Stepbrother Soldier's Baby: The Hero (The Complete Series) by Lila Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

the pit of my stomach, I knew the answer: I wanted Nate.
    In spite, of his past, his mistakes, his scars- I was hopelessly drawn to him. Was it love? I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t stay away.
    I pulled at my restraints. Of course, I didn’t have a choice but to be a part of his life. I was having his baby and now Jackson had taken me hostage to ensure Nate’s cooperation with his plans.
    The SUV slowed. I looked out the front and was surprised to see a gate. A soldier stood guard in front of it. He wore fatigues and carried an assault rifle.
    Jackson rolled down his window. The guard saluted him and opened the gate. I looked at the guard, hoping he’d see the distress on my face and do something. It was all in vain. He stared straight ahead; his eyes empty of emotion.
    The SUV drove into an airplane hangar. A private jet was lit up and surrounded by soldiers packing crates. I remembered Nate saying he would be traveling overseas to work. Apparently, they were planning on taking me with them.
    Jackson stopped the vehicle and got out. He opened my door and pulled me out. His eyes were glassy and a smirk was plastered across his face.
    When I’d first seen him outside my window, he looked deranged. The way he raved about how he wasn’t going down for what I did was insane. The Jackson standing before me looked completely in control. What had happened? How did his mind switch gears so quickly? All of his paranoia was gone.
    A man in a suit strolled up to us. “Nathan!” he called amicably. He wrapped his arms around Nate in a big hug. Grudgingly, Nate hugged him back. “Did you think you could slip away? I mean, beating up your wife and getting thrown in jail is certainly a novel way of avoiding us. Unseemly, but-”
    “I didn’t hurt my wife.”
    For the first time since being forced inside the SUV, Nate looked angry. This wasn’t the time to rehash the drama with Mia, but I didn’t blame him for being upset.
    “Whatever you say,” the man replied. “The important thing is that you’re here now.” The man’s eyes fell on me. “And who is this?”
    “Insurance,” Jackson said.
    The man’s eyes fell back on Nate. “Do we need insurance? Are you going to be a problem?”
    “No. I’m committed to the project,” Nate replied.
    The man nodded as if he didn’t entirely believe Nate, but wasn’t willing to argue about it. “Take her in back for now,” the man said to Jackson.
    Jackson grabbed my elbow and pulled me towards a small office. Desperately, I looked to Nate for help. I didn’t want to be alone with Jackson. I didn’t think he would kill me, but there was nothing to stop him from hurting me.
    Nate took a step towards us, but stopped. He watched as I was dragged away with a look of barely contained rage on his face. I found it oddly hopeful. At least he hadn’t given up.
    Jackson kicked open an office door and pushed me inside. He threw me down onto a swivel chair behind the desk.
    “Wait here,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
    “I can’t wait,” I mumbled through my gag.
    “What?”
    I shook my head. Once the office door closed, I reached up and untied my gag. I opened my mouth wide and rubbed my jaw. The tension from the gag had given me a headache.
    There was a window facing the road we’d just come in on. I ran to it and pulled on the frame. It wouldn’t open.
    I sat down and started to go through the desk’s drawers. I searched for a pen, or a pencil, or a letter opener. They wouldn’t make for very good weapons, but it was better than nothing.
    I pulled open all the drawers. They were mostly empty except for paperclips and rubber bands. I slammed the last desk drawer shut with frustration. The office was empty except for a filing cabinet. I started to search them when Jackson came back into the room. He stopped to consider me.
    “Have you been behaving yourself?” he asked.
    “Of course.” I smiled sweetly.
    He frowned. “I’m going to overlook the fact that you