His movements stopped, and I reached down for the bracelet around my ankle. It was a thin silver bracelet that was tight against the top of my ankle. I ran my finger around the outside of it. It was completely smooth, and there wasn’t a latch on it. Whatever had happened before, it had something to do with this ankle bracelet.
I yanked on it.
“Stop.” Sebastian’stonewas tense, but I ignoredhim.
I yanked again, and his hand was on my wrist, pulling it away. With my free hand I swung at his leg, and his hold released from my wrist. My motions felt a little delayed, and he stepped back before my punch could connect.
“Damn it,Selene,I’m trying to help you. Please just listen to me.”
“Help me?” I tried to make it soundderisive, but some of my fear creeped in.
My body felt like it was moving in slow motion, but I slowly stood up. He moved forward with a hand outreached.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I growled. This time the anger overruled the fear.
Never taking my eyes off him,Imoved backwards towards the window.Heremainedstillin the middle of the room, making no movement to cover the distance between us. Whenmy shoulders were pressed up against the cold window, he spoke again.
“I’m trying to make sure you don’t get yourself killed. If you manage to get that bracelet off, it’ll automatically deliver a lethal injection.”
My entire body tensed.
“What is this thing?” I asked.
I wasn’t sure why I even bothered asking him.It’d be stupid to trust anything that came out of his mouth. The‘lethal injection’could be a lie in order toencourageme not to takethe braceletoff. However, I was pretty sure the ankle bracelet had been what had knocked me out. If it could inject me with a strong sedative, it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility it could alsostingme with something more lethal.
Sebastianrubbedalarge hand against one of his eyes. “I’m not sure. I just need you to leave the bracelet alone.”
I searched his face for the lie, but he appeared exhaustedrather than deceitful. Purple circles were forming underneath his eyes. It made me wonder if he’d slept the night before. Yet looks could lie.“How did it knock me out?” I asked.
“My brother said that with a press of a button on his phone he can remotely knock you out, and also deliver a lethal injection. That’s all I got out of him,” hesaid with a sigh.
Great. I could say something to piss off Luca, and he could arbitrarily decide to kill me.Again, I wondered ifthe lethal injectionwas a lie to keep me in line… No. Luca wasn’t the type to threaten people without following through. And given the chance Luca would love the opportunity to press that button.
“Lucwanted to make sure you didn’t try to take me hostage again. I made him promise me he wouldn’t trigger it as long as my life wasn’t in danger,” Sebastian said.
Oh great, a promise from Luca. I’d definitely believe that.
“Why should I believe anythingyousay?” I asked. Not that I was in any position to be making demands.
“Can you give me some credit? I haven’t killed you, or turned you over to be tortured despiteyou takingme hostagebefore.”
I laughed darkly.“Do you want me to give you a gold star? You haven’t tortured or killed meyet. We should nominate you as Person of the Year.”
Sebastianstared down at me for a moment, his face expressionless. Finally hebroke the tense silence, “Are you feeling any pain? I can get you some painkillers.”
My head was killing me, but that likely had more to do with the doorframe that it’d smackedinto. Other than the general achiness I felt from my previous injuries Iwasfine. I swallowed. Okay, maybe a dry mouth on top of everything else.
“Our deal’s off,” I said. God, I can’t believe I ever agreed to stay here with him. I pushed off the wall and moved towards the door. “SinceI’m leaving, you can stop pretending like you care.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed.“If you walk out that dooryou’ll be at the mercy of anentire family who wants you dead.Not to mention the debt collectors. The only thing keeping you alive isme.”
My stomach dropped at the reminder of Ray. He warned me what would happen if I didn’t pay within 24 hours…. And on top of that Sebastian had informed his brother that I was more terrified of the debt collectors than anything. How could I have been so delusional yesterday? I’d stupidly started to let my guard down around him.
I wouldn’t be making that mistake again.
But Sebastian was right. The second I stepped outside his protection, his brother would torture me within an inch of my life. And I couldn’t exactly fight anyone when my movements were this delayed.
For one more night, I’d stay.
