Page 26 of Vendetta
When the car finally slowed, Dylan leaned forward, squinting through the windshield.They’d pulled up to a house, and it was beautiful.All modern glass and sharp lines, tucked back at the edge of a private lake.She’d gone to school with kids of the people who lived in this area.Needless to say, they hadn’t been her friends.
Every light was on around that house like it had been staged for a photo shoot.The apprehension she felt about this situation grew as she took it all in.It was way too nice for a bar gig.
The driver got out and opened her door without a word.Dylan hesitated, her heart already racing in her chest as she wondered just what situation she’d allowed herself to be delivered to.She stepped out.She should’ve taken the time to get a text off to Jason.She should have listened to him.She shouldn’t have walked back throughNed’s door.
The wind off the lake felt colder than it should have.When she glanced back at the house, she now saw a man waiting for her on the porch.As she walked in his direction and got closer, she recognized him.It was the man who’d come in that night with Eli.The man was too rich for Oak Grove, with his polished clothes and wolf smile.It was the man who’d grabbed her, scared her.
“Miss Crizer,” he said smoothly, like they were already old friends.“Welcome.Come in.”
She forced a tight smile and followed him inside, her boots clicking too loudly on the hardwood floors.She didn’t see a bar or trays.No setup of any kind.No, there was just low music, moody lighting, and a table with two glasses already poured.
She hesitated.Her heart raced in her chest.Had her uncle set her up?
“I thought I was here to… work,” she said slowly.
The man gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.“You are,” he said, gesturing toward one of the glasses.“But not the kind that needs a uniform.”
Her throat went dry.
She didn’t sit.“Where’s Eli?”
“Busy,” he said.“But you’re in good hands.Come, sit.Relax.You must be tired.”
Dylan didn’t move.“I’d like to call him.”
“No need,” the man said easily.“You’re with me now.”
With me.The words echoed in her skull like a siren.Her eyes darted to the door she’d just walked through.It was already closed.She crossed to it, trying the handle.It was locked tight.
There had to be other exits if she could find them.
“Why am I here?”she asked, voice tight.
The man’s smile widened as he stepped closer.“Because you’re exactly what I asked for,” he said.“And your uncle is a very generous man.”
Panic hit her hard.It was a cold, creeping thing sliding down her spine.She wasn’t really here for a job or a shift.This was a handoff, and she was the product.
Dylan took a slow step back from him, keeping the locked door in her peripheral vision.He was still smiling at her like she was some new toy he couldn’t wait to unwrap.Forcing herself to breathe evenly, she focused on staying calm.
“I think there’s been a mistake,” she said, voice steady, but cold.“I’m not here for this.”
The man laughed softly, almost admiringly.“That’s cute,” he said.“But we both know your uncle doesn’t make mistakes.”
She didn’t blink.“Then he’s not the man I thought he was.”
He took another step forward.“You’ll see things differently after a drink.And maybe a night’s rest.”The man reached for her arm, his touch light, almost polite even.
Dylan slapped his hand away hard enough that it echoed.“No.”
His eyes darkened, the smile slipping just slightly.“I suggest you remember where you are, Dylan.”
“I know exactly where I am,” she snapped.“In a stranger’s house, without a phone, and locked in.And if you think I won’t scream loud enough to shatter every window in this place, try me.”
For the first time, his calm cracked.“No one will hear you out here,” he said.
Her stomach turned, but somehow, she kept her voice even.“I’m not doing anything until I get answers.”
His jaw flexed slightly.“You don’t get to make terms.You’re here.You’ll cooperate.Or things will get… unpleasant.”He picked up one of the glasses and handed it to her with a little flourish.“Drink.”
