“Momma?”
“It’s okay, honey.”
Adam held a knife to Zoey’s throat. “Now, make me a sandwich like a good little woman, or the brat is dead.”
Jolts of pain zapped her body, but she moved to the kitchen and prepared a plate for him. Anything at this point to give her and Zoey time. While she spread mayo on the bread, she prayed David had received her text and was on the way.
She placed the meal on the table. “Here.”
Adam grabbed a chair and slammed the feet on the floor next to Zoey. “Sit.” He jerked her arm.
She bit back a cry and stumbled onto the chair.
“Don’t move.” His evil laugh sent chills racing down her spine. He swaggered to the table, flipped on the radio, and sat with his back to them. He sang to the song between bites in his off-key tone.
“Momma,” Zoey whispered.
“Shh.” Jennie shifted her gaze to Adam. The man ate his sandwich like beating a woman was just another day at theoffice. She returned her gaze to her daughter. “Stay strong. Don’t let him see you as weak,” she mouthed.
Zoey nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Jennie scanned the room. The living room was connected to the kitchen that included a four-person table, and a small hallway presumably led to the bedroom and bathroom.
She sucked in a breath. White lights danced in her eyes and pain shot through her core. She took in small sips of air.Don’t do that again.
“Zoey, look at me,” she whispered.
Her daughter’s eyes met hers.
“If I give you an opportunity to escape, take it.”
“No. I’m not leaving you. He’ll kill you.”
Jennie knew that Zoey was probably right, but she had to get her daughter away from this man. Her daughter still wore the bracelet that David gave her. If the text hadn’t gone through, Zoey was the only hope of getting help.
“You’re our only hope of getting out of here. When the time comes, run. There’s a car parked at the end of this lane. My cell is in the console. Take it. Find service and call David—promise me.”
Zoey glanced in Adam’s direction then back at her and mouthedpromise.
Now to figure out how to free Zoey. Adam hadn’t tied her to the chair. Most likely he figured she hurt too much to move, and he wasn’t wrong. But she had to find a way to untie Zoey and get her out of the cabin.
Jennie lowered her head, pretending she was in too much agony to move. If only it wasn’t the truth.
As she sat waiting for the opportunity to free Zoey, she forced herself to relax. She focused on a spot on the floor and prayed that David found them before it was too late.
“Momma,” Zoey whispered.
Not enough energy to respond, she raised her eyes.
“He’s in the bathroom.”
It was now or very literally maybe never. She clenched her teeth and moved toward her daughter. Her swollen limbs made it difficult to move let alone untie the ropes. But if there was ever a time to suck it up and move forward, this was it.
The ropes fell from Zoey’s wrists and the girl bolted from her seat. “I’ll get help. I promise.” Zoey ran straight through the front door and out into the night.
Jennie staggered to her chair and collapsed onto it. Tears trickled down her face. More pain was on the horizon, but at least her daughter was free.
“What did you do?” Adam stormed into the living room. “Why you little…” His fist landed hard across her cheekbone.
