Page 21 of Sebastian

“Suits. I thought we just said goodnight to each other.”

“Sprinkles.” His voice had the most delicious late-night gravelly tone and she swallowed, trying to focus on what he was saying, rather than what her mind was hoping he’d say. “I think enough time has passed. Are you willing to agree to that second date now?”

“How about I let you know the next time you come in to the bakery?”

“I’ll see you in a few hours, then.”

“Goodnight, Sebastian,” Emma laughed.

“Goodnight, Emma. Sweet dreams.”

She tucked her phone back into her purse, taking a few steps towards her apartment while her gaze was still locked on her bag. When she looked up, the hair on the back of her neck stood up and a shiver tore through her body. From the end of the hallway, she could see that the door to her apartment was slightly ajar. Emma’s heart pounded in between her ears. There was no way she forgot to close and lock it before she left.

She knew she shouldn’t go in, she knew it was a stupid choice to make. Just back out and call 9-1-1, that’s what she needed to do. But when her eyes caught a glimpse of her destroyed apartment, her feet took her forward into the space instead of away.

The apartment was a mess. Her heart dropped into her stomach as she took it all in. Dishes ripped from the cupboards, smashed into a million pieces on the floor. Slash marks cut into every inch of the fabric of her couch, causing the stuffing to bulge out. The rushing of blood pounded between her ears as she eyed the wall above her sofa. Someone left a message for her in bright red paint. It had her running to the kitchen sink as bile rose in her throat.

YOU’RE MINE.

Her stomach emptied in violent spasms. Emma stood, wiping the corners of her mouth with the back of her arm, when the sound of her door closing startled her. She ran to the living room, looking at the exit.

A searing pain radiated through her scalp as her head was forcefully pulled backwards. Muscular arms wrapped around her chest and neck, dragging her across the living room and into her bedroom. Emma kicked, trying everything in her power to connect with the soft flesh of the intruder.

Unable to get free, she fought to drag in a breath and let out a fierce scream. It was so late, and the shops would be empty, but maybe someone was walking out on the sidewalk and would hear. Maybe Sebastian was still out there. She had to try. The next thing she knew, her head was flying into the wall, black spots dancing in her vision. Her body went limp. No matter how much her brain told her body to move, her muscles just wouldn’t listen.

The intruder, who had a black mask pulled down over his face, threw Emma onto her bed. He pinned her down on her mattress, his hips grinding against hers. She could feel his arousal pressing into her belly and tears welled in her eyes.

“The boss told me to bring you to him, but he didn’t say I couldn’t have some fun before I did. This dress is really doing it for me.” The man’s disgusting, hot breath washed over her, nausea once again bubbling in her stomach. He pulled on the straps, breaking one clear off her shoulder and exposing her breast.

She needed a weapon. Her eyes frantically darted around her room.

Bingo.

If she could just reach over to her nightstand, she’d be able to launch the lamp into the side of his head.

The man lifted both hands off of her and worked to pull himself free from his pants. Emma didn’t think. She punched out at the man’s crotch, a groan of surprise and pain doubling him over. Her hips wiggled back and forth, furiously trying to pull herself out from under the dead weight.

“You bitch!” he wheezed, cupping his crotch with his hands. She watched as he moved one hand down, pulling a switchblade from his pocket. Excitement flashed in his eyes as he brought the knife down, slashing through her dress and across her thigh. The searing pain only made her want to fight harder. Don’t think about the blood, please don’t think about it. Her stomach flipped and lurched, but she pushed the injury out of her mind and fought again. She wouldn’t let him take her to whoever the hell had sent him. She’d rather die.

Rolling with all her might, Emma made it within reach of her lamp. She yanked as hard as she could; her fear swelling until she felt the plug pull free from the socket in the wall. Without hesitation, she brought the ceramic down against the man’s head. Relief flooded her body as the man slumped over, unconscious.

Emma didn’t hesitate, she just ran like hell to get out of her bedroom. Her purse was still on the floor by the door where she had dropped it earlier, but she didn’t stop to think. She just scooped it up as she ran from the apartment. Her feet hit the pavement, and Emma flew across the road. There was no need to worry about traffic at that time of night. Everyone was probably asleep, except for Sebastian, she hoped. It had only been a matter of minutes since they’d said goodnight to each other.

She needed to put some distance between herself and the giant man she’d just subdued. The cool air rushed past her as a strong breeze passed down the road. The buildings in front of her began to swim as she frantically tried to find some place to hide.

Running into the alley next to Montgomery Equities, Emma ducked down between the dumpsters and pulled her phone from her bag. Her eyes took too long to focus, the awareness setting in that she probably suffered a concussion when her head slammed against the wall. The phone shook in her hand so violently the only thing she could do was hit redial.

A deep, confident voice picked up after the second ring. “Are you going to spoil the surprise for tomorrow and tell me yes early, Sprinkles?”

“S-Seb…” she whispered.

“Emma?” The worry in his voice showed he caught the distress in hers. “Christ, what’s wrong?”

“H-help.” Dizziness won out, and she slumped down the brick wall, still hidden by the dumpsters.

“Are you in your apartment? What’s going on?”

“N-next to your building, b-behind the dumpster. I-I’ll explain.”

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