Page 33 of Captured

Emily

As I tried to open my eyes, I was struck immediately by the hard pounding of my head, the ache bad enough I was queasy. Blinking, I tried to make out anything in the room, but it was so dark, so very dark. Where was I? I tried to think about what I remembered. I was in my room and…

The flood of images rushing into my mind was as horrifying as the realization that I’d been abducted from my home. What the hell was going on? Terror ripped through me and only then did I realize one arm was shackled over my head. Oh, God. I fought to roll over, trying to untie whatever was holding me in place but it was no use.

My captor had used handcuffs.

A strangled whimper left my mouth even though I did what I could to keep the sound muffled. The last thing I wanted was for the bastard to hear me. For a few seconds, I concentrated on breathing, using my other hand to feel out where I was. I was on a bed in a dark room. That was about all the information I could gather other than the sheets were soft and my feet were bare.

I slipped my hand under the covers, terrified I’d been violated for a second time, but my clothes remained on. Although I was now wearing what felt like a dress. What? The asshole had taken the time to change my clothes? Who did that kind of thing?

I was so terrified that all I could do was lie in the same position, the horrible thoughts racing through my mind inventing all kinds of dangerous things. The monster had claimed me. I belonged to him.

My throat threatened to close, my entire body shaking from fear and sickness. What had the asshole given me and how long had I been out? I was shaking all over, fighting the rapid breathing for fear of having a panic attack. That wasn’t going to help the situation in any way. So much of me wanted to cry but what good would that do, other than add to his likely satisfaction that he’d succeeded in slowly breaking down my defenses. The ugly truth would haunt me until the day I died.

I toyed with the devil, and he’d won. It was plain and simple.

And I was a very foolish girl.

He’d stalked and captured his prey, just like I’d known he was going to do all along. Why hadn’t I told someone?

Because they wouldn’t have believed you.

Or cared.

Another wave of nausea almost had me leaning my head over the side, retching onto the floor. While that would serve the son of a bitch right, I refused to give the asshole the satisfaction that he’d gotten to me in any way. My father had to be looking for me by now. Wasn’t he?

Would he bother to care about what happened to his own daughter? A rattled whimper rolled into my throat. I couldn’t believe I was thinking that way. Of course my father would care what happened.

Another sickening series of images rushed into my mind of seeing Jessup and Carson. Dead. They were dead. Oh, God. How could this happen?

Why had he done this? What had I ever done to him? Maybe this was all about one of my father’s enemies. That made sense. Or was this about ransom since my father was a gazillionaire? Whatever the case, I had to keep my wits about me so if I talked to my father, I could provide clues as to where I was being held and who was behind the abduction.

I laid in the dark for another five minutes before the panic really started to settle in.

I fought with the bindings once again before realizing light had suddenly illuminated where I was. As I turned my head, I noticed his large frame just inside the door. He was no longer wearing a hoodie. From what I could tell, he had a suit on. I did what I could to shrink back, sucking in and holding my breath.

He just stood there staring at me, his silhouette filling the doorway. He had to be at least six foot five with massive shoulders. They were so broad I wasn’t certain how he could fit through the door, any door. From where I was, he didn’t seem like a monster, even if I couldn’t see his face.

Oh, what did I know about monsters? Other than my father.

“Who are you?” I croaked. “Why did you take me? I need to go home.”

“You’re awake, my sweet angel. I was becoming worried. But I will say that you’re in no position to make a single demand.”

His deep baritone was like soft velvet, but I wasn’t fooled by the tenderness in his voice. “You did this to me. Why? Why?” I rattled the handcuff, fighting it with everything I had, allowing the anger to take over from the fear.

“Because I decided your life was worth saving.”

The statement was one I hadn’t expected. “What does that mean?”

He took a step inside the room and I recoiled as much as possible. But his scent floated toward me, a musky fragrance mixed with a hint of the deep forest. Still, the man repulsed me as he should.

“That means someone wanted you dead.”

“That’s crazy. How would you know something like that?”

Remaining quiet, he walked further into the room, taking his time heading to the bed. When he sat down on the edge, I scooted as far away from him as possible. He sighed in response. “Because I was approached by some bad men to end your beautiful life.”

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