I roll my eyes. “Then I would die from starvation instead of at your hand, before you’ve had your way with me. Now, who’s a liar?”
After that, we finish eating our coconuts without any more smart remarks.
“Let’s go,” Langston says soon after I’ve finished my last bite.
“Where? Back to camp?”
He raises a brow with a large smirk as he holds his hand out to me. I reluctantly let him help me off the ground. “No, to my house.”
I gasp.
“You’re lying.”
“Follow me, and you’ll find out.” He takes off at a quick speed, almost like he’s running as he carries his backpack, bow, and arrows.
I run after, still not sure if I believe him or not.
Suddenly, Langston stops at a clearing.
I follow his gaze out to see a large house—the kind you see celebrities renting when they take vacations to private islands. I would guess the house has at least ten bedrooms and as many bathrooms. I can see a large infinity pool, and the landscaping is immaculate. There are people living on this island.
“You son of a bitch! You had us sleep on the ground last night. You made me think that we were on a deserted island, just the two of us. You bastard!”
I hit him squarely in the shoulder. More pissed that he lied to me, tricked me, and I fell for it than I am that he made me sleep on the dirt when there was a mansion with big fluffy beds not ten minutes from where we slept.
He catches my fist before I hit him again.
“We lie to each other, Liesel. Don’t expect anything less from me. I will lie, cheat, trick you, hurt you, go as far as it takes. You think what I did last night was cruel? You have no idea what I have planned for you. End this now and tell me the truth.”
“I’ll decide if I tell a truth or a lie. I’ll decide what happens to me.”
He stands tall, looking down at me, making hot desire shoot through my body.
Damn him and his commanding expression turning me on.
“You’ll tell me every truth you have. You won’t be able to survive without spilling your secrets.”
I’ll survive, alright. He won’t get the truth, only lies. I just hope I can keep to my own words. I hope I’m not lying to myself.
18
Langston
I let Liesel aim an arrow at me, knowing how good of a shot she is. She could have killed me if, deep down, she truly wanted to.
But she didn’t. She’s not a killer like I am.
She’s done some horrible things in her life, but she doesn’t kill. Even her worst enemies. Even me.
It was a gamble.
I didn’t know how Liesel truly felt—now I do. She hasn’t changed. She’s a monster, done some horrible things. Things she deserves to pay for, die for, but I don’t have to worry about her slitting my throat in the middle of the night.
That’s where she draws the line—murder.
There are two types of people in this world: the kind who kill and those who can’t, no matter the circumstances. You could say there is a third group of people: ones who kill in self-defense, only when their own life is threatened. But those types of people don’t exist. It’s a lie.
You can either kill or you can’t.
It makes no difference the reason why. And once you cross that line, you can never go back.
Liesel hasn’t crossed that line. If she can’t cross that line to save her own neck now, then she never will.
Still, letting her shoot at me was incredibly reckless.
I shouldn’t have been so careless. There was a time when it wouldn’t have mattered if I died. Now, it’s important to stay alive.
Liesel may not have meant to offer a truth, but she did. It may be the only truth I get from her for a while, but it’s a start.
“Stay close,” I say to Liesel as we start walking down the hillside toward my home.
She laughs. “I’m not following any of your orders.”
She takes off at a full sprint toward the house.
She’s not running away. I should just let her throw her tantrum, let her think she’s won and punish her for her mistakes later.
But I’m not going to let her gain an inch.
I run after her.
She’s quick and has a head start, but I’m faster.
She drops her sweatshirt, trying to sprint faster, but running won’t save her.
Two more leaps, and I tackle her to the grass. Liesel tries to fight back, but she doesn’t have a chance. I overpower her easily, pinning her arms above her head as my weight holds her waist and legs down. She pants heavily with more anger than fear flickering in her hazel eyes.
She’s covered in dirt, sand, and grass. There is nothing sexy about our appearances, and yet my erection pushes against her stomach. There is no hiding it.
I growl instead of claiming her mouth like I want to.
“When I give you an order, you follow it.”
She grins. “No. I’m not afraid of you.”
“Liar,” I breathe against her neck. “I can smell the terror in your sweat, feel the speed of your pulse—you’re petrified.”
“I’m out of breath from running. Of course, I’m sweating, and my pulse is racing.”
I shake my head as I see my staff approaching to greet me. They pause, but Liesel glances up, realizing we have an audience.
“Do you see them?” I say, grabbing her chin and tilting her head up so I know she does.
Her eyes cut back to me.
“They work for me. They know exactly who I am, the evil I’ve done, and they still choose me. Their loyalty is with me. Every single one would die for me. Try to turn them. Try to run from them. Try, huntress.
“Heed my warning…don’t trust anyone here. Don’t think you are safe. Everyone here has done fucked up things—stolen, tortured, killed. That’s the only way they end up working for me. And I won’t stop them from hurting you…”
Liesel’s eyes widen.
“You are only safe by my side, following my orders. If you do as I say, if you tell the truth, then your life here will be easy.”
“I’ll still end up dead. What incentive is there to follow your orders?”
I stroke her face, and she turns her head, trying to get away from me.
“Your body might enjoy my touch, but would you enjoy theirs?”
She gasps.
Finally, I got through to her. She’s in danger when she’s not with me, not following me. It won’t keep her from fighting, but it might prevent her from seeking help from someone she shouldn’t.
Slowly, I inch off her, despite my body screaming to crush her. To have my way with her right here, right now in the grass in front of everyone. To show everyone that she’s mine.
She’s not mine. She never will be. Not truly.
I stand, but don’t offer her a hand. I watch her closely, waiting to see if she will follow my orders this time or not. When she stands close and doesn’t run, she’s agreed to be obedient—for now, at least.
I nod my approval at her change in attitude.
It’s fake. I’m not naive enough to think this will last, but it will for now.
“Stay close,” I say again.
She grabs my hand and squeezes, pressing her vivacious body against mine. “Close enough?” she purrs.