Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66651 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
I have no clue how I’ve ended up here, in the middle of what looks like a small basement cellar. It’s nearly pitch black. The only light is streaming through three small windows high up on the ceiling of the far wall. Each window is only about the size of a cinder block, and all three are blocked by something, but a small bit of light is still shining through. Terror runs through me and seems to freeze my blood.
I open my mouth to scream, but I’m too scared. They’ll hear me.
I’ve been taken. They found me, and they took me. I know exactly who it is. The Cassanos. Fuck! I never want to go back to him, to Lorenzo. I won’t let him touch me ever again.
Tears threaten to reveal themselves. But it’s useless to cry. Some small part of me always knew it would come to this. You can’t escape your death. I didn’t really think I’d ever be able to run. I swallow the lump growing in my throat. My eyes fall to the ground. I have no idea why they would keep me alive, since I’m no use to them. I’m certain they’ll kill me soon. Or worse.
There are only two options I can think of. One, they left me alive to torture me because I went to the cops. Two, they left me alive to torture me for fun. Knowing Lorenzo, it’s number two.
I close my eyes, letting the realization settle in. My body shakes as tremors of fear run through my limbs, but I try to soothe them. I got out before. I’ll do it again. I may be a meek little mouse, as that fucker used to call me, but I fight when I have to. And right now, I have to.
My eyes slowly open and adjust to the light.
The air is cold and damp, but my throw is in a pile on the floor next to me. I quickly grab it and wrap it around me as though it can protect me. Fear cripples me as I hear the sound of a chair moving across the floor. My heart stills and a chill prickles my skin. I’m not alone.
As I search the dark, vacant room, I see him. The look of a hunter stares back at me. I don’t recognize him. His broad chest and chiselled muscles flex as he leans forward. His eyes are a brilliant light blue, and they pierce through me. His cheekbones are sharp and only appear more contoured with the shadows from the dim light. If he had any other expression on his face, I’d think he was the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met.
As if reading my mind, he smirks at me. The fucking bastard thinks this is funny. My heart tries to climb up my throat as he sits back in his seat and his hand settles on the raging erection in his jeans.
Fuck!
My eyes dart back up to his. That shit’s not happening. I’ll claw his fucking eyes out. I look for a door and then back to him. I don’t see one, but I don’t care if I kill him and I’m locked in here and starve to death. I won’t let that happen.
We stare at each other in silence. I want to ask him what he wants from me, but I already know. I want to plead for him to let me leave, but I’ve learned that doesn’t work. Instead, I wait for his move. He cocks his head after a moment and slowly stands.
As he moves toward me, I resist the urge to scoot away. I can’t do that. I can’t back myself into a corner.
He crouches in front of me and leans in closer. His eyes hold a hint of danger, but also a spark of desire. I’m just not sure what he wants to do with me exactly, besides the obvious. “I’m supposed to kill you,” he says. His deep baritone voice is low and threatening. He tilts his head as I slide slightly backward on my ass out of natural instinct. I take control of my body and tilt my chest away from him, giving myself leverage to kick this motherfucker in the balls if he gets any closer.
His full lips pull into an asymmetric grin. “You can’t get away from me just yet.” I hate how he’s taunting me, like he expected this.
My breathing is ragged, and my heart is beating so fast I swear my chest won’t be able to contain it. It feels as though my heart's trying to leap out of my throat. I barely get the words out, but I manage to say, “I don’t want to die.”
His grin widens into a perfect smile. This man’s too handsome to be a predator. There’s a darkness about him, but he could fool anyone with just a small amount of charm.