Page 56 of Giving In

“This is kidnapping, did you know?” I mumble, still trying to put some sense into him.

“Guess we’re both criminals then.” The smile he gives me shows that he genuinely doesn’t care that I’m here against my will.

“I’m not a criminal, Jake,” I sigh, still refusing to get out of the car. Maybe if I stay here long enough, he’ll grow bored and drive me back.

“Last time I checked, theft was a crime.”

“Look. I’m sorry, okay? What do you want?”

“We’ve got plenty of time for questions later. Come on,” he concludes.

I reluctantly get out of the car and follow him. I expect him to walk towards the wooden double front door. Instead, he turns towards the garage in silence. We walk around the garage, through a small alley between perfectly trimmed bushes and a stoned wall from the house.

A few feet later we walk into the backyard. We walk along the paved patio and onto the thick, green grass. The pool is a huge rectangle of dark blue, reflecting the sunset. There are some lights around the yard, paving the way to the pool house. I remember when Chris and I were kids and used to pick our favorite pool toys from the mess inside the pool house. I’m confused, why does he want to go there?

When we get to the door, Jake puts me in front of him and opens the door from behind me. His arm brushes against the side of my face and, while my brain’s first reaction should be to jerk away, my body takes it all in. The warmth, the sandalwood scent. I still feel sticky between my legs from earlier and his closeness brings it all back. I shiver as he turns the handle and pushes it forward.

My eyes widen when the door opens, Chris is sitting down on a sofa perpendicular to the doorway. Rose is next to him munching on popcorn while he looks for something to watch on TV.

They both look up when Jake gives me a light push that makes me step inside. This pool house had never looked like this before. Chris’s parents must have renovated it for the twins.

“Well if that isn’t our little thief,” Rose says playfully. “Here to give me back my phone?”

I don’t reply but I relax when Chris gets up and observes both Jake and me for a few seconds, frowning at us. His eyes go from me to Jake and back to me before he walks to us. That’s it, he’s going to tell him something. He’s going to threaten Jake for bringing me here against my will, in his low, deep voice. Jake is going to complain but eventually, he won’t have a choice. Chris is going to step in, he’s not going to let this stupid situation go on any longer.

He stops in front of us but addresses himself to Jake. “I’ll be in the house if you’re looking for me.”

I can feel my heart racing as Chris leaves without another glance my way.

“Chris–” I call out but within seconds he slams the door behind him.

Rose laughs as she gets up from the sofa. “I think you’ve lost all your allies, Goody.”

She picks up a red leather jacket and puts it on before coming to a stop right in front of me, but she doesn’t look at me either. She’s talking to Jake, right above my head. I am sandwiched between the two. Neither of them pays attention to me while they go on with their conversation.She holds out her hand to him.

“No,” Jake simply says.

“Jake,” she warns in a low voice.

I can’t see him, but I feel him shift behind me and sigh. The next second, he deposits the burner phone into Rose’s hand.

“You’re my hero,” she smiles at him. “I’ll be at Rachel’s.”

“Ozy, don’t text him. Not until we’ve figured out a plan.”

“Sure thing.” She gives him her most innocent smile but I’m sure he doesn’t buy it any more than I do.

“Are you coming back for the party?” he asks.

“Is that a real question? Have I ever missed Chris’ birthday?” She doesn’t wait for a response and I hear the door open and close.

I close my eyes for a second, swallowing the lump in my throat. I am now completely alone with Jake inhishouse. Chris has given up on helping me after I lied to him and Rose doesn’t give a shit, especially now that she knows I’m the one who stole her phone. And to top it all off, I don’t even have the phone anymore. My only weapon to get closer to Volkov. My only chance to get any answers about my brother.

“Move.”

I jump in surprise at the order that comes with a hand at my lower back. I open my eyes and swallow hard before I take steps deeper inside the house. I walk to the right, behind the sofa, as he guides me to a hallway with his hand. It only takes us a few steps to reach two doors. One on the right and one on the left. There’s another one in the middle, marking the end of the hallway.

I stop, not knowing where to go, and he pushes the door to the left open. I don’t wait for him and go in straight away.

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