Page 64 of My Favorite Kidnapper

“Good.”

“As long as you tell me why Winters thinks you stole something from him.”

My eyebrows shot up. She was being direct.

“You already told me you did. So I want the story.”

“Why?”

“I have a feeling it is a big part of what makes you, you.”

“You really want to know? You want to know something that basically ties you to me forever? Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”

“I doubt what you’ll tell me is going to endanger my life.”

“It would be best if you left it alone.”

“It would have been best if you’d never taken me, but that worked out okay, didn’t it? At least this time, I have a choice, and I choose to know.”

I blinked at her directness.

The timer went off, and she opened the door, sliding out the trays. My mouth watered at the scent of peanut butter cookies. “I want one.”

She frowned. “They’re hot. Give them a minute, you impatient fool. And don’t change the subject.”

“Are you telling me if I don’t give you my story, you’ll tell Carolina the unvarnished truth? You’re threatening me, Little Bee?”

She lifted her chin. “Those are the terms.”

I was wrong. She was already a force to be reckoned with. I felt a flash of pride for her.

“Tonight, then.”

“Okay.” She slid a cookie off the tray, holding it out. It began to slip, and she grabbed it, yelping at the heat.

“Sugar Honey Iced Tea!” she yelled, waving her fingers.

All my annoyance faded. Laughter took its place. I took her wrist, checking her fingers. I made her hold her hand under the running cold water, still chuckling. I kissed the reddened tips and then kissed her.

“You are fucking hilarious. I have no idea how you make me so happy.” I took the cookie, plus two others and walked out of the kitchen, shaking my head. “I’ll see you tonight, my angry little bee.”

I headed back upstairs, deciding to go for a run. I bit into the cookie, the texture and taste perfect. It was still hot, and I bit back a curse as I chewed, knowing she was right that I needed to wait. But I was an impatient fool—just like she said.

Sugar Honey Iced Tea.

I began to laugh again.

She was brilliant.

Chapter Sixteen

BRIANNA

I stepped back, admiring the cake. I was sure Dante would love it. It resembled a garden, with a variety of piped flowers on top and the sides iced to look like a trellis with more flowers. He loved icing, so I went overboard with the entire thing, hoping that would satisfy his sweet tooth.

He hadn’t come back into the kitchen, and I wasn’t sure how to take that. I was certain he would come get more cookies, but I had a feeling the call from his brother had set him on edge.

I had cleaned the kitchen as I went and put all the ingredients away. It was tidy, the cake was done, and it was still sunny outside. I wandered to the patio, sitting at the table, staring at the pool. I thought of last night and the terror I had felt as I’d sunk in the dark water. I recalled Dante’s offer to teach me how to swim and decided I would take him up on the offer.