Yield to Me by Tory Richards Read Free Book Online Page A

real thing, instinctively knowing if she knew her kidnapping was a
scheme concocted by her own father she wouldn’t remain manageable for very
long. Especially if she was anything like her father.
    “It takes a brave man to control
someone by threatening to hurt innocent people. Your mother must be very proud
of you,” she said in a voice laced with venom, her eyes snapping defiantly at
him.
    “Let’s leave my mother out of this,
princess.” His tone was deceptively soft.
    “And stop calling me princess,” she
demanded. When Brent leaned toward her, she nervously pulled the coverlet up to
her chin as though it offered protection.
    He laughed softly, putting a long
finger beneath her chin and tipping it up. Her lips parted slightly; he was
close enough to feel the warmth of her breath against his face. “What do you
want me to call you?” In spite of her attempt to jerk away he held her firmly.
    “Miss Adams,” she replied smartly.
    Her comment produced a bark of
humorless laughter from him. She was serious. “I think we’re past those
formalities, don’t you?” His gaze dropped, traveling from the startled
expression in her eyes to her lips. She had a sassy mouth, just begging to be
tamed. The memory of what she felt like squirming beneath him surfaced,
hardening his resolve to ignore her appeal. “Consider yourself our guest until
Lord pays up.” His tone became as cold and sharp as a glacier. She shuddered at
the mention of Jonathan’s name, a reaction that didn’t go unnoticed by Brent.
    “What makes you think Jonathan will
pay any ransom to get me back?” she finally voiced.
    His brows rose with surprise. “The
fact he loves you. You were supposed to become his wife tomorrow.” Brent
watched her reaction carefully, his gaze narrowing. “Weren’t you?”
    Brent schooled himself not to show
any interest by the transformation that came over her face. Her expression suddenly
revealed precisely what she felt for her soon-to-be husband, which confirmed
the senator’s suspicions. She wasn’t exactly ecstatic over the prospect of
marrying the millionaire. The million-dollar question was why. So far the
senator had yet to fill him on all the details. He reached inside his pants
pocket and pulled out the engagement ring he’d snatched off the table on their
way out of her place.
    “Maybe wearing his ring will give
you some comfort.” The ring felt heavy in his hand. He glanced down at it, seeing
the many facets of color catching the varying shades of light in the room. He’d
always considered diamonds were cold stones resembling a chunk of ice. He
glanced back at Sophie; she made him think of fiery opals and warm pearls.
    Her gaze dropped to his palm and the
truth became transparent in her lovely eyes. If he flushed it down the toilet,
she wouldn’t care. Only he knew she’d never admit to that. She was too well
bred and private, too proud. She raised her chin, meeting his quiet gaze with
the swell of tears swimming in her eyes, exposing her vulnerability. Brent
forced down his protective instincts.
    “That stone is worth millions, why
don’t you just keep it and let me go?” she asked, breaking the silence.
    He continued to hold the ring toward
her. “Where would be the fun in that?”
    She took the ring with obvious
reluctance. “Thank you.” Her low tone exposed the degree of emotion running
through her. For a second Brent was sure he saw how much she detested Jonathan
reflected in her eyes before she masked it. She curled her hand around the cold
stone until her knuckles turned white. “What now? You gag me and tie me to the
bed?”
    “That’s up to you. If you give me
your word you’ll behave, you can have the freedom to move around the room. Double
cross me, and I’ll be forced to keep you drugged.”
    “Drugged!” Her eyes grew round. It was clear she didn’t like the thought, yet
she didn’t say anything more. It didn’t take a genius to realize she was
weighing her options.