His Stolen Princess - MINK Page 0,4

are lurking around. I've made it my business not to know much about Cato, but I do know that when he gives orders, people follow them.

“I just—” My voice trembles. His grip loosens more as he pulls some of his weight off me. I sniffle “I miss him.” I begin sobbing and try to sit up.

He lets me as I sob into my hands. It’s not hard to cry. I’ve been doing it for days. All the emotions are right there simmering under the surface. I’ve been holding them back. Waiting for a chance to mourn in my own time. Now is not that time, but Cato doesn’t need to know that. That’s part of my plan.

He touches my shoulder. Is he trying to soothe me? I make a hiccup sound. I’m good at this. “Can I have a tissue?” I pull my hands a little away from my face so I can see him.

“Right here.” He leans over to grab one off the nightstand. I shove him as hard as I can, and when my feet hit the ground, I run. I hear him curse behind me, but I don’t stop as I burst from the room.

I have no idea where the hell I am. I just keep running down the long hallway. I don’t dare look behind me. I don’t have to. I can hear him. He’s a big man and definitely not light on his feet. There’s no denying that he’s coming for me.

My lungs already burn when I turn to see stairs that go down. Down is out. It has to be. I almost trip but get my bearings. Cato curses again from behind me. I see two large doors, but two equally large men stand next to them. I turn. I think they are going to make a grab for me, but they don’t move.

I run toward the sunlight, which leads into the kitchen. I grab the door handle and pull it open. Bright light assaults my eyes while fresh air fills my lungs.

“You’re going to hurt yourself.”

I hear him growl. I look over my shoulder to see him standing in the kitchen staring at me. He’s not even out of breath. Asshole.

“Better than being raped,” I throw back at him before I take off through the door to the outside.

This time I can see. Not that it really helps. All I see is endless rolling green. I should stop. It’s pointless really, but it feels good to feel physical pain instead of all the emotional things I’ve been feeling over the last few days. My legs burn, my breathing is labored, but somehow it’s cathartic. I move, knowing I’ll be caught, but that doesn’t matter right now.

I round a set of bushes and come to a halt. A little boy lifts his head and smiles. The same blue eyes my brother had stare up at me. I stand stunned for a few moments before the little boy holds one of the flowers from the bush up to me. I glance over to see Cato standing there watching me but still giving me space.

“Hi.” I drop to my knee and try to bottle up the surprise and anxiety under a calm façade. “What are you doing out here?”

He hands me the flower. He can’t be more than four. The cutest freckles sprinkle his nose. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I tuck it behind my ear. “Will you tell me your name?” He leans in real close. I turn my ear towards him.

“Carter.”

I fall back onto my ass, the façade already gone as my world spins. Carter. It can’t be. I stare. Those eyes. It’s him. A child, my brother had a child. I never knew. He never said a word. Why wouldn’t he tell me?

The little boy keeps staring at me. “She’s pretty.” He looks up at Cato, who’s moved behind me.

“She is,” he agrees.

“Is this some cruel game you’re playing with me?” I try to keep the anger and hurt out of my tone, not wanting to scare the little boy. He’s not a part of whatever game Cato is playing with me.

“Not a game.”

I start to stand. Cato goes to help me, but I smack his hand away.

He sighs. “If you would only listen to me.”

I, of course, ignore him. I offer my hand to the little boy. Cato looks like he wants to say something else, but he doesn't.

“Are you hungry? I could use a snack.”

He takes my hand but frowns. “Flavia said