Only a few seconds pass before he replies.
Oliver: Send me your location.
I groan as I stare at the screen, my eyes stuck on his words.
Me: Why?
Oliver: Safety, babe.
I’m not dumb enough to think I’m invincible. I know the realities of walking into strangers’ houses and being a woman in today’s society. It’s almost impossible to trust anyone anymore.
Even though I hate the idea, I turn on my location sharing with Oliver so he’ll have peace of mind. I already share my location with my sister and parents, something they required when I was younger and never stopped because I didn’t feel like there was a need to.
Me: Done. Talk soon.
I tuck my phone into my bag and climb out of my car, soaking in the warm sunshine and the crisp air. Spring is near. I can feel it. Only a few more weeks before the frigid temperatures completely vanish until next year. It can’t come soon enough. This winter has been brutal.
The house is beautiful and looks like it could be in an architectural magazine, but that’s not uncommon for homes in this area. One thing I love about my work is seeing the insides of houses that I would neverbe able to see otherwise. Even the most put-together houses when it comes to decorating have overfilled closets and too many junk drawers stuffed with items the homeowner will never use.
I knock on the door and glance down at my watch. I’m right on time. I need to cut down on the small talk and get to work so I can be home at a decent hour and miss the worst part of rush-hour traffic. It doesn’t matter if you’re going into the city in the afternoon, it’ll still be awful.
The door opens, and I glance up, my eyes locking on someone I never thought I’d see again. My entire body goes cold, and I suddenly freeze, my body feeling like it’s filled with cement.
Before I can do anything, he reaches out and grabs my wrist, yanking me inside with so much force, my bag flies off my arm, scattering the contents everywhere.
The sudden motion is a shock, but one my system needs to remind my brain to fight back. I try to pull my arm away, but he’s too strong.
I scream, hoping someone will hear me.
“Ah. The sister,” Mark says with a sneer, his eyes filled with so much hatred. “This was way easier than I ever could’ve imagined.”
No. No. No. This can’t be happening.
We were all so worried about Zoey’s safety, I let my guard down about the possibility that I might be in danger too. I had been with Zoey when she’dconfronted Mark, and I never thought he’d come after me because my mind doesn’t think like a criminal or a madman.
I struggle against his grip as he talks. His strength is no match for my tiny arms, and my gun is lying ten feet away, along with the rest of my things from inside my bag.
Everything Oliver said is true. I am an easy mark on social media. Anyone can get to me and lure me to their house, and today, that someone is Mark. The gun gave me the illusion of safety, but it does me no good when I actually need it.
“Let me go,” I beg, yanking my arm backward, but his grip is too tight on my wrist.
I took basic classes in self-defense, but in this moment, when fear grips my insides, I can’t remember a damn lesson.
“Please.”
Mark laughs like it’s a game. “Not on your life, baby,” he says, and the last word makes my skin crawl.
I’m not only worried for my life, but what he’ll do to me before he steals my last breath. I should’ve known better when Sarah, the person he was supposed to be, wanted a booking as early as possible.
Her social media presence wasn’t big, but a quick glance over her posts and everything appeared to be okay. I searched the property online, and it was owned by a Sarah Newel, who obviously isn’t Mark, but here he is.
“We’re going to have some fun first.”
My stomach twists, and every part of my body comes alive, screaming for me to get away from him.
He pulls me forward as I plant my shoes into the tile, trying to get the rubber soles to work in my favor. But even the rubber is no match for Mark’s strength against the shiny floor.
I use my nails, digging them into the skin of his arm as he drags me deeper into the house. I pull them toward me, ripping open his skin enough to make him bleed.
