AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He was direct, didn’t tolerate screwups, and pushed until he got what he wanted. These traits didn’t always benefit me, but more often than not, they meant he did everything he could to help me out.
“I couldn’t get away. I think Maurizio suspects something.”
“He’d be stupid not to. Anyone would be suspicious about their long-lost son showing back up after seven years.”
Yeah, there was that. “You have any more info?”
“I found your guy.”
The words made me sit up, body stilling. This was it. Would I finally be able to put this to rest? “Where?”
“You won’t like it. And he won’t be easy to get to. But lucky for you I have a job I need you to do that will get you a step closer.”
“Tell me.”
And Officer Harris finally gave me the name of the man who killed my friend.
Chapter7
Everleigh
Every dayduring my first week followed the same pattern. I spent all day in the office adding up numbers and sorting out accounts, then used the last hour to unsuccessfully hack into their hard drives. I had to at least try finding something, refusing to stop looking for Archer even while I was a captive.
Santino followed me everywhere, so looking around the compound wasn’t an option at the moment.
I chatted with Mariana during breakfast and dinner—me in English, her in Spanish, but somehow we communicated—and fell asleep in the closet and woke up in bed, surrounded by Lucius’s scent.
That morning we were on our way to the office when someone came running up to Santino. After a rapid-fire conversation in Spanish and a mumbled “Behave” thrown my way, he dropped the keys to the office into my hand and was gone.
I knew the way to the kitchen and the office by now, but it felt strange walking by myself. I was excited because my newfound freedom meant I could finally explore the grounds, but also scared because there were a lot of guards. None of them looked like they would ask questions first and shoot later.
Nevertheless, I walked down a hall I knew wouldn’t lead me to the office. I counted three dining rooms, five bathrooms, and at least as many bedrooms on my way. All had bars on the windows.
I finally found a living room. A patio door led outside into the expansive garden. I tried the handle, my hands damp and shaky. Locked. There were also heavily armed guards standing outside. I backed up, deciding not to test my luck further.
After rounding a few unfamiliar corners, it became obvious that I didn’t know where I was. I should have paid better attention, but I was too nervous to make sure I knew where I was going. I’d always been directionally challenged.
My search for the way back to the office ended at a winter garden. There were plants of various sizes in pots all around the room. It had a glass ceiling, and three sides were made out of glass. The sun felt wonderful on my skin. It was the closest I’d come to being outside since coming here, and I soaked up the light as if it were oxygen.
Bending down, I looked at a bright pink flower, running a finger over the edges of the petals.
I was getting back up when someone grabbed my neck harshly. I was stuck in an awkward half crouch, unable to move. “Cabrona. ¿Que haces aqui?”
The voice sent a wave of terror through me. I glanced up, and the gleam in the guy’s eyes was terrifying. The grip he had on my neck was enough to make my breathing laborious.
What was I thinking, wandering around by myself?
“I don’t think you’re allowed to walk by yourself, no?” His threat was obvious, but I had nothing to say in response. We both knew I wasn’t supposed to be here.
He pushed me down on the ground and held me against the cold tiles. I didn’t make a sound, too scared to move a muscle. Nobody had ever laid a hand on me. I was frozen, immobile, stunned. My breathing became erratic; my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest and run away screaming.
“My silence will cost you.” He licked the side of my face, and a tear fell. His breath was stale, and he smelled of cigarettes. I nearly gagged when he roughly grabbed one of my breasts. He pinched my nipple hard, and a little cry escaped me. He seemed to enjoy it and did it again, harder this time. “You want more, do you?”
No, I most definitely did not want more. But I wasn’t dumb enough to point that out.
I closed my eyes, pretending I was somewhere else. I was frozen in fear, the thought of fighting back not even occurring to me. I was pathetic. I was ashamed. I was weak.The square root of 798 is 28. The square root of 365 is 19.
His hand wandered down my body. I jerked in his hold, causing him to tighten his grip. Breathing became a struggle. He ignored my wheezing breaths, instead squashing my head against the tile. I prayed for him to stop. I never thought this would happen to me. I’d always been so careful. Guarded. Never went home with a stranger. Parked in well-lit and safe areas.
