Page 10 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

“Good,” Ford grunts. “I don’t feel any bumps, but I want to check her out just to be sure. We need to wake her up.”

A sharp, pungent odor fills my nostrils, and before I can remember I’m supposed to be playing dead I cough and yank my head away from the disgusting scent.

“Oh, thank god.” Dane’s voice is rough, almost like he’s holding back tears. But I know that can’t be right, and now I’m the one who’s worried I might actually have a concussion.

Remembering that’s what I’m supposed to be faking, I press a hand to my head and let out a low, pained moan. “Wh-what happened? My head is killing me.”

Ford shoots the man who calls himself my Daddy a glare before turning his attention back to me, his expression softening. “You had a bit of an accident, sweet girl. Do you remember if you hit your head when your Daddy caught you in the woods?”

“I–I don’t remember.”

“That’s okay, sweetheart. Uncle Ford is going to conduct some tests and we’ll go from there. I need you to keep your eyes open for me, can you do that?”

Sniffling, I nod, then wince for effect, earning Dane another sharp glare from—I assume—his brother. Picking up a small flashlight, Ford shines it in my eyes, then pulls it away again, relief flickering over his face.

“Pupils are reacting normally to light, which is a good sign. Can you tell me what today’s date is, Vanessa?”

I recite the wrong date, and Ford’s mouth dips down into a frown. We run through a few more tests together, with me intentionally fucking each one up. Shaking his head, Ford moves over to a long counter, where he picks up what looks like a walkie-talkie before turning back with a sympathetic smile. “Your Daddy and I are going to step outside for a moment. You sit right there, little girl, and rest.” His gaze hardens as it flicks toward his brother. “Dane. A word.”

Frowning, Dane looks from me to Ford and back again. “Daddy will be right back, little fox. You just sit quietly and try not to jostle your head.”

I nod, then let out a little moan, clutching my head as if just that small movement has caused me immense pain. Looking somewhat frantic, Dane lets himself be pulled out of the room. When the door clicks shut behind them, I count to ten to make sure they aren’t planning to throw it open again to catch me doing something naughty.

Once I’m certain I’m safe, I jump down from the table and hurry over to the window. I can’t rely on these assholes to actually follow through with taking me to the hospital, so in the event they change their mind and try to treat me here, I need a backup plan.

Running my hands over the window frame, I search frantically for the locks, a relieved sob rising up inside me when the latches give easily at my touch. The window slides up without a sound, and I press my nose to the screen.

Maybe I should go ahead and make a run for it while he’s distracted. Even if they do take me to be treated for a concussion, there’s no guarantee that whoever they take me to won’t be part of their nefarious plans.

With a quick glance over my shoulder to ensure I’m not in danger of being caught again, I pop the screen out of the window and grip the frame, hauling myself up through the opening.

To freedom.

CHAPTER 5

DANE

“Well? Do we need to take her to a hospital?”

Worry beats frantically at my chest as my brother closes the door to his exam room behind us. But Ford no longer looks worried. If anything, he looks downright… amused.

“No, I don’t believe we do.”

“Why not? She got all the questions wrong.”

Nodding, Ford holds up the baby monitor he grabbed from the room and switches it on. “She did get them all wrong. Every single one. Without hesitation.”

The implication sets in as I watch Vanessa slide from the table, her head whipping around without a hint of the pain she showed just a few seconds ago.

“Clever little fox,” I murmur, taking the monitor from Ford’s hands as I watch her run her fingers over the window frame.

“Very clever. I had a feeling she was faking it, but I didn’t want to play around with a head injury. But clearly, she is feeling much better.”

“Clearly. Thanks, Ford.” Shoving the monitor back into Ford’s hands, I stride toward the front door, making my way around to the side of the house just in time to see my brave Little girl shimmy out of the window. With silent steps I hurry forward, positioning myself beneath her as she tumbles toward the ground—and lands right in my open arms.

Eyes wide with shock, she stares up at me. “Fuck.”

“I’d say that about covers it, my naughty little faker.”