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“Where does Professor Jefferies live, and why has he taken Eve?”
Hysterical laughter bubbled from Colette. “You’re asking me about your little girlfriend right now when my life is hanging in the balance?”
“I can’t think of a better time. Tell me, and I’ll consider getting you out.”
“You’re threatening me?”
“Clearly. Now, talk. I don’t think you have long,” I pointed out.
Colette attempted to focus. “He lives near campus…River Street, number five!” She cut off in a shriek as the entire structure of the car slid forward.
“Stop moving around if you don’t want to fall,” I commanded her harshly.
She was wriggling in the seat, and every time she leaned forward, the entire car swayed over the abyss.
“River Street, number five? What else can you tell me about him?”
“I don’t know! Get me out of here and I’ll be able to think!” she screeched at me.
The wreck was precariously still, like a stiff wind might tip the balance. I stared at Colette. Did I really want to save this monster’s life?
She didn’t deserve to be saved.
“Beck! Please!” Her wild eyes locked with mine, and she saw my mind was made up.
It was the nickname that did it.
“I wish I could help, Colette…but you see, you’re not allowed to touch me, and you won’t…ever again,” I said quietly and stepped purposefully back. “And don’t call me Beck. I’ve asked you for the last time.”
Her eyes widened; she realized I wasn’t going to get her out. She was on her own.
She lunged for the door, and the shift in movement was the tipping point. The white SUV slid forward, the side scraping against the metal railing with a scream, and then disappearedover the edge of the cliff. It was silent for a moment, with only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks far below and then a thunderous metal crunch.
Eve
I woke slowly,like emerging from a cotton-filled dream. My mouth was dry, and my eyes were scratchy. It was like every part of my body that usually had moisture had been packed with stuffing, like I was a doll.
I blinked a few times, trying to recognize my surroundings, before the previous events rushed back to me.
When I gasped, I realized there was something around my mouth, muffling the sound. My body still felt dreamlike, and floating far away from me. I couldn’t even feel my hands or legs. I looked down and could make out the rough shape of my body in the dim light. I was tied to a chair that was sitting on a dirt floor. The only light coming into the room was from high-up windows that ran in long, narrow panes along the top of the wall, above head height. I guessed it was a basement from the window style alone. I couldn’t see through the glass. It was completely dark outside, with only a tiny bit of moonlight shining through the smeared panes.
“Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?”
Jefferies’ voice cut through the rest of my inertia, and fear pumped adrenaline through my veins. He was sitting in the dark, like a maniac, watching me slowly come to.
He shook his head and smirked. “But that’s not the nickname, is it? it’s Cinderella. The billionaire and his Cinderella…You two would have made quite the PR dream. Big, strong hockey player plucks the stunning child of an immigrant off the streets and marries her. Once he made the NHL, you guys could have been America’s next sweethearts. Too bad that’s never going to happen.”
I stared at him. I had no idea what to say. I had no idea what he wanted from me. Was he going to hurt me? Kill me? Why? Because of Colette? My mind raced with questions.
Clearly Jefferies didn’t like to be ignored, because he got up and tore the tape off my mouth with a vicious pull.Ouch. Guess I didn’t need to wax my lip next month, or ever again.
I worked my burning lips while Jefferies watched with an amused grin.
“Sorry about that. I couldn’t have you screaming out if you woke up while I was bringing you in here.”
“Where am I?” I managed to get out.
“My place. Relax, and let me take care of everything. I’m a fantastic host.”
