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I step out of the room, gingerly shutting it behind me. Leaning over the railing, I glance around downstairs to be sure I really am alone. I have no idea whose room is which, and any of the men could be behind any of these closed doors, so I do my best to keep silent as I make my way to the stairs.
I take each step at a snail’s pace to keep my sandals from making a sound on the metal stairs. Finally, I get to the bottom, and freeze.
If someone can see me, they’ll be coming out now.
I wait.
Take a slow breath.
Wait another beat. Nothing.
Good. I survey the giant room. The kitchen takes up a small portion, then there’s the dining area, and a living room area. All surprisingly clean for a group of seven men. There has to be a computer around here somewhere. A tablet, or something that links to the outside world.
Counting the kitchen out, I work my way around the living room. I check every desk drawer and every bookshelf, turning up nothing.
“Where are you doing, kitten?” An unfamiliar voice sends a shockwave through me. I spin around, expecting to find one of the men standing there only to find myself still alone.
“What are you looking for?” the voice asks again.
I belatedly remember that they own a security company. They probably have cameras all over the place, so I change my objective to finding them.
“You won’t find them, kitten.” The voice chuckles.
Where the hell is it coming from?
“Where are you?” I ask the room at large.
“In my office. Now, last chance: What are you looking for?”
“My phone.” It’s not a complete lie. Any phone would do.
“Why?”
I put my hands on my hips. “Why don’t you just come out here and talk to me instead of like this? It’s weird.”
“Why do you want a phone?” he repeats.
“Internet. I want the internet.” There.
“Hmm.” He sounds like he’s mulling it over. “Sorry, kitten,” he says with no remorse in his tone. Alexander steps into the living room, and I realize he’s the one I’ve been talking to. “No internet for you, yet.”
“Why not? If I’m not a prisoner here, why not?” I glance at the front door, just in case. I’m aware I have nowhere to go that’s safe, but I’m still not entirely sure this place is safe either.
“One toe outside, and you won’t like what happens.” His voice darkens with the threat.
I’ve been told what to do every second since Vivian crashed into my life. Boarding school was an endless routine of rules and regulation. I’m tired of it. So exhausted from having to live up to expectations someone else puts on me.
And now, this man I don’t even know is doing the same thing.
His lips kick up to the side. “Wanna play a game?”
“What kind of game?” The darkness in his eyes piques my curiosity.
“You run and I catch you.” He grins. There’s a sinister playfulness to his tone. His eyebrows raise as the silence stretches between us.
My heart slams into my ribs. “Then what?”
He shrugs. “Whatever I want. Winner gets the spoils.” His voice dips a little, but the mischievous twinkle remains steady in his gaze.
