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His fingers twitched, the cogs turning—surely working through how he could overpower me. I tapped his junk to remind him of why he should listen before inching back and putting space between us so I could leap out of grabbing range. He tracked my movement, his mouth pulling down at the corners. I rolled my eyes when he shifted to the balls of his feet. Men always assumed I was bluffing.

“Just do as you’re told. I’m a damn good shot and have a soul that makes the devil look like a saint. I won’t have a problem shooting you,” I commented, mentally calculating how long I’d been in here already. Caleb wasn’t the only threat I had to be aware of.

Something in my tone convinced him because he slowly lowered himself to the floor, arms spread out wide.

“I hope you have a good plan, little girl, because when I catch you, there’ll be hell to pay,” he promised as I dropped over the top of his back, my knees bracketing his waist. I tried to ignore the fact that if I lowered a few inches, my clit would be pressed against his powerful back.

“Hands,” I demanded, ignoring his threats. There was no way we would see each other again. His shoulders tensed the moment the hard plastic touched his wrists.

“Who fucking keeps zip ties on them?” he asked in disbelief.

The new position caused his cuffed hands to brush my upper thigh when I leaned forward. “I always keep them on hand for moments like this,” I whispered in his ear, savoring the heat of his body.

“Fuck,” he said under his breath, the word drenched in anger and…lust? “How did you even get in here? No one knows about this office.”

“Oh, Caleb, a woman never reveals her secrets,” I said, reaching behind me and grabbing his pant leg, using the expensive fabric to pull his ankle to his wrist.

“Seriously? You’re going to hogtie me?” he snarled, bucking his hips up to unseat me. He stilled when he felt the barrel pressed to the back of his head.

“Be a good boy and lie here, and I’ll be out of your hair in a moment,” I bit out.

Caleb turned his head. He had to press his cheek to the dirty floor in order to glare up at me. “You’ll fucking pay for this.”

There was no stopping the cocky smile forming on my face. “It’s cute that you think that. You don’t know who I am, do you?” I taunted, knowing full well my face was covered and there was only a sliver of light coming in from the windows.

He raked his eyes over me, and the smirk that appeared caused my gut to tighten in anticipation. It was so primal that my subconscious begged me to run.

“Macushla, you’ve made quite the impression tonight. I’ll remember you, and when I find you, it’ll be my turn to hogtie you, eh? That pretty olive skin of yours will be so fun to mark up. I bet you’ll scream so pretty for me,” he snarled, the green of his eyes now practically black.

Thank God for the ski mask, because I could feel my cheeks flush. I was going to need a cold shower after this exchange. I didn’t know whether his words were sexual or homicidal. Ironically, they turned me on just the same.

“We’ll see, Caleb. But for now, do as you’re told and stay.” I attempted to sound haughty and unfazed when I answered, but my words sounded breathy, causing his eyes to flare.

I looped the strap of my bag over my shoulder, stepping across his massive frame and making my way toward the windows.

“Wait? Where the fuck are you going?” he called out.

The window groaned as I heaved it up, air tickling my heated skin while bringing in the scents and sounds of the city below.

“You didn’t think I would chance walking back through the club, did you?” I asked over my shoulder as my toes touched the small ledge.

“We’re three fucking stories up. Get your ass back in here and use the door like a sane person.”

The slight edge of panic in his voice caused me to look over at him—I was surprised to hear any. He wriggled around, attempting to loosen his bonds, but when his eyes met mine, I swore I saw concern.

“What about tonight has led you to believe I’m sane? Don’t worry. I’ve done this plenty of times.” I paused. “And if you get caught, just tell people you’re into kinky sex.” I winked before stepping out into the muggy night, closing the window behind me.

My eyes widened when, through the glass, I saw that he’d already gotten a hand undone and was working on the other. I’d left them loose on purpose, but damn, he was quick. I scurried along the ledge at an impressive pace before leaping onto the nearest fire escape and scrambling down, wincing as I leaped from one platform to another.

Let the knees absorb the shock. Yeah, right. Falling still hurt like a bitch. A roar sounded from above, but I didn’t chance taking a peek.

“I will find you, macushla.” His voice carried over the sounds of the city. “And when I do, I will wring that pretty throat of yours.”

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end with the amount of conviction he put behind his words.

CHAPTER 5

SCAR