Page 10 of These Deadly Vows

“Th-thank you.” I accept his hand, too stunned to say much else in the moment.

Motionless, I stand before this avenging dark angel while he puts my soiled clothing back in place.

“Did my father send you?”

A chuckle erupts from his throat. One that holds no humor.

“Answer me,” I demand on a shout, fighting the urge to stomp my foot like a child. “What are you doing here?”

“You aren’t asking the right questions,” he mutters.

“Why did you save me?”

“All in due time. We’ve gotta go.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. Where’s my father?” I stare at this brutal man as the moon burns bright, casting a glow around him well enough that I can see he’s a biker, judging by his black leather vest covered in patches.

“Alive, if that’s what you’re asking. For now, at least.”

A cold shiver moves down my spine and I shudder at what his words imply. He’s not a friend of my father. That much I know. I’ve overheard conversations about territory disputes. Is that what this is about?

“Are you going to kill me?” I manage to spit out in a whisper, though I’m not as afraid as I should be.

I don’t know this man. But I have enough sense to know he’s dangerous.

“Not yet. Not until I get what I want.”

“And what is that?”

“Your father took something from me. I’m here to reclaim what’s mine.”

I nod. I guess that’s fair enough. Maybe he will find what he came for and leave without further damage. There is one silver lining. This stranger did solve my Roberto issue. Now I no longer have to marry him.

“What did he take? Maybe I can help.”

His lips lift as if he may smile. I’m not sure what’s so amusing about the offer. “Everything, Adeline. He took everything.”

The room temperature seems to drop as he stares at me, waiting for me to connect the dots.

“Let’s go.” He wraps a bloody hand around my upper arm, and I have too much self-preservation left in me to attempt to fight him. He took out Roberto in seconds. What would he do to me if I resisted?

A demand for ransom will be made.

My father will pay to ensure my return.

Covered in Roberto’s blood, I’m thrown into the back of an SUV that blends in with the other cars lining the driveway. Duct tape over my mouth and plastic ties secured around my wrist and ankles. I’m a Dateline Friday Night Special Report in the making.

The man stealing me from my room snaps a photograph with my own cell phone. I’m assuming to send as proof of life to my father to start negotiations. I’m lucky to be alive.

I can only pray that this man keeps me that way by the time this is all over.

There have been other attempts to kidnap me in the past, none never made it this far.

No one has ever made it past the gate.

Now I’m being driven through it.

Taken captive by a man I have no reason to trust.

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