“Let’s just call it a vacation, you’ll be home in no time as long as your little boyfriend cooperates.” He finished with a menacing chuckle. A chill ran down my spine at the mention of his name.
“Cooporate?”
“Yes, we’ve got big plans for him, that one. He’s been on my boss’s radar for many years. Twelve to be exact.” He sighed loudly after finishing the sentence.
“Imagine, after twelve years finally seeking revenge?” He looked up at the ceiling as if he were imagining just that.
“W…w..what do I have to do with this revenge?” I tried to sound unfazed but my words betrayed me when they came out on a stutter.
“Well if all goes to plan nothing but a scare tactic.” He shrugged and threw one hand in the air in dismissal.
“But, if he doesn’t play along like a good boy, then things could get very…complicated.” He said the last part slowly as he glanced in my direction.
His eyes slowly scaled my body as he licked his lips. He walked in a circle around me, hiding his eyes, he let out a creepy, ‘mmmm,’ as his gaze attempted to dominate me. He was going to have to try a lot harder to get me to crack. I might look like an innocent creature, but this mind is wickedly sharp. I watched him expressionlessly, refusing to give him any satisfaction of knowing he was intimidating me.
After one slow circle around me, making his gross moaning sound the whole time, he stopped in front of me. His eyes staring into mine, he dropped his floppy, ugly hand to his groin area where he adjusted himself after undressing me with his eyes. My thoughts were still and my body was tense, but I kept my breathing steady. This idiot was messing with the wrong woman.
“I can see what Dallas likes about you, you’re meek. Like a scared littlekitten.”
He slowly enunciated the word ‘kitten’ as his stare burned into me, keeping his eyes locked on mine like some sort of a weird stare down. His attempt at making me feel uncomfortable was becoming more laughable with his every action. Dallas will have a field day with thisloser when he gets his hands on him…
“Well, anyway, let’s get you settled, shall we?” He walked over, opening a small door that I had noticed earlier when I had scoped the room out. Because of the size of the door frame, I had mistaken it for a closet. It was a bathroom with a shower in it. The toilet was covered in brown mildew. Clearly, this place had been vacant for a long while before we got here.
“This is your bathroom for the time being. The toilet doesn’t flush so please, liquids only.”
The smell coming from inside was bad enough to make me want to pick a corner and use it instead. He turned and pointed at the sofa, “That thing turns into a bed, but be careful when you open it. There could be something living in there.”
Lets go get my girl…
Dallas
“What do you mean, ‘It’s been wiped clean!” I screamed into the camera monitor that Enzo claimed only minutes ago contained the footage of Delaney being kidnapped.
I took a deep breath to calm myself. “This asshole has Delaney and you’re telling me we have no idea where he has taken her?”
“Sir, he couldn’t have gone far because from what I can tell there was only a three mile radius that the modifications of the footage were made,”
“What does that mean?” I snapped. Frustration building with every second that passed. I hated when he spoke that cryptic techy stuff to me.
“It means, anything outside of three miles, I would have been able to find them, so she has to be close by.”
Seconds of silence pierced the air before a loud ding sounded, breaking the quiet. I pulled my cell out, a message from anotherunknown number.
“You really shouldn’t leave your toys unattended.”
A second text showed a picture of Delaney, still and with her eyes closed, laying on a dirty looking sofa. She looked peaceful.Almost too peaceful.
I was furious at the possibility of another man even putting his hands on her. She was supposed to be safe under my protection – and I failed her. I let that disgusting excuse of a man get to her.
How could I let this happen?!
Just before my rage boiled over to action, another message came through.
‘She’s safe for now, but only if you comply with my demands. Should you disobey, there will be yet another innocent soul lost to your poor decision making. I couldn’t imagine what that might do to your conscience.’
Those words hit me hard as the image of Natalie’s smiling face filled my mind then faded to the thought of Delaney’s face. I was overcome with the fear of losing Delaney as my heart felt the familiar pang of pain from Natalie’s memory.
This was no longer about getting back at Teddy. Getting Delaney back in my arms safely, that is what’s important. Teddy will get what he deserves eventually. I’ll make damn sure of that.
