Languidness leaves my muscles relaxed as I look for the bathroom. Sex with Josh always does that to me. It’s better than any drug and far more addictive.
I spot the bathroom, then grimace at the line. It’s worse than an airport on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Am I going to be able to pee before the intermission ends?
After several minutes, the line has barely moved. I pull out my phone from the clutch to check the time. I have twelve minutes. Guess I’ll have to miss part of the second act. There’s no way I’ll be able to get through another hour and fifteen minutes without using the bathroom.
“Pretty crowded, huh? You’d think they’d open another bathroom for us ladies.”
The voice is friendly and warm. Normally it’d make me smile and respond in kind. However, all the effervescent bliss drains away, replaced by bone-chilling shock.
I turn slowly, willing it to be anybody but…
“Zoe?” I whisper.
She smiles. “Hello. Big opera fan?”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Josh
I stretch my neck in the box, very aware of the satisfied grin on my face. Bringing Klein here was a great decision. I’m so proud of the way she handled herself against Katt and Coco.
She has the kind of gentle soul that everyone strives for. It’s what makes her rare and precious, even if she doesn’t realize it. But she’s come a long way since our video went viral, and the surge in her confidence is amazing.
Her staking her claim in front of these women set my blood on fire. If it hadn’t been for the fact that the performance was about to start and we needed to take our seats, I might’ve dragged her back to the limo and fucked her right then.
But it was actually better in the box. So in a way, I got what I wanted. We both did, based on the desperate way her pussy milked my cock.
I head out to grab a bottle of white wine for Klein in case she’s thirsty. The lights in the lobby flicker twice, to alert everyone that intermission is about to end. Unfortunately, Klein is nowhere to be found. Just how bad is the line at the bathroom? I spot Elizabeth coming from the direction of the ladies’ room and approach her.
“Have you seen Klein?” Then I remember that she might not know who I’m talking about. “Ailee. My fiancée.”
She shakes her head. “No. Why?”
“She went to the bathroom, but hasn’t come back.”
“That’s strange. I was one of the last ones in there.”
Unease settles over me.
“Did you try calling her?”
I pull out my phone and call Klein’s number. It rings a few times, then goes to voicemail. I shake my head.
“That’s odd. Maybe she got talking to someone and lost track of time?”
“Yeah. Maybe.” Even as I say it, I know Klein isn’t gossiping with anybody. Other than Elizabeth, Barron, Coco and her shitty sister, she doesn’t really seem to know anybody here. Not only that, charity operas aren’t her scene.
Apprehension rears its ugly head, but I shove it aside. Needless panic won’t do any good. I text Klein.
–Me: Where are you? Are you okay?
I wait a few moments. Nothing.
Dammit.I head back to our box, in case her phone battery died and she’s already there. I really hope it’s something as benign as that.
My phone buzzes against my chest. I pull it out, then exhale with relief when I see a text from Klein. She sent a photo. I tap to open it.
My blood turns to ice. It’s not a cute selfie or something pretty she saw and wanted to share with me. It’s her strapped to a chair with her hands behind her back and ankles tied to the legs. Her mouth is stuffed with a ball, and a long strip of cloth around her head keeps it in, effectively gagging her. Her eyes are wide and glazed with terror.
