“Pretty much,” she says as she stands tall and moves to the doorway. I join her and then she’s gesturing for us to move out. I only really have her guidance to go by at this point, so I follow and stay alert. I watch behind us, my head constantly turning as Zoey takes us back to the stairs.
She points and I pray that we get up there undetected.
We move as quickly and as quietly as we can. We’re so fucking open right now, and I don’t like it. It’s just asking for trouble.
We’re halfway up when I hear a voice come from the top.
“Well, well, well…” Oh Christ, we’ve been caught. This is it. Shit. “What have you got to say for yourself?”
I gulp and look up, because if I am about to die then I at least want to lock eyes with my maker. But to my surprise, there’s no one there. Zoey looks back at me and shrugs before we move again, managing to get to the top.
Another long hallway. Brilliant. No hiding places except for the rooms on either side, and she could be in any one of them.
“So you gave me up and told them where to come?” the voice says, and my heart literally tries to pound its way out of my chest.
Footsteps start to come from behind, but there is no way we can turn around now, we’re in too deep.
“Shit,” I say as Zoey starts to jog, the quietness of our footsteps forgotten as we hurry to try and get to the other end and away from whoever is behind us. They’re running too now, and my heart is racing, my lungs burning for air as we tear our way along. And just when we’re about to reach the end, two men appear from a room to the right, and within seconds, I’m clamped against one of them, their hands immobilising me as they wrap their arms around. I struggle, I squirm, and I kick my feet, but this guy is strong, and I know that I am not getting free.
“Let go of me, you asshole,” Zoey says from behind, but I know that is no use. There’s no point in fighting. No point in yelling. We came here and now we just have to ride this out, and hopefully, we get to live at the end of it.
I’m taken back to the halfway point of the hallway, and then through a door on my left. And there, standing by the window still, is Jessica.
She has no expression on her face as she stares at me, the hatred clear in her eyes.
I’m taken to the side of the room where there are chains attached to the wall.
“No,” I whisper as I try to do anything to get free, but when I feel the chains clamp around my wrists, I know it’s too late. They don’t bother with my feet, but then why would they? I’m not getting out of these cuffs anytime soon.
“Zoey,” Jessica says, as if this is a friendly meet. “What a surprise.” Her voice is high-pitched, and I don’t know whether she’s putting it on whether that’s actually how she sounds.
“Quite,” Zoey replies, no cheer to her voice whatsoever.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Jessica asks as she stays where she is, her arms folded over her chest.
“Oh, you know, just thought it would be good to catch up,” Zoey says, and I clench my teeth as Jessica laughs. It’s a sound akin to fingernails on a chalkboard. Jesus, how the hell did Nate ever work with this woman? Her voice and laugh alone would have driven me nuts.
“Don’t tell me you miss me?”
“Cut the bullshit, Jessica. We both know I came here to end you.” Zoey cuts straight to it, no beating around the bush.
“And you brought along a treat,” Jessica says as she walks forward and then stops just out of kicking reach. The two guys that grabbed us guard the door, and I bet there are more shady bastards lurking around the place. This woman doesn’t strike me as someone who would be left with just a couple of minions. She knows what Nate is like, she knows his world, and she knows to protect herself. Although, I don’t know if there would be enough protection in the world to stop Nate if she hurts either of us.
“So, you’re the one he chose,” she ponders as she looks me up and down. “Cute, but that’s probably where it ends.”
Zoey scoffs and I pray that she keeps her mouth shut so I can try and get a read on this bitch.
“Tell me, does it feel good to fuck what belongs to me?” she asks, cocking her head to the side slightly.
I don’t answer her. She wants a reaction, and I will be damned if I give her one.
“Hmm. Shy, are we? Of course you’re not, otherwise you wouldn’t have come here, so stop playing stupid games and answer me,” she says, but again, I say nothing.
Come on, Nate, please get here. Please.
“He’s a fine specimen of a man, huh?” she continues as I bite my tongue. “Rock hard abs, thick thighs, and the best ass I’ve ever seen.”
Okay, so bunny boiler it is. She’s got it bad, and she’s clearly unhinged, so I’m guessing that whatever pain she is planning to inflict on me is going to be bad.
