Bang for the Buck by Margaret Madigan

Author:Margaret Madigan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, SEAL, same couple, rescue, kidnap, protection
Publisher: Margaret Madigan
Published: 2022-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Melinda squirmed in the chair she’d been tied to. On the way downstairs Nikolai had radioed Ivan to meet them. Once there, Ivan had zip-tied her wrists and ankles to a chair while the other guys bound Buck to the same pole he’d been cuffed to earlier. This time, though, they kept him standing and tied his arms behind him around the pole. It had to be painful the way it stretched his shoulders, but his expression remained flat.

Melinda’s stomach churned like a paddlewheel. She had to swallow hard to keep the bile down. Logically, she knew their intention was to scare her into submission by beating Buck. They knew it would be devastating for her to watch, and they guessed correctly how she felt about him and that it would hurt more because of that. She hated playing into their game, but she couldn’t help herself.

She caught Buck’s eye and he gave her a stern glare. The gaze seemed to say “Toughen up. Don’t give them what they want.” He was a SEAL. He had to be trained to withstand this kind of thing, and maybe already had, for all she knew. He seemed like such a sweet, easygoing guy on the outside—which she loved about him—but he also had an elite military core. His strong blue gaze bored into her, calming her and imparting confidence. He didn’t look afraid. He looked strong and determined. If he could be, so could she.

So she sat up straight in her chair and gave Buck a little nod, so he’d know.

He nodded back and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, they sparkled with defiance, and it took Melinda’s breath away. She found herself more attracted to him than ever. He looked like a god standing tall and resistant despite being strapped to a pole and surrounded by men determined to break him. He might suffer, but he’d win. She had no doubt, and it gave her confidence.

“Let’s get this party started,” Buck said, grinning at Nikolai to goad him on.

It worked. Buck was right when he called them cliché. If they planned for hurting Buck to get to her, they completely missed the irony of how easily they could be provoked.

Nikolai wouldn’t kill Buck. At least she hoped not. They’d made it clear she wasn’t critical to their operation, but she sensed she was important. That they’d rather have her than not. So although they wanted to scare her, they had to know if they killed Buck she wouldn’t cooperate.

“Yes, let’s,” Nikolai said. He stepped up to Buck and they stared each other down for a ridiculous testosterone-filled, intensely competitive moment. Each eyeballed the other and sized him up, communicating how determined he was to win.

Nikolai sneered and backed away, gesturing to the rest of the Russians who had filtered in as word spread. Melinda had no idea who was actually operating the ship, since it seemed like the whole crew now circled her and Buck.

“Gentlemen?” Nikolai said.

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