“It’s going to be all right, Zena.” I kicked myself for making a promise I had no idea I could keep. “I’ll talk to Loren—”
“Please, Ray, just do as they say. Don’t even try talking to them. Promise?”
I couldn’t make any promises. “Get some sleep, okay?”
She moved to hug me, and the driver stepped in between, shaking his head. Blowing out a frustrated breath to keep from lunging at him, I offered her the best smile I could muster. “We’ll be fine.”
“Come now, boy.” He touched my arm, and I was grateful he wasn’t yanking me from her like I’d seen in a million captive movies.
I followed him, after he locked her door, into a room across the hallway. Even though I heard the key turn in the lock on my door, I still tried the handle. Raking a hand through my hair, I glanced around the room, taking in the dark curtains, wall-to-wall closet, charcoal carpet and a massive bed dressed in black bedding. I moved to the floor to ceiling windows that spanned one wall and glanced out. While there were no security bars hindering my attempt to escape, two burly, black-suited men stood outside. Even if I could take down one of them, the other would subdue me easily.
Puffing out my cheeks on a frustrated exhale, I backed away from the window. Unsure what they intended to do with us, I toed off one shoe then the other and flopped back on the bed. I stared at the ceiling, wondering how the fuck I’d landed in this situation. We’d been kidnapped and I had no way of letting my friends or my family know.
Chapter 8
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RAYDEN (18YRS)
I came to with a start, my eyes opening as the events of the evening, crammed every brain cell in a rush. The force of what happened to us, hit me full blast and I knew I was close to another panic attack when my chest began tightening again. Sitting up, I covered my face with both my hands and gave myself a silent pep talk while pulling in deep breaths. I had two choices. Sit around and do fuck all or find a way to get out. I dropped my hands and rolled my neck to ease the tension that I knew was there to stay until I could go home. Home. That place seemed like a million miles away, given I had no fucking clue where the hell I was.
Glancing out the window, taking in the evening sky outside, I cursed, “fuck.” How did I pass out for almost the whole day? Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I moved to stand and noticed the tray on the bedside table with a tall glass of milk and a covered plate. I lifted the lid to find a cold turkey sandwich and a slice of chocolate cake. I shook my head. What did they think I was, a small boy they could pacify with cake and milk? My stomach growled but I couldn’t eat.
Ignoring the food, I slipped my feet into my shoes and strolled into the bathroom. A huge one with the same matching décor as the rest of the house, a shower large enough to fit two people comfortably and a sunken bath. Done using the toilet, I moved over to the sink to wash my hands. My gaze fell to the items sitting on the shelves and I stilled my movements. A man’s cologne, aftershave and scented soap caught my attention. Whose bathroom was this? I brought the cologne to my nose and sniffed the familiar scent. Lorenzo. I’d gotten a whiff of his cologne when he almost cut off the air supply to my lungs outside the club. If I was in his room, in whose room had they locked Zena? Remo?
Shit. I had to get out of here.
I glanced around, noting the open window for the first time. Looking out, I chewed my lip. It seemed to be on the other side to where those two men stood, unguarded and big enough for me to fit through. Glancing over my shoulder quickly, I climbed out and dropped to the ground. Thick grass soaked up my footfalls. I stood there for a moment debating my next move. I had to get help. Leaving Zena behind was a risk I had to take. Once I was out of there, I’d come back with help. I crept along the wall that fenced off the property, looking for an easy way over.
Maybe my decision was rash, maybe not but sitting around doing nothing was more nerve-wracking than attempting an escape. I hadn’t thought this through properly, because once I was over the wall, I had no idea where to go. The only thing I knew for sure, was I had to try. When I reached the edge of the property, I spotted a large tree. It took several minutes before I could get a good footing, test each branch so it didn’t break under my weight and maneuver myself over the wall. I didn’t hesitate to drop to the ground.
“Fuck,” I cursed, wincing as my left leg folded under me. Giving it a quick massage, I tested it by taking a few steps. Pain shot up from my ankle to my knee. I’d probably twisted it but ignoring the ache, I glanced around with a groan. The estate was the only property I could see on the road. Choosing a direction, I limped away as quickly as my aching leg could. I barely made it around a corner when car lights flashed behind me.
Panic immediately thickened the air in my chest when I turned and took note of the vehicle approaching me. Even under the dim street lights it was hard to miss the silver Lamborghini Veneno belonging to Lorenzo. Any guy my age, kidnapped or not, would be impressed with the sleek, limited edition vehicle. It spoke volumes about its owner, my captor. I hardly knew him but there were a few things I picked up on. He was a classy man who embraced style, commanded respect without effort, seriously fucking rich and no fucks to give about the way he lived his life.
The car slowed to a stop and the passenger door opened. “Get in,” he demanded, his face shrouded in darkness. Instead of giving in to the fear inflicting serious heart palpitations in my chest, I stood my ground. I tried to put on a brave face when he leaned forward and his blue eyes, piercing and intense, glared at me. Still, I refused to get in and even tried to walk away. He must have seen me limping because he made no move to get out, but his voice, lined with steel echoed from the car. “Rayden,” he warned. “Don’t make me ask twice. Trust me, you don’t want to know the repercussions if I do.”
