Page 40 of Deadly Vows

“We’re almost there,” Danny said, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. His smile was soft as if he thought this was some kind of romantic gesture instead of a kidnapping. “I’ve found us the perfect place. Just wait till you see it.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t trust my voice not to tremble. Instead, I focused on the street, which narrowed into a dead-end, secluded and quiet. Only two other houses stood along the road, both modest and well-kept, but there were no cars in the driveways, or lights on inside. My pulse quickened as we approached the last house at the end of the street.

It was a small, single-story house with white siding and a neatly trimmed lawn, just like the others in the neighborhood. From the outside, it looked so normal. Too normal. Nothing about it hinted at the horror I felt creeping under my skin.

Danny slowed the car to a stop and turned off the engine. He glanced at me again in the mirror, his eyes gleaming excitedly. “You’re going to love it here,” he said, grabbing the gun and tucking it into the waistband of his jeans before stepping out of the car.

My heart pounded like a drum as he walked around to my side, opening the door and yanking me out with a rough grip on my arm. I stumbled, but I forced myself to stay upright.

“Come on,” Danny urged, pulling me toward the house. His grip was tight and possessive. I scanned the street, hoping for some sign of a neighbor, someone who might see what was happening and call for help, but there was no one. The other houses were silent, their blinds drawn. The whole street felt deserted.

As we reached the front door, Danny fumbled with the lock, still holding me tightly with one hand. The door creaked open, and he shoved me inside, the sound of the lock clicking behind us.

The house was small and unassuming. The front room was plain, with a simple couch and a TV in the corner, and the walls were painted a dull beige. I could tell from the smell they were painted recently. But it was far from welcoming. The windows were covered by thick curtains, barely letting in any light, covering everything in shadows.

Danny shoved me toward the couch, and I fell onto it awkwardly, my bound hands making it impossible to steady myself. He stood before me, smiling as if we were just an ordinary couple settling into a cozy evening at home.

“See?” he said, his voice full of pride. “It’s perfect, right? It’s just the two of us here, away from everyone else. No one will bother us. No one can find us.” His eyes drifted to my stomach, and his smile widened. “It’s perfect for when the baby comes.”

I swallowed hard, trying to calm my voice, even as my pulse raced. “Danny, you have to understand, this baby isn’t yours.”

He cut me off, his face twisting with anger as he grabbed my neck, his grip too tight. “Don’t you dare lie to me, Talia! I know it’s mine. Iknowit.“ His eyes flashed dangerously, thegentleness from earlier gone. “You and I...we were meant to be together. This baby is proof of that.”

I swallowed, my throat dry. “Danny, I’m telling you the truth. The baby is Aleksandr’s. He’s the father.”

For a long moment, he said nothing and stared at me with manic eyes. I could see the war raging in his mind, delusion fighting against reality. And then, without warning, he stood up, towering over me, his entire demeanor shifting to something darker, something far more dangerous.

“No.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “No, you’re lying. You’retryingto lie to me. But I won’t let you do that.“ He pulled something out of his pocket, and my blood turned to ice. A knife, small but sharp, gleamed in the low light.

I froze, my words catching in my throat.

“You’re not taking my baby away from me,” he hissed, stepping closer, the blade glinting as he raised it. “I’ll cut it out of you if I have to. I won’t let you run back to Aleksandr withmychild.”

A strangled sob escaped me as I instinctively turned my back toward him, trying to protect the life inside me. My mind raced, screaming at me to stay calm, to think of something-anything-that could stop this from escalating.

“Danny, please,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Please don’t hurt me. Don’t hurt the baby.”

He loomed over me, his chest heaving with labored breaths. His eyes were glazed, the knife still poised in his hand. I realized then that reasoning with him wasn’t going to work. I had to play along if I wanted to survive. I had to make him believe.

“I’m telling the truth,” I whispered, my voice shaky but soft. “Danny, I—“

He cut me off with a growl, stepping closer to me. “Stop lying to me,” he hissed.

“Okay,” I said quickly. “Okay, Danny. You’re right.”

His green eyes bore into me, his breath ragged, searching for any hint of deceit. I swallowed, forcing the words out.

“I was just scared. I didn’t know how to tell you. I thought Aleksandr would be angry. But you’re right, Danny. The baby... it’s yours.”

He kept staring at me, his breathing heavy, his grip on the knife tightening as if he wasn’t sure whether to believe me. My heart raced, but I knew I had to keep going. I had to make him believe.

“I was just scared,” I repeated, my voice softer now, trying to sound sincere. “That’s why I said it was his. I didn’t want him to hurt us. I didn’t know how to protect you.”

Danny’s face softened slightly as if trying to make sense of what I was saying. “You’re telling the truth?”

“Yes,” I whispered, the lie twisting in my gut. “I’m yours, Danny. We’re going to be a family.” I held his gaze, forcing myself to stay calm, to not flinch, even though every instinct in my body screamed to run.

Finally, after what seemed like an excruciatingly long time, he lowered the knife completely, his shoulders sagging with relief. “I knew it,” he murmured, more to himself than to me. “I knew you loved me.” His eyes glistened, the madness inthem simmering down into something even more dangerous - delusional happiness.

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