Page 29 of Oh No, My Kidnapper Is Hot!

Stryker dashes that theory when he tells me that I’ve met everyone “at the compound” already, and their houses are all by his. Interesting.

“What’s the deal with the guard, then? Why not set the gate up with a code box?” Seems excessive to me, especially when they’re handcuffing any possible escapees to themselves.

“Sal set it up.” He shrugs. “Said he was bored. He doesn’t get as many jobs these days, so I let him do it. Then Baz retired and wanted some shifts. Sometimes Heidi will man it.” Another shrug. “It’s good for morale.”

“Youlethim? You’re in charge of this place?”

If he’s their leader, it’s no wonder they’re all looney. The crazy leading the crazy.

“I wouldn’t say I’m in charge, exactly. I own the land and manage the amenities. Because of that, buildings and major changes – such as a guard station – tend to go through me before going to a group vote.”

Not in charge, but he handles everything, owns everything, and has first say over everything. Right.

“That sounds pretty in charge to me.”

“It’s not,” he responds, turning onto the highway. I roll my eyes, but let the conversation go in favor of watching our route. The view is much better up here in the front than it was from the cage.I’ll even get to see the whole drive. Such a plus. I want to knowexactlywhere to send the professionals for a round-up of my unwell friends.

I don’t recognize anything for a while – not until we’re already into the city, where I spot the superstore parking lot that I like to park in overnight. A zing runs through me.

My eyes scan the lot, looking for the bright green of mybaby, but she’s not here. The zing is quickly replaced by pure, blinding panic.

“Your car is at the compound,” Stryker says. My stomach drops. “I had Baz and Heidi retrieve it.”

“You– my car– she’s–”

“At the compound. Yes.”

He’s a monster. He stole my baby. She’s all alone in a strange, scary place. She was supposed to be safe and sound where she always is, ready and waiting to carry me away from this nightmare.

I don’t know what to do now. I can’t leave her, but I can’t go back with Stryker to get her either. Could I wait until the cops are there? Get her while the whack squad is being carted away in straightjackets? I slump in my seat. Stupid Stryker. Stupid Compound. Stupid van.

I kick the door. It does nothing to ease my frustration and earns me a reprimand from Stryker. Hmph. Like he can talk. Mr. Temper Tantrum. When he got mad, hekidnappeda person. I kick the door again, purely on principle.

My seat belt pulls tight across my chest as the van comes to a halt.

We’re parked behind a strip mall. The door in front of us has a small sign that reads “Vinnie’s Laundry Services”.

“Stop throwin’ a fit, Millie. Better your car’s at home than in an impound lot, which is where it would’ve been if it stayed parked in a public lot much longer.”

He could’ve told me she was at the bottom of the Pacific and it would be better than her being at his home. An impound lot would be like a spa in comparison to the slums she’s currently in.

Stryker sighs, then he pulls his necklace out of his shirt and unlocks his side of the handcuffs. My jaw drops. He’s uncuffing us!

My elation is short-lived, however, as he clicks the loose cuff onto the steering wheel. I glare at it.

“I need you to promise me something,” he says, using his soft, gentle voice. I transfer my glare to him. No way he’s getting me with that trick. Not after he stole my baby and gave me fleeting hope that cuff time would be over.

He grumbles an annoyed sound.

“This is serious, Millie.”

I raise my eyebrows. If it’s so serious then he should probably get on with it so I can pout in peace.

“I need you to promise me that when you see me lift my gun, you’ll look away,” he says. My brows pull together. I look around the lot we’re in. It’s empty, and the building looks fairly abandoned. There’s nothing here to shoot. I shrug.

“Sure, I can do that,” I tell him. What am I going to miss? Him shooting at a brick wall?

Stryker nods, satisfied, and exits the vehicle. He grabs a duffel from the back of the van. It’s identical to the ones at his house. He shuts the door, then reappears in front of the van seconds later. He moves to the back of the building, crouching between the doors to Vinnie’s Laundry Services and Miss Anne’s Discount Therapy.

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