had a raging headache and a mouth that tasted like a rat had crawled inside and died. Whatever I’d consumed hadn’t been just beer.
Although it was a muted roar, I knew what a plane engine sounded like. Judging by the bed and en suite bathroom, I was in a very expensive private jet. I supposed it was better than being locked in the trunk of a car on the way to a shallow grave like I’d expected.
I probably should have been terrified, but I was more angry than afraid. If my kidnapper had wanted me dead, I probably wouldn’t have woken from my drugged sleep. He’d have executed me in the parking lot instead of loading me into a posh aircraft. At the very least, I’d have been restrained. He might have left me naked, which was scary by itself, but I was alive and free to move around.
Everything was too confusing, and I didn’t know what to think. If he didn’t want me dead, what did he want? Not knowing was almost worse.
I sat up and tried to rub the tension from my neck, but my hand fell on stiff leather instead of bare skin.
“Hell no, that asshole did not collar me.” Tugging at the thick leather gained me nothing except another broken nail. The buckle was secured with some sort of locking mechanism I couldn’t figure out without seeing it.
“Fucker,” I muttered, trudging to the bathroom. I took care of business and washed up. One glance in the mirror made me want to hide under the sheets. My eyes were swollen from my allergic reaction to the down bedding and there was a shiner on my cheekbone from a wayward elbow, which had happened during the derby.
My hip also ached, a sharp stab of pain that probably came from Alice’s body check dropping me to my ass in the first jam. Man, I wanted to be Alice when I grew up. Well into her fifties, she had three grandkids and still managed to be a fantastic blocker.
Focus, dammit!
Worse, I still couldn’t figure out the lock on the collar. I eyed the shower. I stank, and it might help relieve some of my aches and pains. Then again, if I smelled bad, whoever had taken me might be less likely to touch me. Without thinking, I exited the lavatory.
“A beautiful woman shouldn’t play such dangerous sports. You look horrible.”
Flinching, I bit back a squeak of surprise, then darted forward and grabbed the comforter, wrapping it around myself. It would make me sneeze again, but I didn’t want him seeing me.
The sexy stubble still covered his jaw and the voice was the same, but he wore a suit instead of jeans. His dark eyes twinkled with amusement, yet I didn’t see any malice. Maybe he had a better poker face than I did.
I should have known he was too good to be true. The Rossi legacy had finally caught up to me. It was a pity my future killer was so gorgeous. Then again, he hadn’t done a thing to hurt me.
Yet.
Shivering, I tried to regain my composure. Maybe I could talk my way out of this. My studio might pay to get me back, and I had a decent nest egg tucked away for emergencies.
“That might have something to do with being drugged and kidnapped. Where are you taking me?” Without warning, I sneezed, then wiped my watery eyes.
“Are you ill?” he asked, frowning.
“No, I’m allergic to down,” I retorted. “Before you get started doing whatever it is asshole goodfellas do to innocent women born into the wrong families, I have nothing to do with any Rossi enterprise, whether legal or not, but if it’s money you’re after, my studio will pay for my return.”
I had no desire to be sucked into that filthy family business. My mother had given up everything to keep me safe, including her health and eventually her life. Lack of health insurance and money meant her cancer went undetected until it was too late. She worked two jobs until the very end to keep me in college, and I’d never known it.
She’d asked me to come home the weekend she died, and I… I hadn’t made it in time. I swallowed the sob trying to crawl up my throat. God, I missed her.
“I have no interest in ransoming you,” he murmured, piercing me with those dark eyes. “Did you know your grandfather is dying of cancer?”
“I—”
“Just as your mother did.” He fingered a small