautiful woman, Emma,” Ford said appreciatively. “Are you getting a hard-on, Hope?”

Beside her, Rob shook his head in disgust. He looked Ford straight in the eyes as he answered. “I could never get excited from seeing a woman’s fear,” he said.