Conquering His Captive by Ivy Barrett

Author:Ivy Barrett [Barrett, Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

So tell me, Dr. Myer. What are you cooking in your lab? Fane’s question echoed through Cassie’s mind as she scrambled for an answer. How much did he already know about her current project? Was he testing her truthfulness? She gave herself a mental shake. Why the hell should she care if he caught her in a lie? She was his prisoner!

“What’s the nature of your most recent project?” he prompted when she didn’t immediately respond.

“I work on a lot of projects. Which one do you mean?” She tugged against his hold on her wrist, but he refused to let go. Her index finger tingled and she glanced at the transfer tube. She really needed to rest the system before someone ended up dead. She hadn’t anticipated this complication when she’d written the program.

He scooted forward and trapped her knees between his. “The security protocols surrounding your current project are far more sophisticated than anything you’ve utilized before. What are you hiding?”

“How do you know what my security protocols are unless you’ve tried to bypass them?” She stopped resisting, though her posture remained stiff and defiant.

“It’s my job to protect my people. If that means snooping through secured files from time to time, I can live with that.” Sincerity and commitment combined in a startling spike of emotion.

She meticulously suppressed her reaction to the mental jab, unwilling to reveal how clearly she was sensing his feelings. Nothing was more important to him than the people depending on him. She understood his dedication, even envied those he willingly protected. But she was not one of his people. She was a means to an end.

“And I see no reason to volunteer anything.” Her voice sounded oddly breathless, so she made her tone more forceful as she said, “I’m only cooperating to earn my freedom.”

Pinching off his emotions again, Fane looked into her eyes. “Then we’ll consider your explanation task number two.”

“Do you want this explanation or would you rather I determine the compatibility of human and Stilox DNA? If I do both, you’re out of tasks.”

Mal Ton chuckled, obviously following their exchange. “Sounds like you need to renegotiate.”

Fane shot him a sidelong glare. You’re not helping.

She’s your prisoner. Why bother with this elaborate barter system? You should be all the motivation she needs.

Cassie struggled with her expression. Mal Ton’s arrogance shouldn’t have surprised her, but the urge to slap him made her palm itch.

Technically she’s my wife, not my prisoner. Fane’s thumb brushed across the pulse point in her wrist, back and forth in a feather-light caress. She watched him closely. Did he have any idea she could hear his thoughts?

Why did you agree to the social alliance? Mal Ton continued. Is it really easier on your conscience to manipulate your wife than seduce your prisoner?

I don’t intend to manipulate her.

Call it what you like. She has information we need and it’s your job to access it.

With a frustrated sigh, Fane released her hand and leaned back in his chair.

“It’s rude to talk behind someone’s back.

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