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The next morning, I awoke bored out of my mind. When Ethan wasn't around, there wasn't much to do in this opulentprison. Though the door was left unlocked as Ethan's new way of pretending to be a "gentleman," there was nothing to do. The good news was that the guards around the house frequently looked past me as if I didn't exist, allowing me to freely roam the rooms.
It almost seemedlike I was his guest. But I knew better. I was Ethan's prisoner, and I had to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. I resisted the urge to reach for the television remote while sitting on the sofa. I was still worried about Anna and my uncle. So far, Ethan had said nothing about him; it seemed he wasunharmed and safe. Nonetheless, I was concerned about my friend, especially when I thought of the basement she was kept in.
Ethan hadn't hurt her, but it was only a matter of time before he did. Anna had warned me that her father and his men would come looking for her. When that would happen, there would be death and blood everywhere. I knew this because I knew Ethan would not negotiate with his enemies. And Anna's father was far froma friend of the Levines.
It would be beneficial to me if the Whites came around, but I was too concerned about those who would most likely suffer in the end. The best, albeit unrealistic, solution was to persuade Ethan to release Anna.
"Where are you taking me?" That moment, I heard Anna's voice, and it seemed like the universe was conspiring to help me.
It took me about a second to realize that I had heard hervoice and that it wasn't a figment of my imagination. I jumped up from the sofa and dashed over to the window. Pulling back the curtains, I saw herbeing pushed into the backseat of a car as she begged the men trying to get her into it.
"Anna!" I couldn't stop myself from yelling from the window. I didn't expect to be heard, but she turned her head immediately, searching for my voice.
"Vanessa! Please,help me!" she screamed back before they pushed her head forward, and she vanished into the car's backseat. One of the men, standing by the front passenger seat, returned my gaze. It was Tristan.
He was a huge man, and his eyes were as cold as they had always been to me. I was always afraid around him. He didn't say anything and almost daredme to yell again, which reminded meof my inability to protect my friend and uncle.
Steeled, I turned away from the window and ran out of the bedroom. Where is Ethan? I had to find him. He was the only one who could stop whatever punishment they had planned for Anna.
But as soon as I exited, heappeared at the stairs as if he sensed something was wrong with me.
"Ethan!" I called to him without thinking much about it because my rage had taken over. He came to a halt and turned to face me, a smirk on his face. I hadn't realized I'd left my room without a bra underneath my t-shirt. The asshole didn't even try to hide his delight at seeing me like that.
Three other men quickly joined himby the stairs.
"How can I help you? You seem a tadagitated," he asked me, that arrogant smirk still on his face.
"May I speak with you?" I asked him, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The men around us looked at me, shocked. They had probably never heard anyone speak so casually to him.
"My study then," he nodded, motioning for everyone to follow him down the corridor until he reached the first door on his left. The men did as instructed but didn't dare to look at me again. I had a feeling it was because they thought I belonged to Ethan.
“I belong to no man andespecially not toEthan,” I mutteredunder my breath.
I followed them and entered hisstudy. Itwas surprisingly large and sophisticated. I didn't picture him as the type of man who obsesses over details and decorations, but the room had a manly vibe to it with a lot of black and white.
I took a deep breath and briefly closed my eyes to gather my thoughts. At this point, I would do anything to protect my friend from whatever they had in store for her.
"Please,do not harm Anna. She did nothing."
Ethanstood there watching me. His amusement had returned, and I couldn't understand how he could be so cruel asto enjoy seeing me get sick with worry.
"Leave," he said to the men, and I knew he wanted to talk to me alone. I had grown accustomedto the glint in his eyes whenever he wanted me.
The men nodded and exited, closing the door behind them.
"It depends on you, Vanessa," he sang my name as he unbuttoned his coat and shirt.
