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“Who gave you permission to wear those things? Never put on such provocative and immodest footwear again! Nothing like that should ever sit on your feet unless I put them there. Do you understand?”
She narrowed her eyes. It wasn’t like he could expect her to answer.
He struck her across the face. “Do you understand?”
Clearly he did expect a reply.
Neil held up his fist, his face reddening even in the dim light.
Bella nodded. Not that she intended to comply.
She would either get away or they would kill her. Those were the only two options.
The last things she would ever do would be to marry him or return to her father’s household.
And she would fight for her life. Or die trying.
ChapterTwenty-Six
The van skidded to a stop, sending both Ariana and Bella flying forward, crashing into each other. It was almost a welcome change from the constant bumping up and down. They’d been on a gravel road for what felt like miles.
But now they weren’t moving.
It would be an ideal time to try and get away. Not that they could while tied with duct tape. They’d both been trying unsuccessfully to free themselves, but all attempts had been futile. Or at least Ari assumed her friend was having as little success as she was having.
Neil and Diego had removed the flashlight after tying Ariana, and the ride had been dark and silent since then. The two men had hardly said two words to each other, and neither had put on music.
Ari’s mind raced. Not only did she and Bella need to get free of their restraints, but they had to escape and find a way back home. There was no way to know where they were after all that driving. She only hoped Bella would recognize the location. Hopefully it was somewhere her dad had taken her before.
If so, they stood a chance at getting away. But even if she didn't know, Ariana would fight and run. This was hardly the first time she’d been taken to a remote location. Granted, when she was a kid her efforts hadn’t gotten her very far, but now she was an expert who taught personal protection techniques to others.
She had what it took to get her and Bella to safety.
Next to her, Bella squirmed.
Ariana waited.
Neither man had gotten out of the vehicle or spoken a word since stopping. What were they planning? Had Ariana’s presence altered their plans?
She would take any advantage she could get. But first she needed to remove the tape. Then she could fight. Until then, she was at their mercy.
And neither Neil nor Diego had any mercy to give. They didn’t care about Bella, so they definitely wouldn’t concern themselves with an outsider. Ariana might be the first one they decided to go after, intending to eliminate the unintended witness to their crimes. She needed to be prepared.
For anything.
It was anyone’s guess what awaited them outside the vehicle. Could be the entire cult standing in position with weapons. Or it could be nothing. Maybe they were going to dump Ariana in the middle of the woods to get rid of her so Neil could marry Bella without a struggle.
Nothing would surprise her.
Both men exited the van, slamming their respective doors. Muffled conversation sounded outside. They were moving, making it even harder to make out any words.
One thing was certain — their tones were serious. Deadly serious.
Ari’s heart raced, compounding her difficulty in eavesdropping, but also making her ready to fight back.
They would regret ever taking Bella from Ariana’s house.
A key slid into the keyhole near them. The doors flung open, allowing a little light inside. Wherever they were, it wasn’t raining, and the stars and moon provided faint illumination.
