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“Good try.” She heard Ben chuckle behind her.
Her screams were muffled as she was ushered back up the fire escape. He kept his hand around her mouth while he opened the door to her hallway.
“Keep quiet,” he ordered in a demanding tone.
She couldn’t risk her family’s life. He was already pissed that she tried to escape. This was going to be the end. A tear rolled down her face as he opened the door to her apartment.
* * *
He shutthe door with one hand and walked to her closet, grabbing two leather belts. Her eyes widened as she thought of him torturing her. She tried to say something through his hand, but he held her too tightly.
He walked her over to the chair she had sat on and shoved her down.
“Please, I’m sorry,” she begged.
“Shut up.” He cut her off in a loud voice as he tied her hands to the chair with the belts. She didn’t resist. That would only make things worse.
He stood and brushed his hair out of his face, sighing. He wore Liz’s oversized sweatpants but remained shirtless. The contour of his abs no longer spelled attraction. They were a reminder of his dominance.
“Don’t think about turning the music on again,” he said, beginning to pace. “I unplugged the one in the kitchen and bedroom.”
Liz pursed her lips and nodded slowly. She looked up at him. “So, is this it for me?” she asked with a gulp.
“In a way, yes.” He pulled the other chair toward her from across the room. He sat in front of her and leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees.
“I think you … might be of use to me,” he said, staring at her intensely.
She furrowed her brows and stared back at him. She stayed silent for a few seconds before curiosity overtook her.
“How?”
He smiled slightly and leaned back in the chair, putting his toned arm over the back of it. “You’re different than I thought. More confident. A little …” he paused to look at her, “fearless.”
She continued to stare at him in confusion, feeling the belt buckles dig into her wrists. “I don’t think I’m in the mood for compliments.”
“See?” he said, pointing a finger at her and leaning forward again. “That’s it, right there,” he replied with a half-smile. “That fire. The pushback, the resistance … even when you’re in danger.”
“Well, that makes me feel comfortable,” she said, rolling her eyes. She relaxed her muscles and took a deep breath. “What’s your point?”
“Sinsations. The club I work at,” he began.
“Mmm-hmm?” she said, nodding skeptically.
He sighed and looked to the side. “I think members of the Moretti family are trying to hide ill-gotten money in the club’s books. Since I am the manager of said club, if all hell breaks loose, who do you think they will look at first?” He looked back at her. “I need someone …” he looked her over, “inconspicuous to get answers for me. Where is this money coming from, and how are they doing it?”
She squinted her eyes suspiciously. “You want me to be a spy?”
He nodded and inhaled. “I think you would be the best option.”
“Well, that doesn’t make me feel very special when you say it like that,” she said mockingly.
“It is also … your best option.”
She stared into his eyes. It was clear he meant business. She thought of her family, her childhood home. She couldn’t afford to not take this offer, but maybe she could bargain.
“What’s in it for me?”
He laughed. “Your life.”
