The sound of the lock rattling awakened me. Without any windows, the room had gone pitch black, which meant the sun had set. Heart thudding, I jumped to my feet.
Jason walked in, flipped on the light, and closed the door behind him. He was holding a jumbo iced soda and a paper bag sagging with the unmistakable shape of a foot-long sandwich. He looked me up and down, as if halfway surprised to see that I hadn’t magically escaped.
I realized, then, that I was standing there in only a sweater and underwear. I snatched up the blanket and wrapped it around my legs like a skirt.
“Relax,” he said with a snort. “You’re not my type.”
Yes, because why on earth would it cross my mind that aman who’d drug and tie up a woman might also be a rapist? So sorry to offend you, honorable kidnapper.
I threw on the sweatsuit while Jason pretended to be interested in a hangnail on his index finger. I noted that he was wearing a wedding ring, which I found reassuring, though it wasn’t like married men weren’t capable of hurting women.
When I was dressed, he thrust the bag and the soda at me. “Here,” he said. “I know some girls are picky about what they eat. I don’t know if you’re a vegetarian or what, but I got you tuna. There’s a couple chocolate chip cookies in the bag. I’ll see if I can bring you some books tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Jason,” I beamed. I figured being polite to my captor could only help my cause. Maybe I could sweet-talk him into letting me go, because no way could I overpower him with the good hundred pounds he had on me.
“Yeah,” he growled. He wouldn’t make eye contact, which led me to believe he’d already decided he wasn’t going to get chummy or form any sort of bond with me. Another bad sign.
He picked up my clothes and shoes and turned to leave.
Quickly, I asked, “How long will they keep me here?” I purposely used the termtheyoveryou,so Jason would know that I didn’t thinkhewas the one holding me captive. No siree, it was all my great-grandparents. Jason, nice guy that he was, wouldneverdo such a thing.
He shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“Do you share Richard and Maxine’s beliefs about, um, stuff?” I asked to discern how much he knew about vampires.
“Girlie, the only thing I share with those people is my bank account information, so they can pay me.”
There it was. The man was simply there to do a job. He didn’t care about anything else: vampires, the Nolans, me.
“Did they tell you I’m related to them?”
His back straightened. “You’re lying.”
“I’m their great-granddaughter.”
He shook his head but said nothing.
“They’re going to kill me once they get what they want, aren’t they?”
Still, Jason didn’t speak, but now he’d stopped shaking his head.
19
Richard and Maxine paid me a visit the next morning.
As Richard held the door open for Maxine, I thought how easy it would be to overpower these frail old people. I’d probably end up breaking their hips in the process, which I’d be okay with if push came to shove, though it would also make me feel icky. I imagined it would sound like silver balls cracking together on those tiny pendulums people kept on their desks, a sound I’d probably never forget.
Richard seemed to be reading my mind. “You can try to make a run for it, Olivia, but I assure you Jason is standing by.”
To confirm, Jason poked his head in and gave me a two-fingered wave. “Yo.”
“How did you sleep?” Maxine asked, as if I was a guest in their home.
She handed me an iced coffee in a plastic container. It didn’t go unnoticed that my drink wasn’t hot or in an actual mug. They probably worried that I’d throw scolding coffee in their faces or break the mug and shank them with the shards.
“I’d prefer to sleep in my own bed, thanks,” I snapped.
“Now, Great-Granddaughter, let’s not pretend this is anyone’s fault but your own,” Richard patronized.
