Free A Vampire's Honor by Carla Susan Smith Page B

moment or two to understand Gus’s intent. His indifference to the physical response his hand was eliciting made me realize this obscene perversion was an act of pure intimidation. Along with his well-muscled torso, the proof of his superior physical strength, the sight of his fully erect cock cresting from the opening of his jeans was an unspoken vile threat. And his composure was telling me he was in complete control.
    â€œJust out of curiosity,” I said in a voice that was as indifferent as I could make it, “what makes you think someone isn’t already looking for me?”
    â€œWhy would they be?” Rat Boy sounded genuinely puzzled.
    â€œI was in an accident, asshole.”
    â€œReally?” His snickering was getting on my nerves and made me want to smack the ever-living snot out of him. “Where? When?” he taunted.
    â€œThe car—”
    â€œâ€”has gone. Mr. Petrov is very good at what he does.” Rat Boy sounded more than a little awed.
    â€œThat won’t stop my boyfriend,” I told him defiantly. “He’ll be looking for me—”
    â€œHe’d better get a move on then, ’cause your clock’s winding down.”
    I looked at Gus. The coiled-snake tattoo seemed to sway slightly as he breathed.
    Do you think if he gets real excited he can make it dance? You know, like those Indian snake charmers . . .
    Gus peeled back the top of his jeans. His cock waved gently from side to side, and I forced a smile to stretch my lips. He answered with one of his own, so I made my smile expand to a grin, and then backed that up with a giggle, which in turn became a throaty laugh. His smile disappeared and was replaced by a look of confusion that quickly morphed into simmering anger. Rat Boy just looked bewildered.
    â€œDo you actually know what to do with that,” I asked, pointing a finger on my good hand at his crotch, “or is that all it does?” I waved my finger back and forth, goading him. Probably not the smartest thing to do—okay, definitely not the smartest thing to do—but I figured if I was going to be raped, I sure as shit wasn’t going down without a fight.
    My kidnappers looked at each other. I’m not sure, but I think Rat Boy offered his opinion with a gesture that said I-think-she’s-off-her-rocker. I snapped my fingers in the air, making both of them look back at me. Taking a step forward, I stared Gus in the eye. The longer it took, the worse it was going to be, and I could only hide my fear with bravado for so long. It was time to dance.
    â€œOkay, big boy,” I said scornfully, “you want to hear me scream? Let’s see if you can make me.” And crooking my forefinger, I beckoned him to me.
    He narrowed his eyes and stared at me like I was deranged, which, at that precise moment, I probably was. There’s nothing more unpredictable than someone who truly believes they have nothing left to lose. It didn’t matter that the chemical cocktail I’d been given wasn’t meant for me in the first place. Petrov’s plan had been to make sure Aleksei couldn’t find Anasztaizia before these assholes had finished with her. Breaking my fingers had not brought Gabriel to my rescue, so I had to assume either I was too far away geographically or the drug was affecting his ability to find me. Either way, Gus and I were going to get to know each other.
    And just in case my demon was wrong, I wanted Gabriel to know I’d not made it easy for my attacker.
    I watched as Gus licked his lips. The physical disparity between us definitely was to his advantage, and my injured hand tipped the odds even more in his favor, but I could see he was rethinking how to approach me. I could read it in his eyes, in his expression, in the way the muscle below his right eye suddenly began to twitch. I didn’t need a college degree to know that I wasn’t being as submissive as his usual victims.