Taken and Tamed Read Online Free PDF

bored into hers, frigid as a glacier now.
    “We’re going to go downstairs, get in your car, and drive away. You’re the one in control, Cass, the one who decides how this will go down. If you yell for help, I’ll shoot the first person who comes to your aid. His or her death will be on your head. Try to run and you’ll be the one who ends up dead. Cooperate, and I’ll set you free as soon as I can.”
    A cold smile played on his face. “You like to make deals. Do we have a deal, Cass?”
    She nodded, not trusting her voice.
    “Good.” He took her by the elbow, holding her as close as an ardent lover.
    An hour later, they were heading north on I-575, Zander at the wheel of her Ford Escape. Cass sat buckled into the passenger seat next to him, hands still bound, with the leather bag on her lap. She hadn’t said a word since she pointed out her car in the parking garage. Zander made sure to switch license plates with another car before pulling out of the lot. She knew it wouldn’t hide them forever. But it might be enough to get them out of Atlanta without being stopped. He’d been thorough, taking the battery out of her phone and tossing it out the window so they couldn’t be tracked that way either.
    They headed toward the north Georgia Mountains, turning off the interstate onto a four-lane road lined with the usual array of gas stations and fast-food outlets. Cass watched him out of the corner of her eye. He leaned forward, casually scrolling through the radio stations before settling on one that advertised itself as a blend of classic and current favorites. He had the gift of seeming at ease, no matter what situation he found himself in. She wanted to scream when he began humming along with an old Stones hit, as though they were headed on a relaxing weekend road trip.
    He glanced over at her, as though reading her mind again. “‘Sympathy for the Devil.’ For some reason, I’ve always identified with that one.”
    “I can’t imagine why,” she replied, sarcasm dripping from her words.
    “Come on. We were getting along so well.” He lowered his voice an octave, turned it into an intimate caress. “I thought we had something special growing between us back there. I felt it. I know you felt it too.”
    She shook her head. “Sorry. Can’t hear you. My bullshit meter is clanging again.”
    His laugh sounded genuine. “Got me. But you were laying it on pretty thick yourself. That whole line about it being like a first date. The tight shirt under your blazer proclaiming ‘I might look like a lady on the outside but deep down I’m really a slut.’ I bet the whole package works like a charm to coax all kinds of secrets out of your average horny psychopath.” He gave her a leer. “Except for the ‘daddy’s naughty girl’ remark. That had the ring of truth.”
    Cass struggled to stay calm. He was playing her again, tossing out comments to see which one got a reaction.
    “I do a lot of research, Mr. Coleman. I’ve learned how to appeal to ‘your average horny psychopath.’ But you’re not like them. That’s clear.” She lowered her voice too, forced a note of warmth into it, trying to establish herself as an ally, not a victim. “I’d like to know you better.”
    His response sent a shiver down her back. “You’re right. I’m not like the others you’ve interviewed. I’m an ‘above average’ horny psychopath. And since I’m stuck with you for the time being, I’m planning to find out just how naughty daddy’s little girl can be.”
    Inside her, fear warred with arousal at that remark. What perverted sexual behaviors would this particular psychopath consider naughty? With a pang of dismay, Cass realized a part of her longed to find out. Could she really stay one step ahead of him and save herself from being included in the long list of people who disappeared after tangling with Zander Coleman?
    He glanced over at her again before turning north off the well-traveled road onto a winding