Page 55 of Learning to Love

This is my chance to gain a little bit of his trust. "Jeffery, I'm just confused. I don't know why any of this is happening. Please, help me understand. I don't want to trick you."

He sits on the bed. "What's the question?"

"Well, for starters, are my friends okay?"

He smiles. "They're okay, Dani. I kept everyone safe, just like he told me. I injected them both with a sedative that would make them sleep for hours. I needed extra time to cover my tracks and steal you away towards our destination. Next question."

I fake a smile, but I am genuinely relieved. I don't know what I would do if Toby and Sasha had been hurt. "Thank you for not hurting my friends, Jeffery."

"I would have, you know, had he wanted me to. I'm very loyal to him. He's my only friend."

Goosebumps move up and down my entire body. I have to say the right things but all I want to do is yell at him and run as fast as I can away from this nightmare I've found myself in. "I know, Jeffery. Benji is very lucky to have a friend like you."

He puffs out his chest. "I'm the lucky one. I was a major stoner, you know. He cleaned me up and helped me find my purpose."

"One of the most important things in life is to find our purpose. I'm glad you've done that. Can I ask my second question now?"

"Only one more, Dani, that was our deal."

I hastily swallow the bile as it creeps up my throat. "I understand if you can't tell me. I'm pretty flattered, and I can't wait to tell Benji just how good you've taken care of me! But why did he want you to kidnap me?"

He looks at war with himself. I took a big gamble asking him this because I can tell he's very loyal to Benji. I'm relieved he doesn't appear to be pissed about my question. In the end, wanting me to brag on him to Benji wins out. "You're special, Dani. He knew it from the first moment he laid eyes on you during move in day. He's quite smitten with you. He's going to be king of his dad's business, and you'll be his queen. You'll never want for anything. Neither one of us will. Jake can't do for you what Benji can. You'll see, and I'll work for the both of you one day. Once I know that you won't take advantage of how good Benji is, I'll be very loyal to you also."

What the hell. I thought the first time he saw me was at the party. Has he been following me all this time? "But why the kidnapping?"

He scoffs. "Isn't it obvious? You wouldn't give him the time of day. He had to do something extravagant to get your attention. He had to separate you from everyone in your life so that you could see that he’s the only one that can truly love you like you need to be loved. If you get to know him, you'll see that Jake is no good, and you don't need him."

My stomach growls loudly. I am saved by the growl because I had no clue what to say to that hogwash. This is wrong on so many levels. Jeffery is being manipulated, but I've overestimated just how loyal he is to Benji. "Benji, I'm hungry, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy my food right now because I'm disgusting. I desperately need a hot shower. I also need to use the ladies' room. Can I shower and use the bathroom before we eat?"

He nods his head. "I took some clothes for you out of your room. I didn't take any shoes, though. If I let you have shoes, you may try to escape. I'll make us some food while you shower and dress. Spaghetti, okay?"

I smile. He must not know I'm from Georgia. We don't wear shoes most of the time anyway. Being barefoot won't stop us! "It's my favorite."

"Good, good. The bathroom is right across the hall, and I'll watch your every move. No escaping, or I'll have to drug you again."

I nod and quickly escape to the bathroom. I close the door and put my clean clothes on the sink. I sit on the floor and hug my knees, crying silently, silencing the moans in my hand. I'm so scared and not sure if or when I'll be able to escape. Now is not the time to leave, though. Now I must make Jeffery trust me. I wipe my tears and jump into the shower. I can do this. My very life may depend upon my success.

Chapter 34

Plot Twist

Everything Fearless 24/7

The FBI has accepted the daunting task of finding Dani. They have some leads, and Janet is at the top of the suspect pool, but she's dumb as a brick. No way she could pull this off. A stoner named Jeffery is missing. He's Benji's bestie so this could get very interesting.

The hot droplets of water mold themselves to my skin. This shower is everything right now. I'm nauseated, panicked, and just ready for my escape. I have to get away from here. I looked out of the small bathroom window before jumping in the shower and noticed a lake to the left side of the cabin. We are also in a heavily wooded area. From what I could tell, there were no other signs of life.

I almost jump out of my skin when Jeffery bangs on the bathroom door. He wants me to hurry. Scared, I start trembling but I do as he insists. I climb out of the shower and quickly dry off. I'm freaking out on the inside, but I can't let it show. I put on my clothes and take a deep breath, saying a silent little prayer as I open the door. Here goes nothing.

I can smell the spaghetti as I pad down the hall and into the kitchen. He turns around quickly, a smile on his face. "Thank you for doing everything I ask. I can't wait to tell him how good you were."

I swallow long and hard. The bile is getting harder and harder to go back down. I make myself smile. "Thank you. When I think about all the trouble Benji has gone through for me, it makes me want to please him." Gross. I'm going to throw up if I have to tell any more lies But my lies seem to soothe him. Jeffery turns back to the spaghetti sauce and gives it another stir. He still doesn't trust me, but I hope I'm winning him over. My nerves are beyond shot. "Do you need any help? Or may I sit down?"

"Please, take your seat at the table. The garlic bread will take about two more minutes, then we can eat."

I nod and sit at the elongated dining room table. Patiently waiting I think about what I can do to get out of here. Thank God my granny made me watch all of those true crime documentaries. I shouldn't say she made me. After a couple of episodes, I loved watching them. I don't love it so much now that I'm in my own story, but hopefully I won't end up with a bad actress playing my part in a Lifetime movie.

I wonder if my family knows yet. My heart shatters into thousands of pieces as I think about the pain they must be feeling. My granny has a bad heart. She had a stroke two years ago and it almost killed her. I don't know what I will do if this is what takes her out. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. I can't think about my family now, it's too painful. I have to keep fighting for my life so that I can see them again.