I turn off the light. The zombie night-light casts an eerie glow over the spacious room, and I slip out, shutting the door behind me. I head down the hall, trying to find the answers to my life’s problems on the marble floor beneath my feet.
I don’t even know if Soren wants a chance with me. I need to ask him and let the cards fall where they may, for better or worse. If he doesn’t want me, I’ll get over him this time. I will.
I turn down the hall for the theater, but the light in the office catches my attention. Wasn’t that room dark when I went upstairs?
Is Soren in there searching for the painting again? He has to know by now it isn’t hidden there.
But that’s what matters most to him—the reason he’s still here. Not because he cares for me.
The irritation in my veins is enough to make my steps speed up. We are going to have this talk and—
The lights go out. The cavernous living space falls eerily silent.
“Soren?” I say.
Nothing. No response. No sound of any kind.
“Soren?” My voice is a mere squeak.
Something is wrong. My heart leaps to my throat, and I scramble for my phone, but a hand clamps over my mouth.
Chapter 25
Maya
Anotherarmsnakesaroundmy waist, lifting me off the ground. The arm presses into my lungs, making it hard to breathe.
My feet don’t reach the ground as I kick against my captor. The man grunts, but his hold doesn’t loosen. I struggle against his hold, trying to free my arms, but he’s gigantic, and I feel like a paper doll completely at his mercy. I try to scream, but no sound comes out. My heart pounds so violently it’s all I can hear, all I can feel. Each beat signals the end drawing near.
The massive hand over my mouth covers my nose as well, and I struggle to draw in air through the small gaps.
He’s going to kill me.
I have so many regrets. And now… no more time to fix them. I should have given Bella a hug and told her she was amazing. I should have kissed Soren when I had the chance.
Stars bounce around the edges of my vision, but when I try to capture one, it disappears only to reappear somewhere else in the waning light.
My senses fade, blurring into numbness.
Only one thought remains when all else is gone: I need to warn Soren. He can get Bella to safety.
I feel removed from my body as I’m dragged through the penthouse. My limbs are limp and heavy, and I force the rest of my energy into kicking. My foot connects with something hard. Pain shoots through my toe, but it’s nothing compared to the fear. What if this man goes for Bella next? What if Soren doesn’t come looking for me? What if he’s searching for the painting right now, unaware of the danger? What if he leaves?
Something falls and crashes, but it’s the last sound my brain registers.
Chapter 26
Soren
Ifreezeinthehallway between the bedroom suites. I woke up a few minutes ago to an empty theater. I figured Maya would be in bed and decided to have a look around upstairs, but the distant crash has my hackles raising.
I wait a moment, trying to determine where the noise is coming from. There’s a scuffle, like something is being moved.
Downstairs.
I take the steps two at a time, but silently. Who’s here?
The bottom floor is quiet when I reach it, but there’s a wariness in the quiet. Like the house knows what’s happened and is waiting for me to figure it out. I pull up the security feed but it’s gone completely black. I’ve been kicked out.
