She glanced around and noticed the windows were covered with bars. Clara needed to escape before he put her in the stone building. She darted to the side and started to run. The man chuckled and caught up to her, grabbing her by her hair. She yelped, and he raised his hand as if to strike her. She glared at him and said, “I don’t think Dolan would want you to touch me.”
The man hesitated and released her hair, lowering his arm. He dragged her back to the door. He slid the metal bar that kept the door sealed and pushed her into the dark room, slamming the door behind her. She glanced around frantically, trying to calm herself. It was only a few more hours until dawn. She would be fine. Once it was light out, she could come up with a plan.
A scuffling sound echoed off the stone walls and Clara froze. She wasn’t alone. Her heart pounded wildly. “Who is there?”
The noise stopped but Clara could still hear breathing. “Please, who’s there?” she called out.
Clara's eyes started to adjust and with the limited light from the moon, she could make out a figure. The figure came closer, and Clara held her breath wondering if this was Abigail that Sam was looking for.
“Abigail?” she said.
“How do you know my name?”
“My husband, Sam Kincaide, told me about you. How long have you been here?”
“At least a couple nights. I can’t believe Dolan kidnapped you. He has gone mad. He is a monster,” Abigail said, her voice cracking with fear.
“Have you been hurt?” Clara asked, scared to hear what she would say.
She could see Abigail shake her head in the dark. “They wouldn’t dare. Dolan would destroy them.”
Clara felt a brief sense of relief and then asked, “Have you seen Dolan?”
“I heard them say that he wouldn’t be back until the last person was collected. I am assuming that was you. I am so sorry that you have become involved in this. I caused this.”
“That is nonsense. No one is to blame for any of this but Dolan,” Clara stated.
She closed her eyes, silently agreeing that Dolan had gone mad. How could he think he would get away with this? Kidnapping two women was completely irrational. What did he want with them? She shivered not wanting to let her mind focus on his plans too much. “We will find a way out of this,” Clara stated.
Chapter 32
Sam sat with Jack, Devons, and Miller discussing next options. “So, we let him go, see where he goes.”
“Has anyone heard from Dolan?” Miller asked.
Devons shook his head. “He has disappeared. He is up to something. He hasn’t been seen anywhere.”
Sam needed to head home. He wasn’t finished with his conversation with Clara. He was glad they had talked, but they still had so much more left to say or at least he did. As he was about to excuse himself, there was a commotion in the foyer.
“I demand you allow me to see Sam Kincaide now!” a lady said.
Devons lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “Let her in,” he yelled.
Sam was startled to see Diana. Her brown hair swirled around her shoulders, and she looked upset. Devons stood and said, “My lady, please sit.”
She looked at him for a brief second and said, “No, I would rather stand. Someone took Clara.”
Sam stumbled back into a chair. “What?”
“Henry saw it happen. Someone took her out of the house.”
He shook his head. “She has a guard.”
“Henry said he was knocked out when he left. He didn’t know where to go, so he came to my home. Earlier today, during the carriage ride to your townhouse, Clara had pointed out my home to show him it wasn’t far.”
“He traveled to your home, alone?”
Diana nodded, distraught. “Yes. He is with my staff and fine but obviously very upset. Earlier today he overheard a conversation about the Den. I came straight here.”
