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"Sweetie, do you need anything?" I ask Sera once she's finished her breakfast.
"No, I'm okay, Auntie Es. I just have to get my bag. Auntie Effie is taking me and Ruby to school."
"Excellent," I breathe. I watch as she dances out of the kitchen to get her school bag.
"I've got her now, Es," Ef says. "You get off to work. I'll see you this evening."
I say goodbye to everyone, promising Serafina that I'll be back tonight and will read another story to her. She gives me a toothy grin and follows me to the door.
"Bye, Auntie Es," she calls out.
"Bye, sweetie. Be good for Effie. I'll see you this evening."
She nods, her head bobbing up and down as she does. "Bye," she says again, waving goodbye as I climb into my car.
I turn on the car radio as I make my way through the clubhouse gates. The prospect smiles at me as I pass by him.
The traffic isn't as bad as it usually is this time of day, and I'm glad. There's nothing worse than having to sit in standstill traffic. I sing along to the music, a smile on my face. I'm happy. I don't think I've felt truly content like this in a long time. Being with Grayson was unexpected. It was never meant to be anything other than sex. But I'm so glad it evolved into what it has. I love him. It's crazy to think that I've fallen in love with him in such a short space of time, but the man made it easy. He never held anything back. He's always made me feel loved and beautiful.
I stop at a red light and take the time to check my cell. I undo my seat belt, reach over into my purse, and quickly send Gray a text message. He was in the shower when I was leaving. I let him know that I'm almost at the school and I'll call him during lunch. I grin when he responds.
Grayson: Talk to you later, honey.
There's nothing better than him calling me honey. The way his rough voice says it never fails to send shivers down my spine. I throw my cell back into my purse. As I reach for my seatbelt, my door opens. I release a startled gasp and turn, my pulse racing as I stare at a man in a black hoodie. He’s got dark brown eyes, and he's glaring at me.
"Get out," he snarls. "Get the fuck out."
I'm frozen with fear, the seatbelt falling from my hand. "W—What?" I stutter. "Please," I whisper. "Leave me alone."
He reaches behind him, and I release a scream as he holds a gun in front of me. "Get the fuck out of the car," he snaps.
My entire body begins to tremble. The fear I have has me in a chokehold. I can't move. I can't speak. I'm numb and scared. I want to call Grayson, but I can't. My cell's in my purse.
Think, Esme. Think!
I reach for the steering wheel, my foot moving to the gas pedal. I need to get out of here.
His face contorts with anger as he reaches for me. His fingers curl into my hair and he pulls me, his grip strong as he drags me from my car. I land on my back with a thud. Pain radiates from the spot I landed on, but the fucker hasn't finished with me. He drags me across the ground, and I cry out as the hem of my blouse rises and my back grazes along the asphalt. I twist and kick against his hold on me, but fuck, his fingers have such a deft grip that I'm unable to get him to release me.
"What do you want?" I scream at him.
I'm angry. Cars are zipping by us, none of them stopping to help. No one gives a shit. They're so wrapped up in themselves, needing to get to work. I thought this was a carjacking. I thought he wanted my car. But if he did, he'd have taken it by now. Instead, he's dragging me to the truck that's behind us. I continue to kick and twist, doing everything I can to try and get away from him, but it's no use. He's too damn strong for me. I can't get free of his hold.
"Fuck," he snarls as I reach up and start to claw at his hand that has my hair in a vice-like grip. I manage to get his arm, where the gloves don't cover. I do it over and over again until he can no longer hold me. He releases me with such force my head snaps backward and slams against the ground. Stars dance along my vision as darkness crowds in. My breath is taken from me in one fell swoop. God, it's so fucking painful.
"You stupid cunt," he snarls as he twists the gun in his hand. He lifts it up and brings it down on my temple. I slump to the ground, unable to keep my eyes open any longer as the abyss takes me.
* * *
My temples pound with a throbbing pain. I wince as I try to open my eyes, then instantly close them as brightness coming through a window hits me. I try to lift an arm but notice they're tied behind my back. I pull against the bindings but it's no use. They just tighten against my skin, causing it to chafe as I twist my wrist. Fuck.
What the hell is going on and where the hell am I?
"You're awake," I hear a low voice say. "It's good to see you again, Esmerelda."
I blink through the pain as my eyes adjust to the sunlight and stare at the frail man who’s aged a lot since the last time I saw him. He's lost a lot of weight too. So much so, his face is gaunt-looking and his eyes are sunk into their sockets. He's got a cane that seems to be helping him stand.
"Mr. Jacobson," I say, my words a little slurred. "What have you done?"
