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"On what grounds?" I ask, pulling my backpack closer to my chest. Maybe I can rush past him, but I see the second man behind him, waving at me with a much too friendly smile on his face.
"On the grounds ofbecause I said so." He grabs my wrist, his grip so strong that I wince. "I don't advise making a scene, Ms. Bellini."
Shit.
I’d gotten so close. I’d gottenonto the train, the part I’d thought would be the hardest, only to get tracked down like an animal. What’s worse is that I don’t recognize either of these two men. My heart sinks like an anchor, dropping into my stomach all at once. What’s going on?
If these aren’t my father’s men…
Double shit.
"I'll scream," I threaten. I try to pull my hand away, but even if I were a gym-bunny—and I'm not—I wouldn't be able to compete with this man’s raw strength.
He rolls his eyes at me, then says loudly, “Your parents are very worried about you, Luke. Just wait until you’re eighteen if you want to run away to be with an older man.”
That draws the attention of several of the passengers. This isn’t good. My disguise has worked against me, and now everybody thinks I’m a teen runaway. If I protest or reveal myself, more security might get called in. Then I’ll be sent right back to Daddy.
The train was a bad idea after all. I should have rented a car.
I stand up and glare at the man—or try to, anyway. Damn, he’s tall. I have to crane my neck to look at him. His companion is only a few inches shorter than him. I stand no chance against these two in close quarters.
I should make a fuss, but these men are dangerous, and the last thing I need is to bring even more attention to us.
“Fine,” I say. “But when my father hears about this…” I have to hope these two don’t know why I’m on the train. I need them to fear my family—and I need them to think I’m just a weak, helpless girl. Men tend to underestimate me, assuming that I’m dumb and naïve. Let them think that. It makes them easier to manipulate.
“That’s a good girl,” the taller man says. He puts an arm around me and leads me off the train. There’s a threat in his embrace, and I know I won’t get far if I try to run here.
That doesn’t mean I stop thinking, though. There has to be a way out of this. If I can get the cap off and show the hair of someone who’s very obviously female and not aLuke, if I can get someone to realize his badge is bullshit… But no. Even while my mind is racing and trying to find a way out, he’s escorting me through the train station.
“Let go of me,” I hiss. I try to twist free of his grasp, but he only puts more pressure on my wrist. I bite my lip to keep from crying out, and I stumble. He catches me with ease.
People are looking in our direction, but he just holds up that badge and people only stare like this is the most interesting thing they’ve seen in ages. Some well-meaning bystander might’ve helped if it hadn’t been for that crappy thing, but they didn’t know the difference between a real badge and a fake one.
Not like me.
“No can do, Princess,” he tells me, pushing me out of the building and into the well-lit parking lot.
It’s hellish, but for a kidnapping, it could be a lot worse. So far, it’s almost… polite.
Maybe my father did send him. If so, I’m completely fucked.
If not, I’m also fucked.
The only way out of this is to get away from these two men, and I have no idea how to make that happen. I do know if he forces me into a car, I’m done for.
My captor’s smaller friend is a few steps ahead of us, pushing the button on the car keys to make it unlock. It’s now or never.
I kick my captor’s shin as hard as I can. I know my strength doesn’t compare to his, but shins are weak, and I’m in luck: he wasn’t expecting the attack. He yelps and loosens his hold.
I bolt. The adrenaline gives me the push I need. My backpack slaps my back as I run, and my breath starts to burn my throat, but I’m out of there. I’ve never run so fast in my life. Thank god I’m wearing sneakers and not heels. Fuck, I wish I’d been able to steal a gun before I’d taken off.
“Fuck! Grab her!”
I hear both of them chasing after me. If I can make it back into the station, I can get lost in the crowd. I’ll find another exit, hail a cab, steal a car, anything to get away from them.
I’m two steps away from the station entrance when one of them grabs my backpack and jerks me backward. I tumble into his arms. It’s the shorter man this time, but he’s just as jacked, and while I struggle against his hold, his friend grabs my wrists and cuffs them together behind my back.
“Let go!” I yell, kicking at random. They’re prepared for me this time, and Mr. Dark-and-Dangerous catches my ankle.
