Page 104 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
"Look who's finally awake," a gravelly voice says from the front seat. "Hope you enjoyed your nap, Miss Bennett."
I bite back a retort, trying to orient myself.Stay calm, Alina. Assess the situation. Kade will realize something's wrong soon.
"You've been quite the nuisance," another voice chimes in, smoother and more refined. "Poking your nose where it doesn't belong."
My stomach churns as the vehicle takes a sharp turn. We're moving fast, probably just getting off a highway. The air feels cooler against my skin—we must be heading north out of the city.
"What do you want?" I ask, my voice steadier than I feel.
A chuckle. "Oh, we just want to have a little chat. Clear up some misunderstandings."
The refined voice speaks again. "You see, Miss Bennett, you've stumbled into something far bigger than you realize. We can't have you running around causing trouble."
The road changes beneath us, becoming bumpier. The air coming through the cracked window smells different than I'm used to—less urban, more... green. Vineyards?
"Where are you taking me?" I demand.
"Somewhere we can talk privately," the gravelly voice responds. "Don't worry, you'll be our honored guest."
The vehicle slows, gravel crunching under the tires. We've left the main road. The scent of grapes is unmistakable now - we must be in wine country. Sonoma Valley?
After what feels like an eternity, we come to a stop. Doors open and close. Rough hands grab my arms, pulling me from the vehicle.
"Watch your step," the refined voice says, almost politely. "We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself before meeting the boss."
I'm guided up what feels like wooden steps, then inside a building. The temperature drops noticeably—airconditioning. My blindfold is removed, and I blink against the sudden light.
I'm in what looks like a rustic cabin, but with modern touches. A man stands before me, his gray eyes regarding me with cold curiosity.
"Miss Bennett, I've been looking forward to meeting you. My name is Markus Steele."
As my eyes adjust to the light, I take in the details of the cabin. Exposed wooden beams stretch across the vaulted ceiling, and a stone fireplace dominates one wall. The living room contains an interesting blend of old and new styles.
Comfortable leather chairs with thick cushioning stand next to a contemporary glass table with clean, transparent lines. Through large windows, I glimpse rolling hills covered in neat rows of grapevines.
Markus Steele stands before me, his presence commanding the room. His suit looks custom-tailored, probably worth more than my entire wardrobe.
"You're a hard woman to find, Miss Bennett." His voice smooth as silk but with an underlying edge of steel.
I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "I wasn't aware anyone was looking for me."
A hint of a smile touches his lips. "Oh, we've been looking for you for some time now. Your little meeting today was... opportune."
Shit. My contact. How did they know?
As if reading my thoughts, Markus continues, "Your contact didn't know he was compromised, of course. But we've been monitoring him for weeks, waiting to see who he'd reach out to."
My mind races. If they've been watching my contact, what else do they know?
"I'm just a journalist following a lead," I say, testing the waters. "Nothing more."
Markus chuckles, the sound devoid of warmth. "Oh, Miss Bennett. We both know you're far more than 'just a journalist.' Your tenacity is... impressive. But also incredibly dangerous."
He stops, fixing me with his penetrating gaze. "What I find curious, Miss Bennett, is what kind of reporter has a family that's so heavily guarded. Care to enlighten me?"
My blood runs cold.They've been watching my family?I struggle to keep my face neutral, but inside, I'm seething with anger and fear.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, trying to sound confused.
