Total pages in book: 205
Estimated words: 204377 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1022(@200wpm)___ 818(@250wpm)___ 681(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 204377 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1022(@200wpm)___ 818(@250wpm)___ 681(@300wpm)
The odds are stacked against me. I’m not smart enough. Not skilled enough. Not brave enough.
It’s me against my shortcomings.
But no matter what happens, I won’t let fears and insecurities be my downfall.
This is going to be hard. It will probably hurt like hell. But I will survive it.
9
Frankie
—
Ribbons of fear unfurl in my stomach as I climb the stairs to the massive porch and step inside the arctic entryway.
In this climate, every building has one of these enclosed vestibules to separate the interior from the harsh outdoors. This one serves as a mudroom, lined with boots and coats and random outerwear.
Denver removes his jacket and gestures for me to hang my coat next to his.
“I’m cold.” Hugging my waist, I burrow into the warm goose down and the stolen provisions it conceals.
“You’ll get used to it.” He opens the interior door, letting me keep the coat.
Relieved, I follow him in and…
Holy shit.
It’s gorgeous. Luxurious. Beyond anything I could’ve imagined.
Heat rolls off the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace in the sitting room. Another fireplace burns in the open kitchen at the opposite end of the cabin. The walls, made of polished logs, gleam in the blinding sunlight.
There’s so much to take in, but I’m only interested in what I don’t see.
His sons.
Where did they go? Upstairs?
A large, curving staircase leads up to a catwalk that runs the length of the cabin and connects to at least two bedrooms. The hallway at the bottom of the stairs points to more rooms.
They could be anywhere in this enormous log cabin.
The scent of rosemary and baked fish wafts from the kitchen. Two-story windows cover the rear of the house, illuminating every dust-free surface and sparkling clean corner.
Glossy wood floors, handcrafted furniture, commercial appliances, glass chandeliers and sconces—all of it adds masculine charm and modern-day convenience to a cabin that sits completely off the grid.
It’s nothing short of a marvel that four Alaskan outdoorsmen live under this roof, and there’s not a smelly sock, dirty dish, or discarded fishing pole in sight.
None of this should be possible. How were all the materials brought here and constructed? The few cabins that exist north of the Arctic Circle are barely equipped with electricity and running water. Maybe we’re not in Alaska at all.
Regardless, given the remote location, this would’ve cost billions to build, heat, and power. Especially through the harsh winters.
“I’m such an idiot.” A mirthless laugh shakes from my throat. “I offered you a ransom.” Turning, I meet Denver’s gaze behind me. “I bet you have more money than…”
“Your husband?”
Monty.
What is he doing right now? Is he fraught with grief? Or is he at work, carrying on with his life like I never existed?
Even if he isn’t looking for me, the hospital would’ve reported my absence. I never missed a day of work, let alone no-showed three shifts in a row.
Someone will find me. I just need to stay alive until that happens.
But I can’t stay here.
Why would an attractive multi-billionaire kidnap a married nurse from Sitka? Because only a multi-billionaire can afford a setup like this.
Makes it easy to forget, if only for a moment, that dead bodies might be hidden in the walls.
I push the thought down and look at my kidnapper. “How wealthy are you?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Told you this isn’t about money.”
“There are women far more beautiful and accommodating than me who would jump at the chance to live here and be your…whatever this is.”
“Yes. But I want you.”
My skin chills. “What are you going to do to me?”
“Feed you. Give you a tour of Hoss. Help you settle in.”
“That’s not all.”
“No? Enlighten me.”
“Four men live here. And no women. Correct?”
“Correct.”
“It doesn’t take a genius to guess my role.” I swallow, hyperaware of the ax’s weight in my coat.
“Go on.”
“Cooking, cleaning, fetching your beer, spreading my legs.” A swallow sticks in my throat. “Those are the first things that come to mind.”
“Does it look like we need someone to clean up after us?” He motions at the spotless sitting room.
“I know I’m not the first woman you brought here. If I had to guess, the last one hasn’t been gone long enough for the place to get dirty, which is why I’m here. To pick up where she left off.”
“Do you smell that?”
My eyebrows pull together. While I’m trying not to stare at his despicably handsome face, I’m also trying to ignore the delicious aroma of food coming from the kitchen. When was the last time I ate?
Without my answer, he ambles toward the source of that scent and whatever—or whomever—waits out of view around the corner.
I peer back at the entryway, heart thumping.
Should I run now? On an empty stomach?
With a quick glance toward Denver, I find him watching me from the other end of the cabin, as if waiting for me to do something stupid.