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Chapter 38
“You still going to convince me he’s not your man?”
Logan Hall had gagged her again, which stopped her from replying. Ted loved her. The sound of his voice had given her strength. He’d find her because he’d told her so. Mandy knew that with him would be Dylan and likely Chief Blake.
“They’ll try and track this,” he waved his cell phone in her face. “But I’m destroying it.”
He then bundled her back into the dark confines of the closet.
“Don’t go anywhere.” He laughed. “Not that you will. Pathetic like you always were. Daddy’s little princess who was afraid of pretty much everything. Doesn’t look to me like much has changed.” He shut the door again. Mandy then heard another door slam.
How could she get out of here? Her hands and feet were bound tight. Mandy struggled to maneuver herself into a sitting position. She then wiggled until her back was pressed against the wall.
You’re strong in here.
I have changed, damn you. I’m not a victim!
She kicked out hard with both feet, but the closet door stayed closed. She did it again and again. On the fifth attempt it sprang open. Mandy rolled out, then across the floor. She was relieved to find Logan Hall wasn’t in the room.
She saw the knife then, on the table next to the chair.Idiot. He’d left it where she could reach it.I’m not pathetic Mandy anymore.
She then rolled to a wall, braced her back on it, and tried to push herself upright. It looked a lot easier to do in the movies. She was breathless by the time she’d managed it.
So much for being stronger. Now what?
Her hands were tied in front of her, so she tried to remove the gag, but it was tied tight. Looking to the door, she saw the chain. Hopping over, she secured it. At least it would keep him out, if only briefly. Through the window she saw only grass. Clearly, he’d chosen somewhere isolated.
The idiot believed she was still that little girl she’d once been. Weak, silent, and a victim. That was no longer the case, Mandy reminded herself.
Adrenaline was now coursing through her. Fear he’d return had her hopping back to the table. Once there, she picked up the sharp knife.
Wedging it between her knees, she attempted to cut the ties at her wrists, which was also a lot harder than it looked. She cut herself twice, and the progress was slow. Finally, after what felt like an hour, she freed her wrists.
The gag was first, and Mandy sucked in a deep, steadying breath as she tried to battle down the panic. The sound of a car pulling up outside had her hopping back to the window. She watched Logan Hall step out.
Looking at the chain, she wondered if it would keep him out.
Mandy was alone, and he had a gun. Quickly she bent and untied her ankles. The bonds were tight, and she was nervous, and the blood from her cuts made her fingers slippery. She could hear him shutting the car door, then he was walking toward the door.
Finally, she managed to undo the knot as he put his key in the lock. She ran to the table and grabbed the knife as the door handle turned. The chain held as he pushed it open.
“What the fuck!” He tried to force the door. “Open the door, you bitch! I’m shooting you if you don’t!”
Do I look like an idiot?
He kept forcing the door, trying to break the chain, and Mandy hurried out the room and deeper into the house. She found a bathroom with a lock that was her best option. Closing and bolting the door, she ran to the window and opened it, then started climbing out. It was a tight squeeze, but adrenaline had her making it, and soon she’d landed on the ground outside.
Tucking the knife into her cutoffs, she started running for the trees at the base of Roxy. Mandy knew this was the opposite side to where Ryker Falls was situated. Looking up, she also knew she’d have to go around or over to reach safety.
Turning, she saw that Logan Hall was following. She increased her pace.
Be strong in here.
“This is the location,”Dylan said softly. Chief Blake and one of his deputies were in the lead car, and behind them Ted with Dylan. The Trainers and Fin followed, because they knew this terrain better than most and if need be could track Mandy and the bastard who held her. Chief Blake had threatened them with arrest if they didn’t follow orders. They’d said they would; Ted knew that was a lie. Just like him, they’d do what needed to be done to get Mandy back.
Dylan signaled he was going up to the front door; Chief Blake raised his gun to cover him.
Ted looked at the house and wondered if Mandy was inside. Would he have her in his arms soon?Please let it be so.
