My head swims as I lean into the door, trying to catch my breath for a second. I’m so screwed. Why did I have to come onto the one floor with no damn walls? All I can do is pray the boys all went down, thinking I would be on the street and the voice I heard was just the sound carrying. I can hide in here until it’s late and I know they will have given up on finding me. My stomach churns uncomfortably because I know that will be never. They have said as much before. Whoever they are holding me for must be paying a pretty penny to have me. The man who was helping my papa said he offered him a million. Would the boys get the same? The thought makes my fists clench and a fresh wave of adrenaline race through me. I have no wayof contacting my brother and no way of paying for a lift out of town. The only friends I have I made at their family club, and I already know they won’t help me. I’m completely alone. Tears blur my vision as panic takes over. I try and breathe, but I can’t. I have no clue what to do. They have made it so I’m trapped here with them, and they know it.
I slide down to the floor and clutch my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth. I can’t make my brain work and think of a way out. It’s all crazy up there.
There’s a tap at the door, making me jump back. No! One of them has found me already. The knock was almost playful, but even that sends a shiver down my spine because I already know who it is. “Come out, little darlin’. There is no need to run from us like a scared little rabbit, we’re not going to hurt you,” Cruz sing-songs, his voice playful.
I stay deadly quiet. He wasn’t right behind me. It has to be a lucky guess that he thinks I’m in here because there is no place else to hide on this floor. He couldn’t have seen me, could he?
“Little princess, it’s me, Cruz.” He taps again, his voice louder this time, more erratic. I guess it’s scary to lose something so valuable to their fucking bank accounts.
I close my eyes up tight and try not to even breathe so I don’t give myself away. I can’t go back to their apartment with them. I thought it was my safe place, that they would never hurt me, but I was wrong.
It sounds like he slides down to the floor, then the flick of a lighter and the distinct smell of cigarette smoke wafting under the door. Nice, he’s just going to sit out there and chill, smoking while I’m literally shaking with fear. “Okay then, if this is the way you want to do it, Daisy. I can wait out here all day.”
Fuck. I’m never getting out of here. I want to cry, but I’m too scared he will hear me.
“Why don’t we play a game?” he suggests.
My mouth pops open. Is he kidding me?
His fingers thrum on the door like he’s playing an instrument. “I think maybe truth or dare. It does happen to be a favorite of mine, and I’m sure yours as well?”
What the hell is he doing, talking to me through the door? I knew he was a little crazy or a lot crazy, but this is next level. The door isn’t locked, there was no way of locking it. He could open it up if he thinks I’m hiding inside. Why isn’t he just doing that and dragging me out of here?
“You can go first. Do you want truth or dare?” he asks, his voice way too playful for the tense situation. But this is Cruz. If I’m honest, it’s why I fell for him in the first place. He’s not like anyone I have ever met before, and that was alluring. Until I knew the damn truth.
Pain radiates through my chest. That thought only fills me with disappointment. I’m so stupid. Falling for him, falling for all of them, and thinking they actually wanted me back just the same. It’s desperate and sad. I say nothing. There is nothing I can say. The only sensible thing to do is pretend I’m not here.
“Darlin’, you know I can smell your fear. I know you're there,” he says like he’s reading my inner thoughts.
Tears choke up my throat, but I don’t let them out. I’m too scared to make a sound.
“Okay, let’s say truth. I feel like that would have been your first choice because we both know you like to play it safe, most of the time anyway.” A pause, like he’s thinking or waiting for me to respond. When I don’t, he talks again. “The truth I want from you is, why are you running from us?”
I don’t answer him, I can’t. He has to know I’m not that stupid.
“If you don’t give me the truth, I will have to make up my own conclusions.”
Deadly silence because there is no way I’m answering him.
“Let me guess, then.” He snaps his fingers, the sound making me flinch. “Might it have something to do with your brother turning up and demanding we hand you over to him? Is that what you saw on the video surveillance at Jagger’s club?”
What? Is that what happened? Fuck, my stomach churns, and sweat drips down off me everywhere. Not only is it a million degrees in the broom closet, but I also can’t stand this anymore. It’s the not knowing that’s killing me. Why was my brother at their club, and why did Jagger fight him? He said I can’t trust them, that I should run, but deep down in my heart, do I really think they would hurt me or is what Cruz saying closer to the truth and my brother was demanding they release me to him and they refused? And if so, why would they refuse?
“No response is confirmation. What I would like to know is, what did Dante tell you on that very brief call you made to him? Something likedon’t trust the brothers… Could that be why you’re running? He made you scared of us when all we want to do is help you?”
A whimper leaves my lips. I can’t help it. How did he know about the call? Were they watching me while I was in Jagger’s office, just like I was watching them?
He chuckles darkly, having way too much fun with this. “I’ll take your little cry as confirmation, darlin’. Now I guess it is my turn. And I’ll pick truth as well.”
He knows I’m here, there is no hiding it anymore. So, I take the chance to finally talk. “What do you want with me?” I gasp out my words, sounding almost crazy.
“Good girl, you’re finally coming to play. That’s easy. For you to be mine forever,” he says with way too much confidence. “I have from the first moment I saw you.”
My heart thuds with the strange sensation I get when I’m around him. But it’s a lie. “You can’t say shit like that when I know you’re about to sell me out.” My voice is barely a whisper, but I know he hears me.
“I would never sell you out, little darlin’.” There is a long pause before he says anything else. “Your turn again; what will it be?”
Never sell me out, my ass. All pretty words to trick me right up until they hand me over to whoever is paying them. “I’m not playing games with you, Cruz. Please, if you have any decency at all, just let me go.”
