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Most monsters fed off fear; maybe Derek did the same because he wouldn’t get any from me. The hinges cried out when the door opened and Derek walked inside. Quietly, he walked over, squatted, and unlocked my chains.
Carefully, like a prized possession, he helped me up with a firm grip on my upper arm and ushered me out of the room. I made eye contact with Melody, giving her a reassuring smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
The fluorescent lighting swung low over us, drawing shadows against the walls as we neared two industrial double doors at the end. Derek glanced down at me from the corner of his eye and smirked. “You don’t look scared, Josie.”
Thank God,because I felt it—deep down in my bones, I felt it.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
Derek opened the doors and brought me into an empty industrial building toward a small office that sat in the corner.
He shoved me into the room, locking it behind him and gesturing toward a foldout chair in front of a plastic dining table. He took a seat across from me, leaning back without a worry in the world.
“Why is that?” he asked.
I glanced up from the dirty tile floor to his dark gaze. “Why is what?”
He leaned forward, both elbows braced on the table in front of him. “Why aren’t you scared?”
The fact that my lack of fear interested him told me Derek was either a sociopath or a psychopath. It didn’t matter to me either way, because they both scared me.
“I hope it isn’t because you think Maverick is going to save you,hmm?” he asked with a smirk.
Instead of indulging in his sick fantasy or game, I asked, “Why am I out here?”
“We’re about to feed you,” he said, checking his watch.
Is someone late? Who is he working with?“Aren’t you going to invite the other girls?”
Derek chuckled. “The other girls haven’t been bought, Sweet Josie.”
I’ve been bought. Like a piece of merchandise.I swallowed my fear, meeting Derek’s gaze with little emotion. As if I didn’t care, I picked at my cuticles, ignoring the shiver crawling down my spine at his laugh.
“I’m going to miss you,” he said sweetly. “The gallery and class have been quiet since you disappeared on me. Didn’t want a kiss, huh?” he asked. “Maverick got you wrapped around his finger that much? You’re the first, ya know. The first one that didn’t fall for me.”
“You’re old,” I blurted out. “And not as charming as you think you are.”
The corner of Derek’s eye twitched, and I bit my bottom lip in an attempt to steady my nerves. I wasn’t sure provoking him was wise, but at this point, I wanted to tear him down in anyway I could.
Derek stood up suddenly, his chair flew back against the wall and he pulled out his phone to check it. A vein I’d never noticed in his forehead throbbed.
He dialed someone's number but didn't speak when I heard a voice on the other end.
Irritation crawled all over his features, from his frown to his furrowed brows and tightened posture.
“Looks like Bite Squad couldn’t find the place,” I said sarcastically.
Derek eyed me before locking me into the room and walking toward a door in the far corner of the garage. I didn’t bother trying the door handle, I watched as he disappeared outside and into the night.
Maybe whoever was in charge of bringing the food wouldn’t come, and I’d have some time alone, without him. The silence that followed drew all my anxiety to my palms and I began to sweat.Where is he? What happened?
I raced toward the door and rattled the handle with no luck. Running my fingers through my tangled hair, I took a deep breath. Then the door opened and Derek walked inside, palms raised, anger sketched across his face with a trail of blood running down his head.
Confused, I watched him walk into the room further, followed by India. My breathing stopped, I couldn’t connect the dots as to why she was there.Did she come with Maverick?Had she figured it out?
Then Maverick walked in behind her, shoving her in the back with a bat that he let hang loosely from his palm, his eyes searched the room and fell on me within seconds. The cry I’d bit down bubbled up my throat and I braced my palm over my trembling mouth.
“Maverick,” I whispered.
