“Baby, quit crying. You’re breaking my heart.”
She stared at him in confusion. “I’m not crying.”
“Where are you hurt?”
“My ankle.”
When he lifted it in his gentle grasp, she bit down the cry that would have escaped and made herself breathe through her nose until she calmed down.
“Why didn’t you let me go? Another second and I would have been out of here.” Her accusing eyes never left him as his fingers searched her swollen ankle. She tried to jerk it from his grasp.
“Give me your shirt, Fade.” Ice’s gentle behavior disappeared.
Fade took off his shirt and handed it to him. Ice ripped it into strips then started winding them around her ankle without a word.
Grace turned her head away, unable to look at him. He told her he regretted involving her. Yet when the chance for her to leave had come, he had stopped it instantly. It was her own fault for feeling betrayed. She of all people knew how criminals’ minds worked. Winston would pretend to be her friend, only to hurt her over and over again while he had her. Ice was no different; he just used a different method.
Ice sat down on a chair when he finished, lifting her from the table and onto his lap.
Furious at him, she smacked his face and tried to get up, ignoring the pain she was causing her foot. “I hate you,” she spat. “Don’t touch me. You could have let me go!” She beat at his chest with her fists.
Ice caught both of her fists in his hand, pulling them behind her back and holding them in one of his. His other hand went to her face, making her meet his eyes. “As soon as I can, your pretty little ass will be out of here. Do you understand me?” He gripped her hands harder. “Don’t ever hit out at me again. I told you I would let you go when I could. And I’ll touch you any fucking time I want to.” One of his hands went to her breast, laying claim to the flesh. He didn’t move his fingers and explore, making sure she knew she didn’t give him orders.
“I believed you! You promised I wouldn’t get hurt.” She wildly waved her foot in the air. “Well, I did. So, no, I won’t believe anything you say ever again.”
Ice removed his hand, pulling her closer until her breasts were flat against his chest. His hand slid to her hair, forcing her to be still. “Baby, you can deal with a sprained ankle. If you’re going to be my woman, you’ve got to toughen up.”
“You freaking asshole. I wouldn’t be your woman if you were the last man on Earth. You think I’m weak-minded enough to fall for the man responsible for me being a hostage in a prison?”
“You’ll get over it.” His grin sent her blood boiling, but she could see it was useless to argue with the insane man. Instead, she closed her mouth, not saying another word.
“Ah, the silent treatment.” He stood up, placing her gently down on the chair.
He motioned for Max. “See if you can do a better job this time,” Ice said, moving away.
A red-faced Max sat down next to her.
“It wasn’t your fault—”
“Yes, it was. I was too busy talking and not paying attention. You saw them coming before I did.”
Grace felt bad his pride was hurt then wanted to smack herself for actually feeling sorry for him. She had to get her emotions under control. These men were not her friends; they were her enemies.
Chapter 10
Ice sent Fade in to open the last door between them and freedom. Jackal stood to the side of the door, his posture challenging anyone who dared to come near.
“That was close.”
“Too close,” Ice stated grimly.
“I shouldn’t have had my back to those fuckers.”
Unlike Max, Ice hadn’t had to reprimand Jackal; he knew he fucked up.
Ice sighed. “She grabs your attention and doesn’t let it go.”
“I know better, never got distracted before. She’s got a hell of a smile.”
“Yeah, too good. It’s going to get her in trouble.”
“Already has.” Jackal left no doubt of his meaning.
Ice changed the subject. “Keep an eye on Fade. I want him out fast. The longer it goes on, the chances increase for one of us to go down.”
He moved away. He was fucking tired; he hadn’t slept since this had begun. Both nights, he had gotten up as soon as Grace had fallen asleep so his brothers could take turns sleeping. It was catching up with him.
Grace had almost gotten away. If that metal door had opened, a team of tactical officers would have swarmed them within seconds. It had been a close call. He would have had to end the job, and he always completed a job once he took it. Grace had been an unanticipated problem, which made the job more dangerous. The warden and the law enforcement breathing at the door had a huge weight on their shoulders for a happy outcome.