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Quinn
When I said I needed time away I didn’t mean this. I was more thinking of hiding out in my old apartment above my parents’ garage, not a dank basement.
The chain on my leg rattled with each movement, the cold metal digging into my skin. I was shivering, only dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. I’d lost my shoes somehow, and the cold floor stung my bare feet.
The last thing I remembered was taking a sip of my coffee, and then everything went hazy. And now I found myself sitting in the pitch-black, giving me no clue as to where I was or what happened.
My head throbbed, and my mouth tasted like bile. Had I thrown up but couldn’t remember? I was still half drunk and only had about three hours of sleep so anything was possible.
I ran my hands along the ground, deducing that I was sitting on a concrete floor. The chain didn’t reach far, allowing for minimal movement. The saying that things could always be worse was obviously true. I thought Liam lying to me and stringing me along was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. Guess the joke was on me.
How long have I been down here?My tongue felt thick, and I was dying for a sip of water.
Who would take me? And feel the need to chain me to the wall when, really, I pose a low flight risk?
As if my thoughts had conjured the boogeyman, footsteps stomped closer, and the door to my cell swung open with an ominous screech.
Two men entered, one waiting by the door holding a lantern, as the other approached me. They both wore ski masks, the low light casting the room in a horror-movie-worthy glow.
I met his gaze, my stubbornness winning out over my body’s need to shake like a leaf. “What do you want with me? Why did you take me? Where am I?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he said, sounding like a cheap villain. “And here I thought I was the one in charge.”
Lifting my chin, I resisted the urge to raise my voice. “You took me against my will, and I want to know why.”
“And I want the Olysses bastards to be dead. Yet here we are, neither of us getting what we want.”
He studied me, his lifeless eyes lingering on my breasts. I felt dirtier with each sweep of his gaze. He had a slight accent I couldn’t place, giving him even more of an edge.
My heart skipped all over the place, but not in an excited way. I was scared not only for my own life but also for Liam and his family.
Oh God, what if they took Freya as well?
Leaning closer, he closed his eyes, and took a shuddering inhale.Gross.“Strawberries.”
Shuffling back, I couldn’t help but cower. It hit me like a hammer to the head that I was completely at his mercy. He could do whatever he wanted with me, and there was nothing I could do to get away. I had no lock picking abilities, didn’t know how to fire a gun, and was a slow runner. My chances of escape were slim to nonexistent.
He was on his haunches, close enough that I could touch him if I reached out. Which meant he’d be able to do the same to me.
Another shudder racked my body. I stiffened, trying to play it off.
“Let’s talk,” he said, cocking his head at me. “How many men are at the Olysses mansion?”
“How would I know?”
“You were there not too long ago. I’m sure you saw things. Like cameras. Security details. Number of entrances.”
Letting out a disbelieving laugh, I shook my head. “I was there as a guest, not a spy. Why would I count exits or guards? And I’m sure it’s not news to you that there are cameras everywhere.”
Pulling out a knife, he grinned at me, looking one loose screw away from falling apart. My eyes were glued to every movement of his hand that was covered in a ridiculous chain-link tattoo.
“I was hoping you’d be difficult. Your skin will look much nicer with a few scars.”
His hand snapped out before I could get away, his fingers digging into my skin, breaking its surface. Ignoring the sting and trickles of blood, I struggled, but my attempts at pulling my arm away were fruitless. He was much stronger than I was. And I wouldn’t get far since I was chained to the wall.
Without warning, he sliced the knife along my arm, leaving a cut from my elbow down to my wrist.
Both of us watched the blood pooling instantly, then dripping to the ground.
