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“Yeah, well, I’ve never been known to have patience either.”
“Very well, Emily. I’m waiting for answers.”
Why did I have the feeling those answers were all about my background?
He remained exactly where he was, his eyes never blinking. I’d never felt so vulnerable before, almost as if I lay completely bare in front of him. Everything about him was intense and angry, as if the world had done him wrong. I tried to keep the same hard stare but failed after a few seconds, concentrating instead on taking small sips of my drink.
I had no idea how long he remained in a crouched position, the only sound in the room that of my ragged breathing. Finally, he stood and walked away, allowing me to breathe easier. His presence was overwhelming, leaving me trembling even more than before. Time was at a standstill again, which allowed me to experience a near freefall as images of the shooting raged on in my mind.
I had to find a way out of here. The moment he leaned his head against the wall, closing his eyes, I dared to scan the room, including turning quietly to study the door he’d brought me in through. Even if I tripped the alarm, I might have enough time to get out of the house. Once I did, the darkness at least would provide some cover. Then I could run to one of the houses for help.
Would that put the residents in harm’s way? No, I wasn’t going to do that. I had to get the hell away from him. If this location was used as nothing more than an office, it was entirely possible he’d take me out of the city. Then I’d be doomed. Maybe I could find a weapon of some kind. My guess was he had bags of them hidden away.
“Is it possible to use the bathroom?”
He lifted his head slowly, turning his head toward me after a few seconds. As he’d done several times before, his eyes penetrated mine, searching to see if I was lying to him. “It’s directly across the hall, Emily. I don’t need to remind you what will happen if you try and defy me.”
I nodded, fighting with my nerves to get to my feet, placing the glass on the chair. I tried to act conciliatory as I headed out of the room, making certain he could see me as I walked into the small room, flipping on the light. Almost instantly I could tell there would be nothing of use, but I was determined to look anyway. I started to close the door, only to have it pushed open by several inches.
“Nice try, Emily. I’m afraid you haven’t earned any privileges yet.”
His statement was a clear indication he planned on taking me with him wherever he was going. I didn’t bother arguing, giving him a single nod and nothing else. When he didn’t walk away immediately, I threw my head over my shoulder. “Are you going to watch? Are you some sick kind of freak who likes to watch girls pee?”
He sneered at me then walked away, returning to the room. I sucked in and held my breath before moving to the cabinet beneath the sink, wincing when the door creaked slightly. The only thing underneath was a roll of toilet paper. The small closet wasn’t any more helpful, the stack of hand towels obviously purchased at a thrift store. Dejected, I stared at myself in the mirror, fighting a whimper just from seeing the blood remaining on my neck.
For some crazy reason, all I could suddenly think about was removing every reminder that my life had just ended. I grabbed one of the towels, sticking it under the water. Tears formed again and this time, I lost the battle, two trickling down from both eyes. When I felt his presence, I snapped without thinking. “Just leave me alone. Okay? Just fucking leave me alone for a couple of minutes. That’s all I’m asking.” This time I glared at him, which surprised the hell out of him.
“Don’t cry,mi premio. There’s no reason to ruin that pretty face of yours.”
“Just go.” I slammed my hand on the counter, praying to God I just hadn’t signed my death warrant.
After a few seconds, he nodded and walked away for a second time, but not before his eyes darkened, another reminder of the evil surging deep within him. I gasped for air, trying to think of anything I could do to detract his attention for ten seconds. That’s all I’d need to sprint to the door. As I wiped my face, I startled to unravel even more, fighting the ugliness and demons, the fear that almost became crippling.
And I prayed.
Only a few seconds later, I heard the distinct buzzing sound of his phone. My prayers had been answered. I took a quick peek around the still cracked door, terrified he’d seen me. He was speaking in Russian again. I listened, noticing a slight difference in sound. Then I dared to take another look.
Thank you. Thank you.
His back was turned. Without hesitation, I pushed the door open a few additional inches. Then I slipped out, not wasting any time heading for the front door. I had my hand on the latch, twisting it when there was no mistaking the scent of the brutal man or the heat from his rage.
He jerked me by the arm, wrapping his hand around my throat then pushing me against the wall. As he took scattered breaths, I slapped my fingers around his forearm, digging my fingers in. He tore his gaze away from my eyes, dropping them ever so slowly to my hold as an actual growl erupted from his mouth.
“It would seem you’ve been lying to me, sweet Emily.” The pressure from his hand was intense, but since he could easily snap my neck, I didn’t struggle.
“I… don’t understand.”
“I think you do.” He waited as if I was going to tell him that he was right. Not a chance in hell.
“What? What did I lie about?”
My God. The man wasn’t going to tell me. All he did was stare at me with his gorgeous eyes, even though they were filled with fury. His chiseled features were tight, the lines around his eyes increasing. He was full of fire and rage, his chest heaving as he held me.
“Get off me,” I hissed. I couldn’t catch a full breath, my thoughts jumbled. What the hell was he going to do to me? What had he found out? I was a nobody to him, just a girl trying to do something important in her life.
While that was true, a nagging feeling remained in the back of my mind.
Did this have something to do with my father? If so, then I would face the man’s full wrath.Please, don’t kill me. Please.Even if I’d pleaded with him, I knew it wouldn’t do any good. The man wasn’t just on the edge of losing his control; he was ready to jump off the precipice, taking me with him.
