Read Captive's Desire for Free Online Page B

he was the one ignoring her.
    “I don’t mind at all. You can help yourself,” she said, returning to the living room and taking a seat on the hearth of the fireplace. There wasn’t a fire now and the stone felt cool beneath her bottom, but she didn’t want to sit next to him.
    “Manners, Olivia. I won’t be disrespected in my own home.”
    “Well, then I suppose I’m bound to disappoint you.”
    “Go upstairs and get dressed if you want a tour around the camp.”
    She didn’t hesitate, but carried her mug up with her, taking care not to splash herself with the hot liquid as she ascended the ladder. She took a sip and set it on the dresser as she chose clothes for the day: a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved, pale pink sweater. She put her boots back on and headed downstairs. This would be a good opportunity to learn the lay of the land for when they came back for her.
    Hayden looked her over from head to toe but didn’t comment; instead, he opened the front door and gestured for her to go ahead of him. She noticed that he didn’t lock the door behind him.
    The air was fresh and the sky bright blue. She followed him down the street where his house sat alone on the inclining road. His Jeep was parked outside, but they walked into the town which was just a few streets away. She could see between the buildings and onto the main street.
    People walked along the streets of the small village. The roads were dirt and rock, and homes in various styles and sizes lined the perimeter and branched off onto side streets. She could hear a river running; rough rapids, she would guess from the sound of it.
    “This is Main Street,” he said when they got to what she assumed was the center of the town, which was nestled between high peaks, shielding it effectively unless you knew it was here to begin with.
    “What is that bigger building?” she asked.
    “It used to be the town’s hotel. We use the rooms as homes now. About thirty families live there. This is the main kitchen where Jenna is in charge. Most of the houses have the capability to cook, but quite a few still don’t, including the hotel, so we have a communal kitchen. Most people have an assigned task, a job they’re responsible for. The school is just beyond, that larger building there,” he said, pointing.
    “How many children attend?” she asked, taking in the tall fence that lined the perimeter.
    “Three hundred, give or take. We rotate the classes; we don’t have the facilities to take them all in at once.”
    Everyone she passed looked at her without greeting. She noticed they all greeted him though, either with a smile or a handshake.
    “What’s that building?” she asked, pointing to the most elaborate building in the town. Well, at least once upon a time it must have been elaborate. It was a dark red in color where the paint hadn’t worn away.
    “Headquarters,” he answered.
    She glanced at him for a moment, but he didn’t elaborate.
    “Where’s the river I hear?”
    “This way,” he said, leading her down one of the roads toward the end of Main Street. She just glimpsed the white rapids when a voice from behind drew their attention.
    “Hayden,” a woman called. They turned and she wasn’t sure if she’d just seen him roll his eyes.
    “Mary,” he said as the woman approached. She looked Livvie over once, but otherwise ignored her altogether. She was older; early thirties, Livvie would say.
    “Can you come over later tonight and talk to Billy again? He’s driving me crazy. Maybe it’d be good if you ate dinner with us, you know, just be there. A father figure.”
    The line of Livvie’s mouth hardened, although she couldn’t understand why. Was that jealousy that asserted its claim over this man who’d essentially kidnapped her? Was holding her against her will?
    “I’ll come by and talk to him tonight, but I’m afraid dinner’s out.” He glanced at Livvie and so did Mary.
    “Oh, please. Don’t let me stand in the way,”