I don’t realize Cade has returned until I hear the driver’s side door opening. I’m on my front, looking under his seat at the time, which is where he finds me. He has a brown paper bag in his hand and a bemused expression on his face. “This isn’t our first time at the rodeo, kid,” he tells me. “Where are you planning on going, anyway? We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

I push myself upright, slumping back into my seat. “I don’t suppose it’d matter where I go, asshole. All I’d need to do is find a payphone. I’d call the police and have them come arrest all of you, starting with that psycho Raphael and his weird boss.”

Cade nods, passing me the brown paper bag. He gets in, starting the engine. “Raphael is definitely a psycho. Hector, too, when you get to know him.”

The smell of melted cheese hits me, and I realize what I’m holding. Food. Actual, real food. I haven’t eaten anything since back at Hector’s ranch. I glance over at Cade, trying to suss him out.

“Is…this for me?”

“Before you start complaining, they didn’t have any salads. If you don’t want it, I’ll gladly take it off your hands.”

I close my hands around the paper bag, holding onto it tightly. “I do want it.” It’s annoying that he thinks just because I’m a woman, I’m allergic to carbs and a little grease. I manage to hold my tongue, though. If he wants to pretend like he knows who I am, based on the fact that I have tits and a vagina, then let him. That’s his loss. Cade pulls out onto the highway, and I tear into the paper bag, finding a simple grilled cheese and a chocolate muffin inside. Neither of us speaks. He drives. I eat.

I’ve never enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich as much in my entire life. The heaviness of it sits in the pit of my stomach, solid and weighty, which is reassuring. If I have to go without food again for a little while, I’ll manage. I don’t know when but I’ve decided that I’m going to make a break for it as soon as I can. At some point on our journey from here to our destination, we’ll have to stop, and he will take his eyes off me, even if it’s for a second. A second is all I’m going to need. I’ll be away before he even realizes what’s happened. Better start making plans.

“Where’s the clubhouse, Cade?” I emphasize his name, testing it out. I don’t know anyone called Cade—I don’t think I’ve ever had to say it before. He huffs out a laugh, changing gear.

“New Mexico. Should take us about thirteen hours to get there if you don’t talk the whole way.”

New Mexico? My body sinks back into the seat, heavy as a lead weight. That’s way further than I anticipated. I thought maybe we’d be traveling for a couple of hours and then we’d arrive, but no. We’re headed across three states. That’s a good thing and a bad thing. If we were only going to be trapped inside this monstrosity for a little while, that’s less opportunity for me to run. But now, the further Cade drives me away from Washington is further that I have to make it back home without them coming after and finding me.

You don’t need to make it home, I remind myself. It’s like I just told Cade. I’d only need to make it to a police station. Or anywhere I could report what’s happened. Then I’d be safe. A surge of adrenalin fires through my veins, electricity around a circuit board, powering me up. I need to be ready, and for that I need energy. I start on the chocolate muffin but then give up halfway through, the food making me feel queasy.

“You mind if I put the radio on?” Cade asks.

I frown, looking at him properly for the first time since we got in the car. “You’re asking me? I’m your captive. I’m pretty sure you can do whatever the hell you like and I wouldn’t have a say in it.” It’s strange that he would even give me the option.

Cade grunts, dark eyes on the road. “You’re not a captive. That’s not what this is.”

“If I’m not a captive, then let me go.” I already know he won’t, though. If they were going to help me or do me any favors, they would have done so as soon as we cleared Julio’s den out in the desert.

“I already told you. Rebel needs you for something. Once that’s done, you can go.”

“Bullshit. You’re holding me against my will. You may not like the sound of it but that makes me a captive. And it makes you my kidnapper. If you expect me to do something for Rebel, then you’re dreaming. I’m not performing sexual acts for anyone. Not willingly. If you make me, then you guys won’t just be my kidnappers. You’ll be my rapists, too.”

Cade’s head turns so he’s looking at me, mouth slightly open. There’s a look of disbelief on his face. “Man, no wonder Hector got rid of you. You’ve got a tongue on you, you know that?”

I just shrug my shoulders. No way would I have spoken to Hector or even Raphael like that. I would have been too scared. Being in the car with Cade is different, though. “Why did you help me back in that alleyway? Why did you even bother if this is what you wanted to do afterwards?”

“This isn’t anywhere near as bad as you think it is. I helped you because we don’t like women being abused. The club has morals. And believe it or not, so does Rebel.”

“I doubt that.”

“Doubt it all you want. You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

“Who is he, Rebel? Who is he to you? The way you say his name’s like he’s freaking god or something.”