but I was wrong.”
I’m about to open my mouth to say I don’t love Langston, and I have no doubt that he doesn’t love me, but what’s the use? It doesn’t matter why I’m saving him, just that Rowan accepts my deal.
“Do we have a deal? I’ll answer any questions you have, and you can ask Langston any questions you have of him. And after we are finished, you will let Langston go free.”
He holds out his hand to me, and I reluctantly take it, revolting from his frosty touch. “We have a deal, Miss Dunn.”
We shake, and I’m careful not to be the first to pull away. I don’t want to show any weakness, even though my lack of food and water is beginning to get to me. My head is spinning, my sight is fuzzy, and my body feels lethargic.
“What now?” I ask.
“Now, we chat. After we are finished, I’ll have a chat with Langston. And then I’ll set him free, far away from here, so he doesn’t attempt a rescue.”
“Where do you want me to start?”
“By telling me what is on your half of the letter your father gave you.”
I frown. “How do you know about the letter? And that it was split between the two of us?”
He shakes his head. “I’m the one asking the questions, Miss Dunn, not you. What did the letter say?”
I consider my options. I have to tell him some truths, but I don’t intend to tell him everything. He’ll believe what I have to say. Langston will be safe whether I tell the full truth or not.
“The letter said that there was a treasure that would change my life. It didn’t specify what the treasure was, just that it exists. The letter told me not to search for it, that it could destroy me.”
“Get to the specifics, Miss Dunn; stop stalling.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m just telling you what the letter said. The letter also said that whoever goes after it has to be married. They need to be madly in love in order to seek the treasure.” I leave out that only a Dunn is able to get the treasure. I don’t want him changing his mind and deciding to keep me alive.
He frowns, and I look down at his bare ring finger.
“I take it you’re not married?” I smirk.
“I’m not.”
“Well, you better find a wife quick if you want to go after the treasure.”
He stares at me like I could be that wife.
“You want me dead, remember? I can’t be your wife.”
He growls. “Continue.”
“The letter says you can only find the treasure where the sea takes you.”
“What does that mean?”
I shrug. “There is a reason I haven’t figured out where the treasure is; I only have half the information.”
“Why, if you care so dearly about Langston and vice versa, haven’t you both shared all the information with each other?”
Because he’s wrong about us. We don’t actually care about each other.
“For the same reason you won’t let us both live. Us both only having a piece of the puzzle has ensured our survival to this point.”
He nods and then leans back on the couch, waiting slightly more patiently for me to continue. He almost looks bored with my tale.
“There was something about meeting a man in Egypt where he’s hidden a clue. A partial password 862. And to follow the stars if you ever get lost.”
Rowan looks at me suspiciously. “Was there anything else in your half of the letter?”
“No,” I lie. Most of what I gave him was a lie, but it all rattled off my tongue with confidence. There is no way to tell if I made everything up or told the truth. That is until he speaks to Langston and none of my information fits with his.
“I’ll go speak with Langston and then be back shortly,” Rowan says, standing.
“How will you get him to speak to you?” I’m afraid he’s planning on torturing him to get him to speak.
He grins at me. “By making the same deal with him.”
“What?” I breathe.
“I’m sure he’ll spill his guts to save you. Although, I suspect he’ll be more truthful.”
He stands and heads to the door, but I can’t let him leave, not until I’m assured that he won’t hurt or kill Langston.
I jump up, suddenly full of strength, and run to him.
“You made a deal with me! You can’t hurt Langston.” I grab his arm, trying to get him to stay and talk to me.
“You lied to me, Miss Dunn.”
“I