Page 83 of Alluring

The doors began to part. She slipped out the instant she could fit and ran to the main elevators. A large crowd already waited to go down to the lobby. She moved into the elevator with them, and then exited with them in mass. She quickly jogged through the lobby, absently waving to a few people that greeted her and dashed out the doors that would take her to the SUV. She ran, clicking the button to unlock the car before reaching it, and threw open the door.

She climbed into the car, threw the fob in the cup holder and pushed the starter button. The SUV roared to life. She backed out of the slot and got the fuck out of dodge.

* * * * *

Jack was in the middle of listening to a business proposal, when his phone vibrated on the table. He looked down. Hank, Alexis's bodyguard was calling. He instantly became alert, a sick feeling overtaking his stomach.

"Excuse me a moment, gentleman." He stood from the table, answering his phone as his stepped from the conference room. "Jackson."

"Sir, there's been some unusual activity."

"Unusual how?" Jack said in a sharp-clipped voice. His heart beat fast. He could hear it pounding in his ears.

"There was activity on the elevator. It went down to the second level, but Mrs. Taft didn't tell me she was going anywhere."

"Did you call her cell?"

"I did, sir. it went to voice mail."

"Did you check the penthouse?"

"I was calling to get your permission to go up."

"You have it. Fuck! I'll go check and see if the car is still here. Call me when you know anything."

"Yes, sir."

* * * * *

Alexis broke just about every traffic violation on the way to Steph's apartment. She prayed all the way there that she wouldn't get pulled over. Her luck held out, and she screeched to a halt in Steph's extra parking space.

She jumped out of the car and ran the two flights up to the third floor. She was winded when she reached the top, but still ran as quick as she could down the breezeway that led to Steph's door. She pounded hard, wanting to be heard. The door partially opened, and an arm reached out pulling her in, hitting her head on the door frame in the process.

The door slammed shut. The apartment was gloomy. All the shades were drawn shut. Alexis felt something hard poke her in the back.

"Very good Alexis. You made it on time with even a few minutes to spare. Now, here's what we're going to do. We are going to walk very calmly downstairs and get in my car. You are not to yell or try to get away. If you do, I will shoot you with this gun." She dug the hard piece of metal into Alexis's back to make her point. "Do you understand?"

Alexis nodded her head. She was too scared to turn and look at her captor.

"I didn't hear you," her captor said in a singsong voice.

"Yes." It came out as a croak, but she got it out.

"Good. Steph," her captor yelled. "We'll be leaving now. Thank you so much for having us."

Was she trying to be funny or was she just crazy?Dumb question, Alexis. Of course, she's crazy. She's kidnapping you at gunpoint! Alexis heard a muffled yell coming from Steph's bedroom. At least, she knew her friend was alive.

"Let's go." The door opened and she was shoved through. The gun dug into her back even harder. "No funny business. You know I won't hesitate to kill you. Be smart and I might let you live."

Alexis's mind raced. How was she supposed to get herself out of this mess? Jack was going to kill her if she made it out of this alive. Oh God Jack! He would go crazy when he discovered she was missing.

They calmly walked down the stairs, like two people out for a stroll. She was led to a black, C-class Mercedes. More than likely, the car that tried to run her over.

She was taken to the driver's side. "Open the door and get in slowly." Alexis did as she was told. "Keep the door open." She felt the gun dig into the back of her head while the back door was opened. The gun was gone for a second before it came back. She heard the back door close. "Okay, shut your door and start the car. You do anything, and I meananythingfunny, and I will blow the back of your head off. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Alexis's whole body shook. She worried she wouldn't be able to drive. She started the car, gripped the steering, and tensed her body, trying stop the shaking.

"Make a right out of the complex. I'll give you directions as we go."

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