Page 21 of Tempted By Sin

So, how the hell did the masked man find me? I know it’s him because he’s the only person who calls me ‘little bird.’

The longer I stare out into the darkness, my heart non-existent in my chest, I kid myself into thinking I feel a pair of ocean blue eyes staring back at me. I know that isn’t possible given the security lining the property, but it still doesn’t stop my mind from free falling once again into the depths of the ocean which has plagued my mind the past week.

If he has found me, what does he plan to do with me?

And will I like it?

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Paetyn

“Okay,that’s it for our session, Amy. I will see you again in two weeks.”

My patient stands from the chair opposite me, fiddling with the ends of her long, auburn hair. “Thank you for today.”

I lean forward to lay my notebook on the wooden coffee table in front of me and stand, meeting Amy’s gaze. A warm smile touches my lips as I regard her. She has been coming to see me regularly for the past two years. She’s in her early twenties, struggling with debilitating anxiety and depression. Despite being diagnosed with something life-altering, she still makes the effort every two weeks to sit down and talk with me. Amy might not see it yet, but in the time I have been seeing her, she has made progress. Mostly in the way she thinks and some of her actions. But there is still much more progress to make.

“Get home safe, okay?” I wait for Amy to pass me before I follow her out of the room. My heels click against the vinyl floor, echoing throughout the front foyer.

Clarissa smiles at me from behind the computer monitor as we pass by. Once again, she is working late. I need to remind her it’s okay to leave work on time. Life is too short to be bogged down by a job.

Maybe I’m saying this because of my recent kidnapping, but still, life really is too short.

Before Amy steps through the door, she turns to face me, her pale brown eyes wide. “I’m glad you’re okay, after… you know. I was worried about you when I heard about your disappearance.”

Oh, if only she knew how messed up my head has been this past week. But I can’t tell my client that sort of information. Instead, I offer a warm smile. “Thank you for your concern, Amy. I’m okay.”

The corner of her lips turn up in a smile and she nods. “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

The door closes behind her with a soft click, and I’m quick to push the lock into place. I’m ready to get home and find something to take my mind off everything that has happened the past week since I was recused.

After the text message I got last night from the masked man… I need something to distract me from the meaning behind it.

“Paetyn,” Clarissa calls from the front desk. “Are you okay?”

I clear my throat and step away from the door. A smile slips onto my lips as I straighten the dark brown cardigan wrapped tightly around my shoulders. “I’m fine, just tired. It’s been a long day of back to back sessions.”

Clarissa’s brown eyes flash with sympathy as I approach her. “Go home and get some rest, okay?”

“You should take your own advice,” I respond with a small smile. “I mean it. You work too hard. Take the night off, and go out with your boyfriend. It’s Friday night, after all.”

Clarissa blows out a long breath, running her fingers through the ends of her blonde hair. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m just about done with the work for today anyway.”

“That’s the spirit.” I step away from the desk and walk toward my office. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

Once I have my belongings and lock my office, I bid farewell to a few other people in the office and step onto the streets of New York City. The air is cold against the bare skin of my cheeks. But thankfully, I don’t have to walk to the parking lot I would normally park in because Liam has insisted I have a driver take me to and from work each day. He doesn’t feel comfortable with me driving myself and having to walk alone at night after what happened.

I must admit, I feel the same. That’s why I didn’t put up a fight, and allow Liam to hire a driver.

Toby, said driver, nods at me from his position in front of the passenger door. When I approach him, he opens the door to the black Rolls Royce. “Good evening, Miss Jones.”

“Hi, Toby,” I say softly, sliding into the car. “Thank you.”

I watch the middle-aged man with graying hair round the front of the vehicle. He slides into the front seat effortlessly, wasting no time switching the ignition on and pulling out to merge with the traffic.

With it being a Friday night, we’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Everyone is keen to get home and relax. Angry honks and annoyed voices shouting throughout the street hit my ears, but I ignore them. My mind feels numb as I stare straight ahead, staring at the back of the yellow taxi inches from the front of the car.

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