Page 84 of Her Unflinching Warrior (Omega Sky)
He looked up at Gideon. “But you’re not. Not like you were. The army made you strong.”
Gideon didn’t correct him. He’d been trying to undo the heavy-duty zip-ties that bound his wrists and ankles. He’d woken up on the floor with Jada’s first cries.
“Oh, aren’t you going to tell me your allegiance belongs to the Navy, Gideon Henry Smith?”
Miles seemed pretty proud that he knew his middle name. It was as if the man really wanted to get under Gideon’s skin.
“Henry, that was your father’s name, right?”
Gideon’s skin began to crawl.
He stared hard at the man.
“Aren’t you going to hurt him too?” The woman who had been leaning next to Miles against the SUV marched her way over to the old man and slid her arms around his shoulders. “You promised you’d let me play, Miles. She’s almost dead, so she’s no fun. When can I start in on him? I brought my knives.”
Gideon could care less about the blonde; she meant nothing, and her threats were meaningless. On the other hand, there was something about the man’s eyes.
“Are you catching on? I should hope so.” Miles whispered. “You were such a wunderkind. You were supposed to blaze new trails. But now it seems you’re nothing. Just a grunt answering to Uncle Sam, led around by his dick. You’re pathetic.”
He turned his attention to the woman. “Jenny, you’re going to get to play, but this time you’re going to have to be patient. If you’re not, I’ll let Timmy play with your knives on you. Do you understand?”
God, the blonde almost licked her lips. She was a psycho, just like Jada had said. But to Gideon, she was a subplot. He turned his attention back to the man who was watching him like he was a bug under a magnifying glass.
What was his damage?
“Still nothing?” Miles taunted Gideon.
He scraped Jenny off him and walked closer to Gideon until he was standing over him. His face looked odd. The skin around his jaw was too tight, the same around his eyes.
His eyes.
I remember those eyes!
“Are you catching on now?” Miles grinned. “How about if I offer my condolences for your dad’s passing? Such a shame that he died hating you.”
“Douglas,” Gideon hissed as he twisted his wrists, working at getting his bindings loose, using his blood as a lubricant.
“Oh, don’t stand on ceremony. You can call me by my first name, after all, we’ve known each other over twenty-five years, Gideon. Call me Kendall.” The man cackled.
“What is this?” Gideon cringed that he’d asked the question. He needed to keep silent, he couldn’t afford to play into this madman’s game. He needed to work on getting free.
“I am so glad you asked. Do you know I always saw you as my greatest protégé?” Gideon said nothing, and Kendall Douglas shrugged. “Well, I did. I taught you. I groomed you. Then you betrayed me.”
Gideon turned his head away from him. He couldn’t roll over, then Kendall would see he was trying to break free.
“Wake her up!” Kendall yelled.
Gideon heard movement, then there was a large splash, and Jada moaned.
“Jenny, feel free to start having some fun with our dear girl. Somebody needs to be getting some satisfaction, and since Gideon isn’t conversing with me, then let’s make Jada sing.”
Panic flared. “What do you want me to say? Call off your sicko bitch, and I’ll talk.” Gideon turned his head back immediately, catching Kendall’s glance.
“I want you to admit you manufactured evidence against me.”
“Call off Jenny.”
“Fine. Jenny, hold off for a minute. Gideon and I are going to talk about old times.”
