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“How very sad. The man I met was a beautiful, decent man with an incredible laugh and a wonderful sense of humor.”
“That man doesn’t exist.”
“Bullshit. Only when you realize that will you never be happy will you allow a change. If that’s possible. Maybe your soul is already too black for that to occur.”
Happiness. I knew better than to wish for it. The tension was palpable.
“I shouldn’t be long. Dillon will be downstairs.” I was in the doorway before she said anything else.
“Don’t do this, Gabriel. This isn’t you. You’re a stockbroker, not a monster.”
“No, Sarah. I’ve always been a monster. That’s what I was brought up to be. I only successfully disguised it underneath five-thousand-dollar suits and behind expensive sports cars. None of that was who and what I am. The sooner you accept that the better.”
As I closed the door, I realized that was likely the most truthful statement I’d made.
* * *
Sarah
A prisoner.
I’d never believed under any circumstances that I’d become one. I’d prided myself for following the rules my entire life. I’d never even gotten a parking ticket. Now I was a bird in a gilded cage, and it terrified me.
I turned around in a full circle, my pulse racing. The bedroom was lavish by any standards, the king-size bed adorned with a deep purple comforter, several pillows nestled on the surface. The hardwood floor was rich in tone, mahogany in hue. There was a leather sofa and a matching chair positioned near a floor-to-ceiling window, a bookcase directly behind filled with various fiction and nonfiction books.
Even the light fixtures were incredible, at least one of them a Tiffany and I doubted it was a reproduction. The stone fireplace on one wall was massive, drawing my attention. I could envision nights of romance, not my wrists being shackled to the bed. I stared down at my arms, noticing a slight chafing from the rope on one of them. I’d struggled, doing everything I could to get out of Gabriel’s clutches.
My nerves had gotten the better of me, leaving me exhausted and nauseous. I walked to one of the windows, peering out at the grounds. I’d been right. The house backed up to a beautiful scene of water, an oversized dock perfect for mooring a boat. There was a helipad and a giant pool, although still covered for the winter season. My parents lived in a beautiful house, but not nearly as stunning as the one I’d been locked inside.
Everything was surreal, my mind a blur from everything I’d learned.
Why was he really keeping me? Was he serious about getting married? He couldn’t force me. Could he? I’d heard of arranged marriages, but two parties had to agree, especially since I wasn’t underage, and this was the United States, for God’s sake. Shit like that didn’t happen. Somehow, I knew better. I had the distinct feeling that he would force me to sign the marriage license under threat of doing something horrible to my father.
Sighing, I eased to the floor, crossing my legs, allowing the pups to crawl all over me. He was a brutal man. I’d begun to see that, but there was a tenderness to him that allowed him to care for my dogs. He had no reason to do that, unless he was trying to keep me from escaping. He knew exactly how to hold an invisible blade to my throat. I’d never do anything that could potentially cause them harm.
So all three of us were his hostages.
I was so drained I couldn’t cry, had no desire to scream because no one would hear me. What in the world could I do? My purse. Had he brought my purse with him? I glanced toward the bag Dillon had dumped on the bed and shifted away from the dogs, crawling closer. When I stood, my hand was shaking as I lifted the duffle bag. No purse. Gabriel’s soldier had thought of everything. There was no way to contact anyone. Other than my sister expecting me at her place, no one knew anything was wrong.
And I’d been careless or stupid enough not to tell her what was going on. Wait. Maggie. She knew. Maybe she’d already contacted the police. What could she say to them? My only hope was she’d had the forethought to contact my father. Then I remembered she was going on vacation. Shit. Carrie was the only person who would draw any attention to my absence, but she knew nothing. Oh, God. What had I done?
I backed away, once again glancing at the puppies. “Stay here just for a little while. I’ll be right back. Okay?” I’d talked to them like they were human from the day I’d picked them up from two different shelters. They understood enough they didn’t barge toward the door.
I walked out tentatively, closing the door behind me, leaving the pups inside. The house was too quiet, as if there’d never been any love inside. I’d seen so many emotions in Gabriel’s eyes from hatred to sadness. He was a conflicted man who was doing what was required of him. Was it possible he cared about me?
Don’t go down that road. Does it matter if he does?
No. It didn’t.
Or at least it shouldn’t.
Somehow, I knew my life was forever changed because of the wicked choices I’d made.
I quietly walked down the stairs, listening for any sounds. I wasn’t certain if I hoped Gabriel would still be in the house. The thought of what he had planned churned my stomach. Killing was a part of his world, so innate that it was just another day at the office. For me, it had been mentally and emotionally destructive, dragging me to the darkest part of myself.
There was no one in sight as I reached the landing, no indication Dillon was close by. I remained as silent as possible as I moved from room to room. The living room was spectacular, the sweeping views to die for. The space was huge, meant for entertaining at least twenty-five people with ease, but the ambiance gave it a cozy feel, the fireplace adding to the expectation of comfort on a quiet winter’s day. While there was no fire going, I gathered a slight scent of hickory.
I ran my fingers over the soft camel leather as I walked to the set of back doors, the view overlooking the ocean. I noticed a hot tub and cabana, also large enough to accommodate a party, a perfect place for a band.
