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a scratched dresser. Rebecca shuddered, wondering how the hotel had passed inspection.
    Gideon’s voice brought her back. “We need to talk.”
    “All right.”
    “Look, we’re done pretending you’re an innocent victim. So let’s just clear that up.”
    She wanted to tell him she was a victim to this nightmare. Knowing he would never believe her, she lifted her chin.
    “They want a painting,” he prodded, leaving her with an opening.
    “They want the painting my father gave me. I won’t let them have it.”
    His eyes narrowed fractionally. “That doesn’t tell me anything, Rebecca.”
    “That’s all you need to know.” She didn’t want to drag him into this mess. She felt guilty enough for his involvement thus far.
    “Now, there’s where we disagree.” He sighed theatrically and shifted on the bed. The movement brought his knee within inches of hers. Rebecca’s eyes lowered to his powerful chest as it strained against his shirt. “You see,” he continued, “I seem to have a pretty big stake in this now. And at the moment, I hold all the keys.”
    Warily, she asked, “What do you mean?”
    “They’ve got my boat.” He let that sink in. “And they want you for an exchange.”
    Even with all the blood draining from her face, she squared her shoulders. “Then why didn’t you just knock me over the head while I was sleeping and make the trade?”
    “Maybe it was all those redeeming qualities you were shouting at me on the way up the stairs.” His brow lifted when she flushed and stared down at her hands. “Or maybe I like to have the whole story before I act.”
    “I can’t give you details.”
    “Yes, Rebecca, you can. You can and you will.”
    She shivered at the steel in his tone. “What are they going to do to your boat if you don’t make the exchange?”
    “Destroy her.”
    Her heart broke a little. She knew sailors cherished their boats. It was even there in his speech, the way he called it her . She took a deep breath and let it out. “I can buy you a new boat, Mr. Avery. In fact, I’ll buy you a bigger boat if that’s what you want.”
    His jaw clenched and he stood abruptly. “Save it. And stop running around the subject and give me the story.”
    She wanted to tell him, and that shocked her. She had never trusted anyone and couldn’t see why she wanted to trust a stranger. It may have been because he was just so capable. He’d already saved her twice with quick thinking and unrelenting courage. Maybe if she gave him just enough, he would decide against handing her over and just let her go.
    “The truth is, I don’t know who they are or why they even want the painting. But my father brought it to me and asked me to hold on to it for him. And that’s what I’m doing.”
    Gideon took a moment to digest her words, then shook his head. “So instead of handing over the damned painting, you’re getting shot at, knocked around, and chased all over Ohio?”
    “I also had my head slammed into a car before getting shoved into a trunk. What’s your point?”
    A muscle worked in his already taut jaw. “You’re either lying, which is my first guess, or stupid, which wouldn’t surprise me.”
    She huffed. “Well, I’m neither, so you can guess again.”
    “Why, Rebecca? Why are you risking your life for a painting?”
    He would never understand. Besides, she’d never explained herself to anyone in her life and she wasn’t about to start now. She met his stare without flinching. “Because I made a promise.”
    “A promise worth your life?”
    She felt the same old pain envelop her again; the emptiness and longing. “It doesn’t matter. I’m keeping my word.”
    He was quiet again for a few minutes before saying, “I’m going to help you. Damned if I know why, but I am. I want to know more about your father and why he thought you’d be the best place to stash the painting. But before you tell me the rest, I need to go pay for the rest of the night.”
    Confusion robbed