Page 16 of Worship

No, I don’t trust him. Ican’t.

I don’t know where he’s taking me. He isn’t bringing me to Blake’s or back to Stonehill. He drives the opposite way, over Fairdell Bridge and out of Fair Haven.

Soon, we leave the highway, veering on to a much smaller road with sharp turns and bends. The wheels kick up spray and throw dirty water over the windshield. The wipers come on automatically, clearing away the water, revealing an isolated, bumpy road thick with foliage and woodland trees.

The bit of food I managed to shove down my throat turns in my stomach. Being someplace secluded with Milton sets my nerves on edge. He’s a cold-hearted killer, so maybe selling me off was too dull.

As I imagine him dragging me out of the car by my hair and killing me too, I’m left even more mystified as the road smooths and trees thin. That’s when I see it; a three-story mansion made of black stone sits spectacularly lit on an incline. I’ve never laid eyes on a place like it, and wariness pulsates through my body because the unknown is a damn scary thing.

We meander up a circular driveway and stop outside. The large front door, trimmed in gold with two stone columns positioned on either side, opens, and a man smartly dressed rushes outside as Milton gets out of the car.

As I fumble with my belt, transfixed on my surroundings, he opens my door and waves me out. My legs wobble as I exit the car. This isn’t a home, it’s too formal, and I’m aware that my Stonehill attire doesn’t go with a place like this. God only knows why he’s brought me here.

“When I’m leaving, bring the SUV around,” I overhear him say to the valet, tossing the keys at him. It starts to rain again as the man gets into the car and drives it away.

My shoulders sag, knowing tonight is only getting started. The real reason for me being here only minutes away from being revealed. I’m exhausted and miss my bed in Stonehill, yearning to be under the covers and pretending I don’t live in a world like this. With buildings lurking in dark places in the middle of nowhere.

“What is this place?” My spine stiffens when his hand lands on the small of my back, his heat radiating through the material of my shirt. He leans in, and I inhale sharply at his closeness, not wanting it but gravitating toward the warmth. He’s always been warm.

“You’ll see.” Tingles spread through my body as his breath brushes against my neck. I know I should resist as he guides me toward the door. It’s almost as if the mansion itself has cast some imaginary power over me, stunning me into compliance.

Or maybe I’m just too far gone now, and I’ve all but accepted my inevitable fate.

As we step over the threshold, I tilt my head to the side, soaking in the strangeness of the foyer. With silver granite floors and harsh gray walls, the hallway is cold and masked in shadow. It’s a place I don’t want to be, but also can’t help the curiosity, especially noticing the three archways perfectly aligned with three directions to take.

Right, left, or forward.

All lead to darkness. Unknown places of secrets I sense they hide. The only decor in the room is the three colossal silver Xs displayed directly across the entrance, like the ring on Milton’s finger.

The tightness in my chest is unbearable now, especially when male laughter and music hints that we’re not alone.

“This way.” Milton’s arm wraps around my waist as we go left through the arch, down a straight corridor. Moonlight spills through huge windows, casting a glow against his frame, like some twisted version of a halo.

Since leaving the restaurant, his face has been formidable, secretive of his true feelings. But for the first time tonight, the harshness has softened, and it’s like he’s relaxed being here.

Or it could be just another lie his face paints. I can’t tell anymore.

Finally, we reach a set of thick solid doors with golden handles. Letting go of me, he digs into his pocket and produces a black card with another X on it. Swiping it through a scanner, there’s abeep, and the doors unlock.

As soon as he pushes me inside, my mouth drops open. The room we’ve just entered has high ceilings and onyx marble floors that shine. The walls and furniture are decorated in deep brown, burgundy, and gold. It’s big, spacious, and fancy, like something straight out of an old movie.

“Gentlemen,” Milton greets a group of men gathered around the bar wearing tuxedos. They all nod in a polite reply as we pass them, but their eyes don’t linger for more than a few seconds. Almost as if it would be impolite to do so.Or foolish.

The chatter continues behind us as he takes me down a quieter corridor, stopping outside another door. When these open, all I see is red. My eyes strain against the harsh ruby glare. Lights that reflect off the white walls, the contrast, unlike anything I’ve ever encountered.

As my eyes adjust, I peer apprehensively at stairs that lead down. I know better than to ask questions, but they sit heavily on my tongue. Any minute they’re going to slip down my throat and strangle me.

The door automatically slams shut behind me, and I can’t take it any longer. As Milton goes to grab me again, I step away from him. “No.” Sweat dampens the back of my neck, knowing there’s danger waiting for me down there. What else would there be? “What the hell do you want from me?”

“Now that…” He takes a step closer, and my back hits the door. I wait for him to touch me. Hurt me. It doesn’t happen. The fucker does nothing. “Is the best question you’ve asked me all night. And all will be revealed if you shut up and keep moving.”

Grabbing my hand, he forcibly pulls me down the stairs. I try not to trip over my feet as panic grips me. Once we reach the bottom, I don’t like the look of the long, windowless hallway ahead. Something that seems completely endless.

Appearing devilish in the red light with splatters of blood on the front of his shirt, Milton’s hand wraps around my waist again. Taking me deeper into what my brain can’t stop calling a modern-day Hell.

Every so often, we pass a black door but don’t go into any of them. Unease churns my stomach. He’s dragging this out too long. I even expect Blake to open one of those doors, arms wide open and signature evil smile in place.

Let’s go home, Heidi, baby.

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