Taken With The Enemy by Tia Fanning Read Free Book Online Page B

replied. “But what prompted your decision? Tell me about the moment that started you on the road to your profession."
    No.
    "I don't know,” I said slowly. “It's just something I always wanted to do. Are you going to answer my question?"
    He nodded. “You're here because I need you to be."
    "That's a very vague explanation."
    Cocking his head to the left, his gaze scanned over my face. “And so was yours."
    I looked away. “I know what you want to hear, but that's very personal. I don't talk about it."
    "I understand,” he replied. “And I will not force you to."
    Swinging my head around, I glared at him accusingly. “Are you not? You're demanding a trade of information. I can't do that. You're my en—"
    "Don't say it,” he warned.
    My heart thudded at the acid in his tone.
    "I'm not asking you for government secrets,” he continued. “I'm just asking you to tell me about yourself."
    "I can't. A captive should never give her captor personal information. Why do you want to know anyway? To hold it over me later? To manipulate me? To play more mind games?"
    "Okay, discussion over."
    "No. Tell me why I'm here. Why do you need me? If not for government secrets or some kind of intelligence that will give you a tactical advantage, then what? Ransom?"
    "Brenna, I'm not going to argue with you. We've done enough of that tonight."
    I exhaled my frustration, but let the subject drop. I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with him.
    "Look, I don't have a lot of time left,” he said. “I want to make a deal with you before I go."
    "You're leaving again? Go figure,” I muttered.
    Inwardly, I cringed. Why should I care either way? I shouldn't ... I didn't.
    "I don't have much of a choice. I wasn't supposed to come back for another three days."
    "Then why are you here?"
    "I was worried about you. I heard you weren't eating, that you rarely left your room...” he trailed off.
    My insides heated and I melted like a teenage girl getting the team captain's jacket on a cold night. No—I would not be swayed again by his sweet words of concern. If he hadn't brought me here in the first place, I wouldn't have fasted in protest.
    He rose to his feet and held out his hand. “But, I am flattered to know that you will miss me when I'm gone."
    I smirked, then put my hand in his, letting him help me off the bench. He weaved my arm through his and we started down the paved path.
    "What makes you think I'll miss you?"
    "Because you always have the most engaging responses when I tell you I am leaving. The first time you were sad, this time, you were angry."
    "Don't take my responses to heart,” I said, annoyed by his observation. “My caring is just a symptom of Stockholm Syndrome."
    He held open the door for me. “If you say so,” he replied, guiding me over the threshold.
    "What do you mean by that?"
    He led me toward the stairwell. “So, you're not attracted to me at all?"
    What? What!?!
    "Not in the least,” I assured him.
    "You're lying."
    "The hell I am.” Fuck! I was. In a sick, demented way, I was. I was attracted to him. God help me...
    "Did I mention how easy you are to read?” he asked.
    "Yes,” I growled. “This is the third time you've said it tonight."
    He laughed. “I'm sure it's just the Stockholm Syndrome making you feel that way."
    Before I could agree with his statement, he swept me in to his arms and carried me up the steps. But instead of putting me down when we reached the top, he continued to my room. Still reeling from the ‘attraction’ comment, I didn't fight against his display of chivalry.
    When we got to the door, still open the way I'd left it, he stepped inside and set me on my feet. I took a couple of steps back to put some distance between us.
    "Here's the deal,” he said, leaning against the doorframe. “As long as you eat three square meals a day, you can go into the courtyard. Whenever you want to walk outside, just pick up the phone and leave a message. Someone will come to escort you