Page 87 of The Doctor's Twins

“I know. We just spoke to someone who saw her getting into an SUV with someone who fits Mateo’s description. Fuck, Sam! I’m going to drop Peyton’s father off at home and drive to Mexico.”

“No! Ben, listen to me. You can’t go alone. You have no idea what you’re going to walk into. It may be a trap. Come home and we’ll put together a team.”

“There’s no time for that, Sam! He has her. God knows what he’s planning on doing to her. He’s a psychopath!”

“Captain Forbes!”

The sound of Sam’s yelling snapped me out of my panic.

“Listen to me,” he carried on. “Stay where you are. I’m coming. I’ll bring a team of men with me. In the meanwhile, stay with Peyton’s family. They may be in danger. Do you copy?”

“Fine,” I said, reluctantly. “I’ll send you an address.”

“Hang in there, soldier. See you in a bit.”

“Sam,” I said before he hung up.

“Yeah, buddy?”

“Pack me a weapon.”

24

PEYTON

Ugh…my head hurts. Where am I? What is that awful smell? How…

My eyes shot open. I tried to sit up a few seconds later. Oh, no. No, no, no…I knew exactly where I was without having to look around. The fucking basement! I was back in Mexico City—correction, back in hell!

To say that I was terrified was an epic understatement. My body was ice cold and try as I might, I couldn’t budge. Mateo had tied me to a bed. The son of a bitch had appeared when I’d least expected it, and now I was going to pay dearly for my mistake. The only question was, how much?

“Mateo!” I screamed, knowing full well that he couldn't hear me. “Mateo! Where are you, you fucking coward?” I screamed again, more for my own benefit than anything else. The action made me feel tougher than I was, which, granted, wasn’t very much at all.

My leg was hurting in the spot where my psycho husband had jabbed me with a needle. Suffice it to say Mateo hadn’t employed any finesse, unsurprisingly. I couldn’t even rub the spot as my hands were tied.

Well done, Peyton. This time you are truly and royally fucked!

I wondered how long Mateo was planning on leaving me there, twisting in the wind, dreading his intentions. Being tied to a bed like a dog was likely a small part of the elaborate punishment to follow.

Damn it! Why did I think it was safe to leave Ben behind and venture out on my own? My family was probably sick with worry, wondering where I’d gotten off to. Were they frantic by now? And Ben. Did he even know that I was in danger? What a mess.

I lay there for what seemed like hours before I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. My whole being turned rigid with fear. Was this the end? I heard deliberate footsteps as Mateo descended the staircase. The plan now was to keep my face free from any trace of panic. It wasn’t going to be easy.

“Ah, mi amor,” he mocked.

“Fuck you,” I said calmly, without raising my voice.

“I see your time away has done nothing to improve your manners,” he smirked.

“A little hypocritical of you, don’t you think, you murderous psycho?”

“Ouch,” he countered, sarcastically, and placed his hand over his black heart. As if anyone could actually hurt him.

“Congratulations, Mateo. So, you found me. Now what?”

“Slow down, darling,” he grinned and stroked my hair. “No need to rush into anything. I have a few questions, first.”

“Ha! You have questions!” I snarled and tried my best to pull away from his touch.

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