I can’t speak. The air in my lungs has disappeared, my body rigid as stone.
“Cat got your tongue?” His sinister grin makes the hair on my arms stand up.
Pushing past my fear, I clear my throat, willing my voice to stay steady. “What are you doing here?”
He smiles devilishly as I catch the glint of metal in his hand. In shock, I’d been completely focused on his face and never saw him pull the gun.
“Nap time, bitch.” He swings, slamming the butt of the gun against my temple.
Pain surges through my skull, and I lose focus as the world around me fades to darkness.
My head throbs as I attempt to open my eyes.
My eyelids didn’t get the memo and they’re not cooperating.
Everything hurts.
My skull. My brain. My ass.
“You weren’t supposed to injure her, you idiot. She’s my ticket to freedom, and you’ve hurt her. What do you think will happen when he sees her, bruised and bloody?” The deep male voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it right now. Even with my eyes closed, I feel dizzy and nauseous.
“Was I supposed to ask nicely? She hates me, and the feeling is fucking mutual. Did you think she’d come with me if I asked politely?”
Fucking Brian.
The agony in my head quickly morphs into a hot white rage for the piece of shit I used to be married to. It wasn’t enough I had to endure his bullshit while we were together, now he fucking kidnaps me.
I’ll kill him.
And I mean that with my whole fucking chest.
“It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done. Soon, Gabriel Layton will pay for the safe return of his woman, I will be free of the debt he caused. There’ll be plenty of money left over for a comfortable retirement for both me and you, nephew.”
It finally hits me.
That voice.
William Johnson.
What the fuck?
Is Brian William’s nephew? He never spoke of any uncles while we were together. This doesn’t make sense.
Confusion and fear settle in my gut as I realize mine and Gabe’s pasts have collided.
This can’t be real.
Please let this all be a nightmare.
Pushing past the pain in my head, and the unsurprising betrayal of my ex-husband, I pry my eyes open. A shudder passes through me as my gaze bounces between my two abductors.
“Ah, she’s awake. It’s so good to see you again, Brooke. I’m terribly sorry it’s under these circumstances. I know this is inconvenient, but please forgive me.” William bows his head, placing one hand against his abdomen as if he’s a gentleman.
Fucking weirdo.
He’s psychotic. His proper demeanor and articulate words do nothing to mask the monster inside him.
“Why?” I croak, my eyes darting around the cold room.
