Hostage to Love (Entangled Suspense) Read Online Free PDF Page A

a soft laugh. “Just like a Westerner. Even in a hopeless predicament, you think you can throw about ultimatums. But I’m tempted by your offer.” His gaze dropped to her lips, his gaze darkening when it rose to capture hers. “Very tempted.”
    His face relaxed, and his lips curled into a smug smile of satisfaction. Reaching out, he traced a rough knuckle down her cheek. A bubble of terror grew deep inside her at the anticipatory gleam in his eyes.
    “You caught and held my attention from the first moment I saw you. In another time, another place, this would’ve gone down differently, but destiny has placed us here, so this is how it has to be, you understand?” he murmured softly.
    She didn’t, not really, but she nodded anyway, as she slid down the slippery slope toward hopeless despair. A sudden thought teased her brain, and she grasped it with both hands. Would her condition buy her time? What if it backfired? It would be a calculated risk, but it might just pay off. She took a deep breath.
    “Th…there’s something you should know.”
    His smile disappeared, replaced once again by a deadly stare. “What is it?”
    “It— It’s my time of the m-month.”
    Incomprehension clouded his face.
    She felt her face redden. “My period. I started my period last night,” she stated baldly.
    When she’d felt the familiar cramping just after they started their nightly trek yesterday, she’d inwardly raged at Mother Nature for compounding her predicament with yet another situation she was unprepared for. The handkerchief-sized scarf she’d worn to protect her head from the fierce sun saved her from total humiliation. Now she gladly welcomed the cramps and discomfort. It might just save her from the rebel leader’s repulsive attentions.
    Ancient Nawakan tradition prohibited men from touching women during their monthly cycle. From their conversation this afternoon, it seemed Mwana had assimilated every aspect of being a Nawakan. Dared she hope he had adopted all of its traditions as well? She mentally crossed desperate fingers, almost afraid to blink as his expression darkened.
    He captured her chin in his hands, proving that he didn’t believe in the no-touching rule at the very least. “I hope you’re not trying to play me for a fool, Belle.”
    She stopped breathing. “I-I’m not. I promise.” She deliberately softened her voice and relaxed her body.
    For an eternity he stared at her. Finally, he said, “I could ask you to prove what you’ve just told me, yet I am choosing to believe you. But understand this. Break my trust, and things will not end well for you.”
    Relief swept through her. “I understand.”
    His gaze dropped to her lips once more. Belle tugged her chin away and spoke before he could put the clear intention in his eyes to action. “What about releasing my colleagues?”
    “The ransom demand has already been set in motion with the Dutch couple’s family. I will make my decision about the priest in the morning. As for you, if you’re being truthful about your reasons for coming to Nawaka, about your respect for my country and my people, then you will be given a chance to prove it.”
    A scream rose in her throat. She quashed it. She would not break down, would not give him the satisfaction. She almost laughed at the twisted irony of her thought.
    Heart hammering, she folded her arms to hide their trembling. “I meant every word.”
    For several heartbeats he regarded her, then took another step back.
    “Good. You’ve bought yourself a few days’ respite with your colleagues.” His gaze drifted to the bed. “I’ll ask you to make good on your promises before long, so rest while you can.” With that, he turned on his heel and left the cave.
    Shaking with relief and a letdown of adrenaline, she sank to the rough ground, her breath coming in ragged heaves as silent, grateful tears filled her eyes.
    She was in the same position an hour later, staring unseeingly into the gloom,