AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m having a panic attack.
Logically, I know what’s happening, but no matter how hard I concentrate, I can’t calm myself down. The vehicle slows and comes to a stop. Doors open and close. I hear several clicking sounds and then a steady beeping.
What the fuck am I doing?
I scream around the gag and start shaking my head to get the sack off. I bump around and struggle until I’m up on my knees. They have my arms tied around my back and at my ankles. Once I’m off my side, I’m able to use the back of the seats to rub the sack off my head, and I shake my hair out of my eyes to look around.
I stop for a second to listen around me.
I sit on my ass and wiggle my body through my arms to get them back in front of me. I start working the knots of the rope on my ankles. As soon as my feet are free, I pull the gag out of my mouth and use my teeth on the next set of ropes.
I rub my wrist and frown in thought.
“That was too easy.” I start looking for a trunk release when the beeping noise distracts me.
“Oh my God,” my heart skips.
They were never worried about me getting out of the ropes because that’s not my real prison. The SUV is.
I’m trapped inside with a bomb.
I find a latch, and the back seat falls forward. I crawl through and look out the windows. FUCK!
“No, no, no,” I glance at my watch, and it’s dead.
I’m afraid to open the doors, not knowing what will trigger the explosive device. I look around, hoping someone is outside, but everything is quiet. I stare at the front doors of the clubhouse, praying someone comes outside and dreading it because I don’t want to put anyone else in danger.
I bring my knees up to my chest. I have no choice but to wait. The beeping grows louder in the silence.
I never thought I’d wish to be deaf again so much.
* * *
Asher
“How long before he gets here?” I look from Wolf to Abel as I pace the room.
“As soon as the update completes, I’ll track Xander.” I roll my eyes at him.
He’s been meaning to come up to Reno to install the latest version of his fucking AI.
“Done,” she types into his computer as the lights flicker.
“System restored. Unknown vehicle detected in front yard.” ARIA says too loudly.
“FUCK, she’ll watch the whole neighborhood.” Wolf groans.
“Adjusting volume, hang on. Xander just landed. They’re fifteen minutes out.” Abel frowns at his screen.
“What?” I come around to look at what he’s seeing.
“We don’t need to find Aspen.” He zooms in on the window of a black SUV parked in the lot outside.
“What the fuck? Why wouldn’t she come in?” I’m rushing for the front door before Wolf gets an answer.
Something doesn’t feel right. She looks scared. I haven’t seen that look on her face since she got her implants.
I pull open the front door and rush to the SUV. As soon as she sees me coming, she frantically starts banging on the window and screaming. I slow down as I see tears running down her face. I can’t hear her well, so I bring my hands up and sign to her.
