Page 32 of Promising Her Forever

I open my mouth to complain again, but shut it fast when I see the look on my da’s face. This is bullshite. If it was my mam? He’d be running in there no matter what anyone says. I look around at everyone. The police and some of the fire guys are holding onlookers away and the other firefighters are going inside to put the fire out. From where I’m standing, it looks like it’s in the coffee shop. But the apartment above doesn’t have any smoke coming out. That has to be where he’s keeping them. I know that we fixed the fire escape window. But maybe if I can get to it…

Riley

This morning was going smoothly, we were really busy and Oliver was on high alert. He said that things felt off and that he didn’t like it. I knew Fionn would be coming back for lunch so I was getting our food order in with the mamas and then getting the shop stocked for Daphne. Fionn had suggested we could eat in my office so we could have a little time alone.

“I’m going to go upstairs and use the bathroom. If we get a rush, text me.” She smiles.

I laugh and nod. We heard a noise like something heavy dropping and it sounded like it came from upstairs.

“Did Daphne fall off the toilet?” Oliver chuckles.

“Maybe. I mean she has been known to dance while she’s in there.”

After a few more minutes, Daphne still hasn’t come back down so I text her to make sure she’s okay.

Riley: Are you okay? We heard a weird noise

Daphne: Can you come up? Need help

Riley: Oliver wants to know if you fell off the toilet. Lol. Also, can I send Oliver?

It’s weird that she’s asking me to come up. She knows that I can’t leave the shop area. I call Oliver over and show him the text. And tell him what I’m thinking.

“Yeah, she knows that one of you has to be down here. Let me call one of the mamas’ bodyguards. I think we need help.”

Just as I’m about to agree, someone comes out of the back and injects Oliver with something. He tries to tell me to run. Before I can hop over my counter, I’m grabbed and something’s put over my nose and mouth. Everything goes hazy.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Riley

When I wake up, I can see that I’m in the bedroom of the apartment, tied to the bed. I can smell smoke and I’m trying not to panic. I close my eyes and try to take a few deep breaths. But doing that makes the smoke smell stronger and I start coughing.

“Oh look, the princess is finally awake.” I hear someone say. I open my eyes and see Playboy walking in.

“Too bad you didn’t just listen to me. Now your friends are dead and you’ll be coming with me anyway.”

I feel a tear run down my face. Could he really have killed Daphne? Please no. I’ll do anything he says to save her. I continue to stare at him. I don’t want to piss him off more, but I need to know if Daphne and Oliver are okay.

“Fuck you. If they’re dead, why should I cooperate with you at all? You really think killing my best friend will make me want you? I hate you.”

“You’re a dumb bitch. Your friend tried to fight too. She lost. And if you’d rather die, I can make that happen too. The fire will cover up everything.”

“If you think you can scare me? Fuck you. You’ll never win.”

We hear sirens getting closer. I can see smoke filling the living room area and I can see a foot. I know it’s Daphne’s because I know what shoes she was wearing. I’m trying not to panic. Just because I can see her foot doesn’t mean she’s dead. I refuse to believe she’s dead. One of the guys I remember seeing when I met Playboy walks in.

“We need to get out before the whole place goes up.” He says to him.

“Grab the rope so we can tie this bitch up.” Playboy says to him.

The guy nods and leaves. I keep trying to look at Daphne and see if she’s moving at all and so far she hasn’t.

“You don’t really think that you’re going to get away with kidnapping me, do you?”

“You think that fucking cop is going to save you? Think again. He’s standing outside watching the building burn.” Playboy laughs.

I know my Fionn. He would never leave me and he sure as fuck wouldn’t be standing there watching my shop burn. The second asshole comes back in and starts to attach a rope to my wrists and ankles. Because I’m still tied to the bed, I cant hit or kick him. And the smoke is getting thicker. I can’t see Daphne’s foot anymore.