Page 29 of My Favorite Kidnapper

I lay on my futon, suddenly exhausted. I didn’t bother to change, planning on doing so in the morning. The leggings and sweatshirt I wore were comfortable enough. Roomba climbed up beside me, stretching out behind me the way she always did. I reached back, stroking along her fur, and fell asleep quickly, welcoming the darkness.

Tomorrow would be a better day.

* * *

I woke, feeling sluggish. I burrowed back under the blanket, my bed feeling extraordinarily comfortable this morning and the room brighter than usual. My sleep had been filled with dreams. I had felt movement around me. My body being transported. Disjointed voices. Odd sounds. Dante had drifted through my mind more than once. I had felt his touch. Heard the timbre of his voice in my head.

“I’m sorry, Little Bee, but it has to happen.”

“You’ll love it.”

“It’s all right, we’ll be there soon. I have you.”

With my eyes still shut, I reached behind me, feeling the comforting warmth of Roomba as she slept. I stroked her fur, needing her presence to ground me. I wasn’t sure why I felt so groggy this morning. I hadn’t taken anything; in fact, I had fallen asleep fast. I reached for the glass I kept beside the bed and took a sip of the cool water. I frowned as I felt the weight of the goblet in my hand. Traced the heavy pattern cut into the edge. My usual cup was a small, cheap one I’d bought at the dollar store. I swallowed, setting it down on the table beside the futon, gripping the blanket. It was soft, light, warm. It smelled of sunshine and citrus. My blankets were old, rough, and always carried a trace of dampness. My futon felt different. Not hard and unforgiving. The mattress I was on cradled my body—like a cloud.

I sat up, forcing my tired eyes open. I stared around the unfamiliar room in shock. Cream-colored walls with pretty landscape pictures hanging on them greeted me. Large windows with curtains moving lazily in the soft breeze filled one wall. The bed I was in was plush, thick, and decadent. The blanket I was clutching felt puffy and soft gripped in my hand. Beside me, Roomba stretched, making a low noise in her throat as she rolled over. I relaxed, realizing I was having a dream. Within a dream. If I could feel Roomba, hear her, obviously, I was just dreaming. I slid from the bed, noting I was still in my sweatshirt and leggings. I huffed. I could have at least dreamed up some fancy jammies. The floor felt warm on my feet as I headed to the windows. I gasped at the scenery in front of me. Rolling hills, trees, vineyards, and green were all I could see for miles. I stepped onto the balcony, the stone still warm on my toes, and walked to the railing. Below me was a circular driveway with a fountain in the middle of it. The water splashed and danced in the sun, and the air was heavy with the scent of nature, the breeze clean and refreshing. I inhaled deeply, also catching the scent of coffee. I grinned. A good dream wouldn’t be complete without coffee.

My stomach grumbled, and I recalled all I’d had for supper the night before was an apple and peanut butter crackers. I assumed if I was feeling hungry, that meant I was going to wake up soon and this pretty vista would vanish. I padded back into the room and took in its beauty again. The high ceilings. The light. The lovely tapestries I noticed for the first time. My suitcase, the cat carrier, and some boxes seemed out of place in this room, and I frowned.

Why would my suitcase, the carrier, and some boxes be in my dream?

I looked around again, my breathing picking up. I saw two doors on one of the walls, and I peeked in one, gaping. All my overalls were there, hanging neatly beside my worn T-shirts. The dress I had worn to Carolina’s wedding was there too. On the opposite rail were more overalls in a variety of colors. New shirts made of cotton so soft it felt like silk under my touch. Never-worn sneakers were lined up on the floor.

My breathing came even faster, and I opened the other door, staring at the opulent bathroom. The huge tub and shower. The marble sink. I realized I had to pee.

That shouldn’t happen in a dream, should it?

I used the facilities, trying to tamp down my panic. I washed my hands and face, studying it in the mirror as I brushed my teeth. My hair was wild around my pale face, my eyes wide as the reality of the situation became clear. I touched the cold glass.

I wasn’t dreaming.

Everything I was feeling, everything I was seeing, was real.

I wasn’t in my apartment in Toronto.

Where the heck was I?

I returned to the bedroom, spying another door on the opposite wall. I noticed Roomba was missing and saw that the door was ajar. She must have gone out that way.

I approached the door with caution and peeked out into the hallway. The floors were marble and pristine. I saw a staircase and tiptoed to the railing, glancing down. A huge foyer with the same marble on the floor was circular in shape. It had a massive wooden door, and I could see the entrances to some other rooms. I heard the faint notes of music playing.

The aroma of coffee was stronger, and I squared my shoulders.

I had a feeling I knew who was behind this change of scenery.

And we were about to discuss it.

* * *

DANTE

I heard her rushed footsteps coming down the stairs. I waited patiently for her to appear in the doorway. As I suspected, she headed for the front door first, and, unable to open it, she headed toward the brightness of this room, anticipating a way out. She stopped cold when she saw me sitting on the sofa, coffee cup in hand.

My God, she was a disaster. Her hair looked as if she’d been caught in a wind tunnel. Her clothing was stretched and wrinkled. She had lines on her face from her pillow. A small smudge of toothpaste by her bottom lip. She was fucking captivating.

But then I noticed the white pallor of her skin and the exhaustion that surrounded her.

Had I put too much sedative in her Ovaltine?