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“He might own several knives.” I look around. “But I don’t think you can buy the type he uses here.”

The guy backs away slowly, his eyes wide. “Um. Nope. Haven’t seen anyone like that.”

Then he dashes away, sprinting through the store like Satan is chasing him.

Weirdo.

I guess I’m on my own to find the supplies I’ll need.

Unless I can find someone more helpful.

I grab a cart and start gathering the things I think I’ll need, keeping a mental checklist as I go.

Rope? Yes.

Zip ties? Definitely.

I hesitate on the duct tape because it might hurt his lips. And they are an asset.

But then I toss it in the cart, just in case he tries to leave again.

I don’t need him making a racket and drawing nosy Paula’s attention. She’d call the cops on me for kidnapping for sure.

Awkward.

There’s a basement beneath my house. Getting Roman down there by myself would be a bitch, though. Maybe I can get Ivy to help. Violet will probably say I’ve gone too far. But Ivy went to great lengths to get Sebastian, so she’d probably understand.

I push my cart down another aisle. Oh... chains.

Roman is awfully big. And strong. Could come in very handy.

I stand there with a chain in each hand, trying to decide which one feels heavier. Stronger.

Another employee approaches me with a big smile. “Can I help you find anything?”

“Which of these is stronger?” I thrust the chains into his hands.

“It depends on what you want to use them for.”

“Umm... home improvement.”

He blinks behind his thick glasses. “Home... improvement?” His gaze travels over me.

Judgmental.

I put my hands on my hips. “Hypothetically, if someone had that chain wrapped around them, would it be impossible to break?”

The chains clang as they hit the floor.

Men are so dramatic.

“Can I wrap it around you and see if you can escape?”

He gapes at me like I’m insane as he backs away, eyes wide behind his glasses.

Then he turns and starts running.

“It’s not for a crime. I’m into kinky stuff,” I yell after him.