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Didn’t he just say the last time they had me in the pool wasn’t supposed to go that far? Doesn’t he know it could happen again? Was that all a game to him, to act sympathetic to get me to open up? Shit. They’re playing me the same way I’m playing them.
I’m fucked.
My lungs feel like they’re filling with water. The burn gets stronger with every breath. I know I’m not in water, but I can't help but feel like I’m going under. My chest is heaving and my pulse is pounding in my head. My vision goes black, causing the panic to rise even more inside my chest.
No. No. No.
“Zamira.” I faintly hear.
Dad? Are you there? I’m okay, Dad. I’ll be okay.
“Zamira.”
Dad, am I dead? Why can I hear you, but I can’t see you? Where’s Mom and Zoe?
“Zamira!” Theon’s voice breaks through. I snap to reality when I see his hands wrapped around my upper arms. I’m still breathing hard, strands of my hair entering my mouth every time I pull in air. My wide eyes stare at his hand, trying to calm myself.
You’re alive, Zamira. Calm the fuck down.
Part of me is relieved that I’m alive, but the other is sad that I’m not seeing my family again. Jesus, they fucked me up bad and now I just let Theon see how terrified I am of the water.
Theon reaches up, and softly brushes the hair from my face. “We aren’t going to the pool, Zamira.” The sincerity in his voice makes me feel a little better.
I look into his eyes for confirmation. “We aren’t?”
“No, you’re moving upstairs.”
What the hell?“Upstairs?”
“Yeah, let’s go, princess.” For some reason, it doesn’t sting when he calls me that this time. It feels...right. A warmth flares in my chest, but his next words quickly extinguish it.
“We don’t want to keep Ace waiting.” He takes a step, pulling me with him toward the stairs.
Fuck Ace and what he wants.
“Why are you moving me up here?” I ask as we reach the door at the top of the stairs.
“We need your favorite cell for some other fucker. Gotta move you out temporarily. Can’t have you fucking the guy or plotting against us with him.” He smirks at me, clearly happy with himself for his insult.
What is it with this man and the mixed signals?
Pushing the door open, light floods through, burning my eyes.
They’re moving me so they can torture someone else. Not that I want this new man to suffer, but this could be good for me. I can use this opportunity to find more of their secrets.
Fuck, they’re actually letting me up where they live. Well, I assume it’s where they live. The night Ace threw me in the pool, I only got to see a glimpse of this place, especially since I was focused on what the hell they were going to do to me, but it looked like a home up here and not another torture area.
When my eyes adjust to the bright contrast from the basement, I see a short hallway with a door on the right. The walkway opens up to a spacious kitchen with an open floor plan and dining room area to my right. All the stainless-steel appliances in here are modern, but not overwhelmingly gaudy. It actually looks normal, very simplistic, not what I’d expect from men who probably have loads of money.
The walls are white and void of decorations, giving no hint of personality to the place, but they look oddly satisfying against the dark cabinets and marble countertops. Looking out the large glass sliding bay doors, the sun reflecting off the water catches my attention.
A shudder rolls through me, remembering my last time out there. Remembering the feeling of despair and helplessness.
The pool. It’s right out there. The gorgeous blue water is calm inside the pool, but the chaos it fills me with is anything but. Ace could take me out there and drown me again in the blink of an eye. Theon told me we weren’t going out there, but I don’t know if I believe him. I have no reason to, they’ve done nothing but try to break me.
My chest rises up and down in a panic. I think about turning and running back to the cell because I weirdly feel safer down there, but Ace’s dark laugh stops me.
Turning my attention toward the sound, I see Ace and Blais sitting at a glass table. It’s big enough to fit eight people, much more guests than I imagine they have out here. Its beautiful crystal-clear glass looks pristine with no smudges or marks on it.
