Page 137 of Stalker

There was no in between.

I had to make one of the most difficult choices of my life.

But what if I couldn’t get the hell out of here?

I’d spouted off about love like I had a single clue what it entailed.

There were no romantic leads lining up for a power-hungry woman like me. Mother Nature wasn’t allowing men of every size and shape to fall from the heavens, discarding angels so every woman could have a real, hot alpha man.

However, as I paced the floor in the stupid room I’d been locked into, I was still thinking that love was a formidable opponent to the deeds of evil men. Maybe I had little romantic left in me, yet the way I felt about Wilder was amazing and debilitating, infuriating and so raw.

“Come out and play with me.”

I’d used my most alluring voice in creating a sound bite Wilder had plans on using. Only he didn’t know I had no intention of allowing him to get away with hunting on his own. He’d told me very little, only requiring me to make a few statements, recording them with his phone. I’d agreed. I’d acted like I’d be a good girl and remain right here in his house.

But he’d taken it one step further, locking me in a goddamn room. But not just any room. The damn thing was hidden behind other walls, only accessible through his incredible wine cellar.

He’d dumped me inside, assuring me he’d return and if he didn’t, he’d made arrangements for my safe passage to normalcy.

Without him, there was no such thing.

I jerked my head up, taking another few deep breaths. When I shifted, a smile formed on my face. While Wilder Blackwell might consider himself a master criminal, I’d learned a few techniques after years of practicing law.

Including protecting myself in any way possible.

My heart still ached, but I struggled to my feet, slowly easing my hand into my jeans pocket. My captor had taken my phone, which he’d believed to be the most dangerous thing in my purse. However, he’d missed the huge Swiss Army knife Penny had given me after the last incident with a deranged killer who’d tried to kidnap me.

The gift had been meant as a joke, but the sentiment had nestled in the dark recesses of my mind. I spun around to face the door, listening for any sounds. The quiet was even more unnerving.

After flicking the larger blade open, I twirled it in my hand while I stared at the lock casing. It wasn’t meant to open from this side and there weren’t the traditional screws that could easily be dealt with.

But there was a washer of some type. If I pried them off, I might be able to push the lock enough so I could then use the same metal to shove aside the locking portion itself. It was a longshot, but there was no other choice. Plus, I had a feeling the lock had been turned the opposite way. The room had been equipped as a safe room, a place where the owner of the house and his family or guests could potentially hide away for days in case of an attack. With two cots lining the thick walls, a shelfing unit full of canned goods, drawers that I’d yet to check out, and what appeared to be a small but running refrigerator, the room was well equipped.

There was even a computer system, no doubt heavily secured.

Yes. My instincts told me I was right. Wilder had hurriedly exchanged the lock’s position. That could work to my benefit.

After studying the mechanism for a full minute, I knew there was nothing to lose. I had to get the hell out of here.

The work was painstaking. I thought I’d end up breaking the blade more than once. And it seemed like I’d been at it for hours, but I started making progress.

With sweat beading on my face, I rubbed my sleeved arm across my cheeks and continued, growing excited when my plan seemed to work.

Yet I was counting off the seconds. What if Cash had given up?

Then I’d catch a goddamn ride.

The moment the lock shifted, another thought entered my mind. How in the hell was I going to find the location of the hunt?

At this point, it couldn’t matter.

I kept working, pushing my weight against the lock when I was certain I could drive it the opposite direction. I was about to give up all together when it suddenly moved and the momentum drove me against the door.

A smile broke across my face, but this was no time for a celebration. I shoved the blade between the door and the jamb and prayed.

Less than a minute later, I heard a slight click. Using my fingers inside the hole I’d created, I was able to open the door. The cool air of the wine cellar brought a sense of relief.

I almost did a little jig, but knew time was of the essence. All I could concentrate on at this point was finding Wilder. I had to help him.

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