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“If you promise to behave yourself.” He gives me a stiff nod.
“Okay,” I agree, my voice barely breaking the surface. I don’t want to appear too eager, but in truth this is what I’ve been waiting for. If I can get out of this room, learn my surroundings, maybe, just maybe, I can figure out a way out of this place.
“Good.” He abruptly pushes to a stand, leaning over to release the cuff on my left ankle before crossing around the bed and removing the one on my right. “I’ll leave you to get dressed.” Leaving the restraints latched to the bed, he turns and exits the room without another word.
——
ISIT ON THE EDGE OFthe bed and fidget nervously with the hem of the casual blue and white striped sundress I found hanging in the wardrobe. Today is the first day I’ve even looked inside the main compartment, and while not one item is something I would buy for myself, everything in there is beautiful and expensive. Too expensive. I almost wonder if he left the price tags attached on purpose, as if somehow that would impress me.
“Fat chance,” I mutter to myself.
I’ve gathered from the fact that all the items are either dresses or rompers, that wherever we are, it must be warm. I also didn’t miss the array of bathing suits perfectly folded on the bottom shelf next to several sets of sandals.
If his plan were to make me think I’d be getting out of here soon, the amount of clothes and toiletries he purchased for me says otherwise. I swear there’s enough in there that I could wear a new outfit every day for at least three weeks without wearing the same thing twice.
It’s disheartening. And honestly, a little confusing.
Why abduct someone then supply them with an entire wardrobe? Did he think that would somehow make me more complacent? That a bunch of shiny new things would make me forget that I’m here against my will or that his end game is to kill my father? If that man evenismy father. I’m still not a hundred percent convinced that what he’s told me is the truth.
I jump at the sound of the door opening but am surprised when it’s Niko that steps into the room and not Mateo. I’m instantly disappointed, though I’m not sure why.
“You ready?” Niko asks, his deep voice vibrating through the room.
“Yeah.” I try to control the nervous shake of my hands as I stand.
I cross the room, hesitating in the frame of the open door, before following Niko into the hallway.
“You touch me, I shoot you. You try to run, I shoot you. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” I mutter under my breath.
He waits until I’m next to him before setting off down the long corridor. I feel so small walking beside him, my legs having to work double time to keep up with his long strides.
“Where are we going?” I ask in a meek voice as we turn a corner and enter another long hallway.
“For a walk.”
“I know that. But where?” I ask, when we turn another corner and are met by a wide set of marble stairs.
“Does it matter?” He throws me a sideways glance before bounding down the stairs, glancing back several times, presumably to make sure I’m not going to push him down the stairs and take off.
When we reach the bottom, I’m taken aback by the enormous foyer I find myself in. Everything is so light and airy. I have to squint due to the bright sun pouring in through large glass ceiling panes. I guess that’s what happens when you go days without seeing sunlight.
“What is this place?” I ask, looking around as my eyes adjust. It’s decorated like an elegant mansion, yet there’s something cave like about it at the same time.
“We call it the island,” he says gruffly, making his way to the front door before tugging it open.
“The island?” I ask, thinking how unoriginal that sounds.
It isn’t until we step outside under the warm sunlight and I catch sight of the clear blue ocean that I realize why it might be called that.
“Wait, are we on anactualisland?” I ask, looking to my left and right. The beach extends a couple hundred yards in each direction then appears to fall off into the water.
“You catch on quick.” His tone is filled with sarcasm and maybe a little irritation. Clearly, this is not something he wants to be doing right now.
Slipping off my sandals, I reach down and pick them up, holding both in one hand as we make our way down a set of stone steps that lead onto the beach. The powdery sand feels incredible as it slips between my toes and the sun warming my back is like a small slice of heaven. I didn’t realize how badly I needed this until this very moment.
It makes sense why Mateo suggested this. He probably assumed it would put me in better spirits, make me more agreeable. And in a way, he wasn’t wrong. I already feel so much better. Well, as good as I can, given the current situation.
