Page 65 of Unmasked Legacy

"You have to," I say, my voice firm even though I’m utterly terrified. "Please, Jace. I need you to be safe. I won’t let you get hurt because of me.”

Before he can respond, the man slams the gun so hard on the window it shatters, and a rough hand reaches in, unlocking the door and swinging it open. Before I can say another word, he is pulling me out. I struggle, but his grip is unyielding.

"Get out," the man growls, dragging me from the car.

Jace calls out my name and unlocks his door to leap out of the car, desperation in his eyes, but the second man reaches in and swings his gun, striking him hard across the head. I watch in horror as he slumps forward, unconscious, his body collapsing against the steering wheel.

"Jace!" I scream, squirming, trying to get out of this man’s strong grip, but he continues to drag me away, ignoring my cries.

My heart shatters.

They shove me into the van, the door slamming shut with finality. As the vehicle speeds away, I feel the crushing weight of fear gripping my chest. My mind races with thoughts of Jace who is now alone on the side of the road, unconscious. What if he dies before anybody finds him? What if he doesn’t go to Wolfe?

The thoughts are too much to bear.

I try to calm my racing heart, but the uncertainty of what lies ahead terrifies me.

Deep down, I already know who has me.

The problem is, I don’t know how I’m going to survive it.

15

The drive isn’t long, and before I know it, the van is slowing down. I press my back to the far wall, holding my knees up to my chest, terrified of what’s coming next but knowing I have to find a strength within myself now, otherwise I’m not escaping this. I have to dig deep and bring out the wild side buried within me.

I won’t die here.

The van doors swing open, and the same two men order me out. I do as I’m told, not wanting to risk being beaten and having even more of my strength ripped away from me. The moment my feet hit the ground, one of the men curls his fingers around my upper arm and jerks me in the direction of an old, abandoned house.

“Steady on,” I snap. “I’m walking.”

“Shut the fuck up,” the man growls.

As we approach the house, I can’t help but admire its haunting silhouette against the darkening sky. Its windows are shattered, broken shards and jagged edges, no doubt once filled with so many memories. The wooden boards are worn and weathered, the paint peeling, revealing molding panels beneath. The roof sags, and the deck has multiple large holes that have rotted out over time.

Surrounding the house, the overgrown grass and weeds brush against my legs as I’m dragged forward. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth, a reminder of the life that once thrived here but has long since been forgotten. Trees encircle theproperty, with overgrown branches. Once, I have no doubt, they would have been the perfect entrance to this place.

Every step closer fills me with a sense of fear, the kind that settles deep in your bones and refuses to let go. This place feels like a graveyard of memories, ones that have been long forgotten but still linger like old souls. It’s a terrifying presence, and I’m not certain I want to be taken inside. I feel like whatever is in there is going to haunt me forever.

As I'm dragged inside, the air grows colder, and the house smells of rot. The interior of the house is even more haunting than its exterior. The walls are lined with faded, peeling wallpaper, and the floorboards creak beneath our feet, with each step, I’m scared I’ll fall right through. Dust hangs in the air, coating every surface.

My heart pounds as I take in the surroundings, and I’m stuck with the thought that this might be the place Wolfe told me about, where he caught my father committing senseless murder. He said an old, abandoned house. The thought sends a shiver down my spine but at the same time, gives me a glimmer of hope.

If it is the place, then he might be able to find me.

The men lead me through a narrow hallway, past rooms filled with broken furniture and shattered glass. I try to steady my breathing, to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and to keep my cool. I need to be witty, strong and resilient right now. If I’m not, then I might not ever see the light outside again and I don’t plan on allowing that to happen.

We stop in a large room at the back of the house. The walls are covered in graffiti, and the remnants of fire damage in the back corner. In the center stands a man, his face partially hidden in the shadows. My heart skips a beat as I take a wild guess as to who that man is. There is only one person who would bring me here, and only one person who wants revenge.

Caleb.

His presence is commanding, and his eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. I can see the years of anger and betrayal burned into his stone-cold features. This is the man who was wronged by my father, the one seeking revenge, and in his mind, I am theperfectway to enact that revenge.

“Welcome, Mera,” he says, his voice low and filled with a chilling calmness. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

I swallow hard, trying to muster the courage to speak. “Caleb, I’m guessing?”

He steps closer, and up close, I can see he’s actually a striking man. His blond hair is more sand than straw and sits messily atop his head. His eyes are a deep brown, and his lips are full and turn slightly upward when he smiles. He’s striking, but there is an emptiness in his eyes that scares me. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. The daughter of aninfamous killer.”

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