Chapter 17

Allie shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. She wondered desperately where her mother was and what she was doing. A wave of longing assailed her. Just as Allie knew her mom was tucked away somewhere, she knew without a doubt that she was safe. Jay would ensure it. He would never let anything bad happen to Allie or Veronica. Or at least he would do everything in his power to ensure nothing ever happened to either of them.

The mother made it easier than the daughter. Though both women tended toward kind-heartedness, Veronica was more willing to go with the flow and accept a situation as it was. As evidenced by her marriage to a wonderful, kind man that was not only approved by Jay, but Allie suspected carefully vetted and selected by him as well. Allie was much more of a trial to Jay's protective tendencies. She tended to question the world around her and rebel against authority.

She shivered and stiffened as Jay came up behind her, moving quietly. He didn't touch her. Perhaps he could sense her volatile mood.

"Can I see my mother?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

She knew the answer, which is why she hadn't bothered to ask during her weeks of captivity. Asking the question now was almost a challenge. She wanted him to know she wasn't ready to accept things the way they were. That she would continue to fight him and his edicts even if she knew his iron will would win in the end.

"No." His voice held finality.

Allie closed her eyes for a second, then opened them to stare out once more at the gorgeous forested scene before her, sloping down to the cove below where she could barely see a dock and sailboat. Suddenly, the lovely shaded trees felt claustrophobic. Just another beautiful prison, like the vineyard. Allie crossed her arms protectively in front of her and eyed the long shadows the trees cast on the sunny tiles surrounding the pool. In that moment she preferred the wide open, sun-scorched prairies Jay had taken her from.

"When can I see her?" she asked.

He seemed to think the question over carefully. Allie knew what must be going through his mind. Mother and daughter loved each other very much and any lengthy separation would harm them, which was unacceptable to him. He cared about both women too much to want to damage their relationship. Yet he also couldn't allow them to be together while Allie was still fighting him.

He sighed heavily and rubbed a hand over his hair. "I don't know the answer to that, Allie."

"Can I at least talk to her?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea," he replied, his voice growing firmer.

"Why?" she demanded, finally turning to look at him. He was standing so close the tips of her breasts brushed against him. She took a step back and stumbled a little against a lamp. He caught her arm and steadied her. She tried to pull her arm away, but he retained his hold.

His grey eyes held hers as he spoke. "You haven't settled yet, Allie. I care about Veronica almost as much as you. I wouldn't want to see her hurt by this situation."

Allie gasped angrily and tugged harder on her arm. "You think I would do that to my own mother?"

He refused to release her. "I think you would do almost anything for your freedom right now, love. I think you could hurt Veronica without meaning to."

"I really think I hate you right now," she hissed, glaring at him.

He pulled her steadily toward the heat of his body and took hold of her other arm. He spoke against her lips. "While you might hate the situation, we both know you don't hate me, Allie. I'm happy to prove it to you."

He lowered his mouth to hers, forcing her to stand pliant in his hold with her head tilted back. Tension ignited in a flare of heat as her lips parted involuntarily and his breath caressed her. She brought her hands up to his chest in an attempt to put some distance between them. A sharp knock on the door startled Allie and drew an impatient growl of acknowledgement from Jay. Setting her gently aside, Jay strode swiftly to the door and greeted their visitor.

Knees weak, Allie sat on the edge of the bed and tried to ignore the low-voiced conversation. She caught enough to understand that there was trouble at a dockyard with one of Jay's less legitimate contacts, someone named Li Wei. Her shoulders stiffened when he came back to the bed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. When she refused to look at him, he tugged her head up and forced her to meet his eyes.

"I have to meet with someone. You won't be leaving the property today, so please don't try," he said quietly, holding her head still for a moment and letting his steely gaze drift over her features.

Allie didn't say anything. What was the point? Jay knew her opinion. He pressed his lips together and his fingers tightened in her hair until the strands tugged against her scalp almost painfully. She pushed her head back against his fist to relieve the pressure and glared up at him.

He ran his thumb lightly over her lips. "Those dark eyes of yours are eloquent when you refuse to speak actual words. Curse me all you want, the end result is going to be the same."

He leaned down to press a hard kiss against her lips where his thumb had been, then turned to leave the room. Her eyes lingered as he moved, the muscles of his shoulders stretched beneath the expensive wine coloured dress shirt. He wore a thick leather belt around his lean hips and black dress pants on his long masculine legs. His ass flexed and shifted against the fine material as he reached for his suit jacket that had been tossed carelessly across a leather chair by the door.

Allie dropped her eyes quickly before he could catch her staring then jumped up quickly as he made to leave. "Where did you send her?" she blurted.

Jay turned back to her with an eyebrow raised. He knew what she meant. Allie was afraid he would leave without answering, but he said, "Greg had Robert take her down to my place in Arizona at the same time we flew out to pick you up."

Allison nodded slowly. "She loves it down there. At least I know she'll be happy shopping and hiking."

"Indeed. Anything else?"

"Does... does she know I'm here with you?" Allie asked hesitantly.

"Yes."

Jay waited patiently. Of course they both knew what she was going to ask next.

"Does she approve… of us?"

Jay's eyes hardened to liquid steel. He watched Allie for a moment without saying anything then turned away and closed the door softly. She sank back onto the bed and dropped her head into her hands. She felt emotionally drained. She understood his response to her question. It didn't matter if Veronica approved or not. Jay may love and respect Allie's mother, but her opinion wouldn't sway his decision. Allie was here to stay. And until she settled down and accepted her captivity with some level of serenity, Jay wasn't going to allow mother and daughter to reunite.

Allie lay back on the bed moodily and smashed her fist into one of the pillows with a thump. She rolled angrily onto her side and curled into a ball, glaring at the far wall of the bedroom, which opened into an ensuite. So it was going to be blackmail. If she didn't settle down and accept the life Jay was forcing on her she wouldn't get to see her mom. Jay never said things unless he meant them. Which meant he was willing to wait Allie out, to wear her down, no matter how long it took. Even if it meant hurting Veronica and Allie in the process. Because he was a ruthless bastard. He knew, without a doubt, that eventually she would give in.

Just not yet. She wasn't ready to give up on everything she had worked so hard on. Walking away from her marriage was easy. But turning her back on the people that trusted her to get them through their addictions was impossible. She would find a way back to them. Somehow.

Allie glared down at the bracelet that ensured that, even if she managed to run from Jay, he would find her. The beautiful intertwined gold and silver loops glinted in the light of the sun shining through the window. With a sigh Allie shoved her wrist up under a pillow, hiding the offensive object of her captivity from view. Questions whirled relentlessly around her head as she slowly drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the warm embrace of the sun.