Eli’s man pushes me forward, grabbing onto my hair and shoving me down onto the bed. Another one steps forward, rolling me onto my stomach to release the zip tie, but the relief is short-lived. He spins meonto my back, pulling my hands overhead to secure the rope around my wrists.
It digs into my already raw and bloody skin.
Eli watches, ignoring my cries to be set free and unbothered by his men manhandling me. He’s the picture of composure, checking his phone when it pings, and having the nerve to smile at what’s on the screen when I’m kidnapped and bound before him.
His men finish tying my wrists, taking a step back.
“The ring.” Eli tips his chin to my hand. “Bring it to me.”
“That’s mine.” I curl my fingers, trying to prevent him from taking my wedding ring. But Eli’s man rears back, hitting my cheek so hard the shock has me releasing my grip.
He slips the ring off, walking it over to Eli as my head throbs.
“Impressive rock for a scumbag biker.” Eli turns the stone over in his hand, examining it.
“You know nothing about my husband,” I grit out.
His stare turns deathly cold. “Leave us.”
His men shuffle from the room, closing the door behind them and leaving me with a monster.
Eli doesn’t immediately approach the bed. Instead, he sets the ring on a table by the door, slowly stripping off his jacket next. His fingers brush the pristine charcoal fabric, smoothing it over.
“You’re a pretty girl, Emery,” he says, turning to me. “But not pretty enough to be this much trouble.”
Eli dips his hands in his pockets, pacing the room with complete composure. His gaze sweeps the open windows as he saunters past, finally pausing at the bed.
“Then maybe you should let me go.” I tip my chin up, refusing to let him scare me.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You’re worth too much to let you go now.”
“I’m not worth anything,” I lie, and his smile is proof he also knows it’s not true. “Does my uncle know what you’ve done?”
“I’m sure he’s heard by now.” Eli shrugs, unbothered. “I used to think your uncle had all the answers. After all, his name is written all over Vegas. He’s clearly done something right. But then I saw how he was with you—his little weakness. No matter how much he pretended not to give a shit about you, he let you get away with one thing after another. I should have known then that there were easier ways to get him to cooperate.”
He circles the bed, slowly, nearing the side I’m tied to.
“My uncle doesn’t care about me.”
“He cares about what you can do for him.” Eli pauses, so close I can smell his sandalwood cologne.
“Is that why I’m here then? So you can use me against him? Hold me for ransom? It won’t work. He won’t give you anything for me.”
“I don’t need him to give me anything when we both know he isn’t the one who has it. Isn’t that right, Emery?” Eli’s smile turns malicious as he sinks onto the mattress, sitting so close his fingertips brush my side. “The fortuneisn’t in his name; you know that by now, don’t you? It’s in yours.”
I try to shift away, but with how my hands are bound by the ropes, I don’t get far.
“When you ran off to the compound, I was less than thrilled. But it turns out, your boyfriend has been quite helpful.”
“Myhusband,” I correct.
“For now.” His eyes narrow. “He dug up all sorts of dirt trying to protect you. His club got into files my men couldn’t crack. They found the bank where your uncle was storing money he’s been skimming from his businesses, and it all made sense after that. We couldn’t find where Zane was hiding his money because it wasn’t his money at all. It was yours. It turns out I never needed him to access his fortune; I just needed you.”
“I’m not giving you anything.” My teeth clench.
“You say that now.” He plants a hand on my knee, dragging it up my thigh. Even through my jeans, the heat of his palm has my stomach turning. “We’ll see how long it takes for you to change your mind.”
I twist away, and he chuckles, amused.
