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Seth may have been able to convince me it was my fault once upon a time, but that time has long since passed. I know who I am now, I know what I’m worth.
“Always so goddamn emotional, you women are.” He grumbles. “You see, fucking Brie was insurance.” I wince, the image of their bodies moving together flashing into my mind. “It wasn’t my idea but I couldn’t say no. Like I said, it was just work. Meant nothing.” Seth stops talking and I find myself desperate to know, needing closure if nothing else.
“Why?” I whisper, my voice distorted from lack of use. Seth’s eyes light up as he finally gets a reaction out of me.
Leaning forward, he braces his arms on his knees. “Why?” He repeats. “Because she stumbled onto something she shouldn’t have.” He pauses, clasping his hands together. “I suppose much like you did. Except she didn’t have a murdering shadow following her around.” My eyes widen, wondering how much Seth actually knows. He chuckles humorlessly. “Yeah, I know all about your boy toy and his little hero act. He was sloppy and will get his own soon enough, I’ll make sure of that.” I shudder at the excitement shining in his eyes. Focusing back on me, his glee dies off. “Anyway, Brie walked in on one of mybusinessconversations with Kristoph.” My stomach recoils. Verbal confirmation of my fear he had been doing this the entire time we were together makes me feel sick. Caught up in his story, Seth rattles on. “You see, after that we had to make sure Brie wouldn’t say anything, so I was sent to get some collateral. You were never meant to know, Paige. And then the bitch blasts on the Internet that her and I are not only together butengaged?” Seth glowers, dropping his hands and leaning back. “Not to worry, though. She’s been taken care of for her part in this.”
My head swims as the oxygen in the room escapes. Breathlessly, I whisper, “What did you do to her?” I’m still hurt by my former friend, but concern outweighs the pain.
It sounds like…
A sinister grin spreads across his face. “OhIdidn’t do anything.” He allows the heaviness of the implication to hang in the air before continuing. “We’ll just say she won’t be getting between us. Ever again.” He snickers.
My vision clouds as I stare at the merciless face before me. Guilt punching into me as I’m reminded of all the times I wished harm and death on the two of them.
Seth’s right about one thing, I should have waited for an explanation, just not his.
My heart hurts as I realize Brie knew what she was doing. On at least some level she must have known what it would mean for her. A part of me wonders if she did it for me, so I could move on and not suffer the same fate she had by stumbling on something I shouldn’t.
A new resolve fills me, bolstering my regained confidence.
I am going to make it out of this fucking basement. I’m going to escape and then I’m going to destroy the man who caused all the needless pain. For me and for Brie.
“You’re going to regret this Seth.” I promise, my voice even and assured.
He scoffs, pushing to his feet. “Oh yeah? You really think so? Because from what I can tell, the only one with regrets is you.” Seth stalks up the stairs and latches the door, plunging me into darkness again.
I carefully grab the bottle of water and granola bar from the tray. Bracing my hand on the wall, I slide around the room, seeking out a safe spot. Relief fills me when I locate a shelf with something resting on top. My exploring fingers roam over the object. It feels like a small vase, large enough for what I need. Shoving down the crumpled bar and pouring the water into the neck, I resume my search. My hand grasps the trash tightly, knowing I’ll need it.
I fumble around in the dark, my free hand roaming over anything I can reach. Laughter bubbles up as my fingers curl around something small enough to fit in my palm but sharp enough I can feel it slice into my skin. Ignoring the pain radiating from my cut palm, I make my way back toward the space below the stairs. I place the trash down on the tray, curl my fingers around the small treasure, and lay down. Closing my eyes, I even out my breath and mimic sleep, waiting for Seth to return.
You’re right, Seth. You won’t have any regrets. You can’t have them if you’re no longer breathing.
It feels like an eternity that I lay there, keeping my breaths even. The nervous anticipation humming through my veins increases when I hear a familiar creak. My fingers tighten as I force my eyes to stay shut.
Seth makes his way down the stairs, stopping over me. He breathes heavily as I hear the clinking of metal followed by a zipping sound. I push back the panic as my fears are confirmed. Remaining motionless, I can hear Seth fumbling with his jeans before kneeling next to me. His fingers go to the hem of the soiled dress, shoving the material up. My heart beats wildly as he grips my hips and readjusts my body, giving him access to my sex.
Oblivious to the fact I’m not drugged, he grips his cock and lines it up with my entrance. My fingers move carefully, slipping the sharp edge of the object in my hand so it’s facing inward. Seth moves his head over mine and leans down, pressing his lips against mine as he shoves inside.
I cry out at the intrusion, driving the object into his cheek at the same time. Seth roars and flings himself back, landing on his heels. I catch a glimpse of metal, the makeshift weapon piercing through his mouth.
Not wasting a second, I scramble upright and fly up the stairs on my bare feet. I can hear Seth’s cries behind me as I race toward freedom. Reaching the doorway, I sprint through and fling the door shut a moment before a heavy body crashes against it.
With trembling fingers, I slide the first lock into place followed by the second. Seth pounds against the door, screaming curses at me. I slump against the wood and collapse to the ground, tears leaking soundlessly down my face. I don’t move, unable to muster the energy.
I escaped. I’m safe.
For now.
Chapter 34
Mick
“Useless piece of shit.” I snarl, jabbing my finger against the small screen.
It’s been weeks since I spoke with Paige. Weeks.
The location app continues to blink, showing the last location that Paige’s phone was active. Seth had chosen a smart spot to hide away, completely surrounded by woodland for hundreds of miles in any direction. I have spent every moment scouring the forest and continually come up empty. Jesse had tried to help me search but backed off shortly after I threatened to break his nose, opting to search separate areas after that.
