I whimper at the thought, even though no one would know it. My mouth is still covered with duct tape. I twist my hands, trying to get loose, but it’s not possible.
A phone rings, and one of them picks it up. “What?” His eyes widen. “Fuck. Shit. Damn it.” He hangs up the phone. “We gotta go. They’re on to us and on the way here.”
The other stands up. “We can’t just leave her here. She knows what we look like.”
I shake my head side to side, trying to tell them I won’t say anything, but they ignore me.
“Plan B,” one says, and there’s a silence between them before they both nod.
One walks out of the room and then comes back, carrying a gas can.
I start bouncing in my seat as much as I can while being tethered to it. I’m screaming, but it’s so muffled, it’s like I’m not saying a word.
The one starts pouring gasoline over everything. When the can is empty, they toss it across the room, hitting a wall. “Do it, let’s go,” he hollers.
The other one lights a match, and seconds later, the room fills with flames and the men leave.
I try to stand up, but they tied me to the seat. I have to get out of here.
I topple over and try to get up on my knees with the chair strapped to my back. I try to crawl, to move, but I can’t. Every time I think I’m making traction, I realize I haven’t moved anywhere.
The flames are getting closer, and I don’t want to give up, but I don’t know what else I can do.
That’s when I hear it. “Luna!” Cole bellows.
I try to scream back, but nothing but mumbles come out.
I want to tell him to get out while he can, but I can’t.
I’m looking through the smoke when suddenly I’m lifted up, chair and all, and carried through the burning building.
As soon as we get outside, Cole sets me down and wraps his arms around me.
“Oh my God, I thought I lost you. I thought…”
His voice drops, and he holds me tighter.
I mumble through the tape, and he leans back to look at me.
He pulls the tape from my mouth slowly, flinching when he sees he’s inflicting pain on me.
When I’m finally free, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “You came.”
He nods. “Of course, I came. You’re going to be my wife.”
I nod and try to hide my disappointment. I’m not sure what I expected, but I had hoped that he would say something about his feelings for me. I want his love more than anything.
“She okay?” Bennett asks.
Robert comes to stand before me. “Yes, she’s okay. She’s going to be a Kingston. She’s tough.”
Instead of answering, I ask, “Can you untie me?”
Cole nods and pulls a knife from his pocket. While he cuts me loose, Bennett nods. “Stone and the guys got Chris and Jess.”
“Hold them,” Cole says angrily. “I want to take care of them.”
My hands are loose. “Please, don’t leave me.”
