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I’m so surprised I almost spit my food all over the place. “He’s your brother?”
“Yes, and we work together somehow. Some days, I’m pretty sure I made the biggest mistake of my life. But for the most part, it’s a very rewarding job.”
I don’t know why it matters. I don’t know why finding out she’s his sister and not his girlfriend makes me feel a little more relaxed. It shouldn’t. It doesn’t change anything, really.
“Did your brother tell you whether I’ll be able to leave today?”
Her lips twitch again. “Certain things, he keeps to himself. That’s one of them. I wish I could tell you more.”
I believe her. Some people say things like that but don’t really mean it. She seems sincere. “I’m just a little worried. I’m not complaining, really. But I didn’t tell my brother where I was going or why. As far as he knows, I disappeared. It’s got to be worrying him sick. But I can’t get a signal around here.”
“I see. Yes, that would worry me, too.” She taps her nails on the arm of the chair, pursing her lips while I gulp down some juice.
By the time I’ve emptied the bottle, she’s made up her mind. “Let’s keep this between us, okay?” She reaches into the inner pocket of her black blazer and pulls out a phone. “Make it quick. What’s his number?”
My pulse takes off at once, and even though I’d rather be able to call him on my phone, this is the next best thing. She hands it over once I’ve recited his number.Please, answer. This isn’t the time to start screening your calls.
For once, Jase does what I need him to do. “Hello?” I cringe when I hear the strain in his voice like he dreads what he might hear.
“It’s me. I’m okay. I’m safe, I’m fine.”
“Jesus Christ.” Now his voice is shaking. “You almost killed me, do you know that?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have a choice. But I really am okay. You don’t have anything to worry about.” I have to resist the impulse to look at Natalie, like I’m checking with her to see whether that’s true.
“Where are you calling from? Why can’t you answer your phone when I call you?”
“It’s a long story. Just trust me.”
“Sure.” He’s not a fan of the idea, but he has to know there’s no point in arguing. “Be careful, okay?”
“You, too.” I don’t feel comfortable saying more than that with an audience, so I end the call and hold the phone out to its owner. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Then she stands and straightens out nonexistent wrinkles in her skirt. “I’m sure my brother has already told you to make yourself at home, but let me reiterate. Whatever you need, just let us know.”
Considering the phone on the table didn’t work when I picked up the receiver, I have to wonder how I could get in touch with anybody, but I nod and force a smile anyway. She’s trying. She’s definitely more of a people person than her brother.
Now that I have some food in me, it’s easier to think. That’s what I need to do. I need to think. I need to figure out a way out of this. It’s so easy for Natalie to tell me to make myself comfortable and all that, but I’d bet anything she’s never been in a situation like this. Where all she has is questions, and she’s surrounded by a bunch of people who won’t give her any answers.
I spend a few more hours in the suit, weighing all my options. Someone brings me lunch, but I barely touch it, still being full from breakfast.
By the afternoon, I can’t take being cooped up here any longer. I am not going to sit here all day like somebody’s pet, waiting for the door to open and a visitor to walk in. No way. After I’ve practically licked the plates clean, I take a quick shower and dry off on ridiculously thick towels before trying on the clothes Natalie brought. The leggings are nice and stretchy, and they fit me well, while the T-shirt and hoodie are just oversized enough to make me feel cozy and warm. Maybe that was what she was going for. A way to offer a little comfort.
Once I’ve tied my shoes, I go straight to the door. My heart races, and I seriously wonder whether this is a good idea. Maybe I should hang back, watch some TV, and play it safe.
Where has playing it safe ever gotten me? Then again, I’m only here because I took a chance in the first place. Not like I had a choice. This time, the choice is mine, and I’m going to make it. My hand closes around the knob, and I take a deep breath through my nose and release it through my parted lips. Here goes nothing.
Just like last night, there’s no alarm or anything when I open the door. I look back over my shoulder toward the phone, then extend one leg and step out into the hallway. Silence. Nobody is waiting for me out here. No guard. No bogeyman ready to jump out at me.
I decide to take another step, then another. Every step I take away from the room leaves me feeling more confident than before, and before I know it, I’m in the elevator. I feel like I just got away with murder or something, and my trembling hand somehow manages to punch in the code I committed to memory. 3-5-1-8. Then I push the button for the lobby. Maybe I can make it out of here, after all.
When the car starts moving, I want to jump, scream, and cheer. It worked. Even if I can’t make it out of this strange hotel, I can at least look around and get a feel for where I am and what goes on around here. I descend one floor. Then another. Suddenly, the elevator stops, and so does my heart. What the fuck?
When it finally moves again, I’m going the wrong way, back up, dread slams into me. Ninth floor, tenth is where I came from, but the elevator goes up one more. The doors begin to slide open even though I didn’t tell them, and I press myself against the back corner of the car, expecting to see Mason glaring at me.
But nobody is there. The dimly lit hallway is empty. I don’t even know why I stopped if nobody pressed the button in the hall.
I’m still wondering what to do when out of nowhere, a scream pierces the silence, loud and blood-curdling, coming from down the hall. The sort of scream that makes all the hair on my body stand on end while my stomach clenches in horror. It sounded… pained. Terrified.
