That’s assuming, of course, Jayden has realized by now that I have gone missing.
Two men enter. One fits Landon’s description of the man who attacked him.
The other man is significantly older and less muscular, with short gray hair. Even though it’s hot outside, he’s wearing a business suit. “Looks like Bernard was right. We get two for the price of one.”
I want to say something witty, but in moments like this, wit prefers to hide under the bed with the more desirable monsters.
Instead, horror freezes in my veins, reaching down to my bones. “Bernard? What does he have to do with this?”
He taps the side of his nose.
Great. Now we’re back in elementary school again when that was the sign for “None of your business.”
Fine, if he won’t answer that question, how about this one? “What are you planning to do with us?”
The truth is, I don’t give a rat’s ass what his goals are when it comes to us. I’m just hoping for some sort of long-winded monologue that villains always do in movies…but aren’t as obliging to do in real life.
“Where would the fun be if I tell you that now?” he asks with a chuckle that is closer to a giggle than a manly laugh.
His sidekick—who reminds me of a brick wall—doesn’t so much as crack a smile. Which is just as well. It would probably be more on the menacing side than the one that is warm and cuddly.
“I don’t know about that,” I say. “I’m sure the anticipation will only add to the excitement.” For him, anyway.
Keep talking, I mentally command him.
The gray-haired man—who I’m assuming is the boss of the duo—nods at The Brick Wall. “Okay, remove her from the table. Gently. No roughing up the merchandise.”
Merchandise? I don’t need a translation for that.
My eyes go wide at the meaning, and my heart rattles the bars of its cage.
A weird motorized sound starts up from somewhere under the table. The head of it begins raising until I’m upright, my arms stretched above my head, my feet on a platform.
The Brick Wall unfastens the shackles around my feet.
He stands and reaches to free my arms.
The moment the second metal cuff clicks open, releasing me, I bring my knee up between his legs. Hard.
29
Jayden
Blake is waitingfor me in the lobby. I don’t even have to ask if he’s seen Isabelle or Landon. I can see the answer on his face.
He nods at the box. “Is there any particular reason you’re still carrying that?”
“It’s Isabelle’s cake. She’ll kill me if anything happens to it. And I figured she’d want it as soon as I find her.” Plus that might distract her from sharing a huge piece of her mind when she notices I’m no longer wearing the damn sling.
“She loves her chocolate cake that much?”
“What do you think?”
That gets a snicker out of him. “Women!” he mutters.
We head out to the small building at the back of the property where some of the staff lives. And more specifically, where Landon is staying.
I knock on his door. He doesn’t answer.
