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Somewhere.
I rolled the suitcase down the stairs as a crash in Zeke’s room caught my attention. It sounded like something had hit the wall. Not my problem. He didn’t love me.
I made it to the door when I was stopped by security. “Ma’am?” My kind, British guard spoke to me. “Are you okay?”
How much had he heard? It didn’t matter. Humiliation came in large doses for me. “I need to go to the airport. I have to get to New York City.”
He nodded. “Do you have a ticket?”
Oh right, I’d need one of those. There I was again. Stupid Layla.
He took out his phone. “I’ll get you one.”
That sounded good. I couldn’t perform basic things right now. “Can we do it outside?”
I needed out of this ugly downstairs. I never wanted to see it again. I had to step away from here. Now.
He gestured forward, and I went through the door. It was raining slightly. Zeke’s security guard stepped out. “Miss? Are you okay?”
Why were they all asking? Oh, I was gasping for breath and crying, still in my running clothes. Plus, they’d all have seen that scene on the street. I walked to the street. “Thank you for everything, I’m leaving for America.”
His face fell. “No, I hope not.”
“Yes, it seems it’s time.” I rocked back on my feet, the ants feeling coming back. Who was looking at me now? I glanced around. No one.
A car screeched to a stop in front of Zeke’s house, and we all turned to look at it at the same time. Men with machine guns ran from the car shouting in a language I didn’t know. My reflexes were slow as I tried to throw myself to the ground, but one of the armed men grabbed me by the hair, yanking hard against me as he yelled. They shouted and shot. The guard went down first, and I stumbled to keep upright. My security got a shot off before he also went down. Something slammed behind me, but I couldn’t see it as I was shoved into the car, a bag put over my head.
I cried out, but it was no use. The car was moving.
They talked to me and talked to me, but never in English. I didn’t know if they didn’t know, or they just liked torturing me with the fact that I hadn’t a clue what was going on. Maybe ignorance was better in this case.
I sat on a couch. When I needed to pee, they let me. When I needed to eat, they fed me. And laughed at me.
I didn’t think these were fans of mine who were just nuts. No, this had to do with the Allards. And my father. And all the things Zeke had been worried about. Zeke. I couldn’t let myself think about him. It was too hard.
These guys were going to want money for me, and my father was done. Did that mean I was outright screwed? Day turned to night then day again. Then night. This time, they shaved my head.
It was bizarre. One of them held me down, the other did the deed. It could have been worse. It was just hair, but still, it felt like they’d taken a lot more than that from me. Something else, something I couldn’t have named if I’d been forced to.
I dozed on the uncomfortable couch, jolting with every noise, when one I didn’t recognize took my attention. What was that sound? I didn’t know.
Then there was chaos. Gunfire. I hit the ground, covering my head. Not that it would stop a bullet. I didn’t know what to do. Who was here? What was happening?
Strong hands pulled me up, and I recognized Michael Li immediately. “M-Michael,” I managed to get out.
“That’s right, kid. I’ve got you. You’re okay. You’re safe now.” He hugged me, which was so not a Michael thing to do, but I was so grateful for it, I hugged him back.
“I…” Talking was hard. “They took me.”
He nodded, slowly. “I know. We came and got you. I’m sorry, Layla. So sorry.” He picked me up like he would carry me.Where were we going? I didn’t know. It was like all language was confusing now. Even the one I knew.
“I want to go home.” I didn’t have one, but I wanted to go anyway.
“We are.”
He carried me outside. Men in black stood everywhere, talking to each other, speaking to Michael. It was English. That much I knew.
And then I saw the lights. Flashes. Cameras. Why were there cameras here? Oh, that was right. There were cameras everywhere. Every phone was a weapon to use against me. I hid my face against Michael. I hated cameras. I never wanted to see one again. Not ever.
