“Ugh,” I growl under my breath, hitting the wooden door with my fist.
As if on cue, footsteps fall right outside the door at the bottom of the staircase, and my pulse jumps at the same time as my feet. With each step, I scramble up the stairs with my heart lurking further into my esophagus. Flinging myself around the banister and over to the bedside table, I seize the fork next to my untouched bowl of drying fruit. It’s a pitiful weapon choice, but at least it’s something.
The door opens and closes a second later, the stairs creaking under the individual’s weight. Except it’s not as loud andboisterous as when the twins left me this morning. It’s softer. Delicate.
I back my body against the window as a head of straight, long brown hair seizes my attention. A face comes into view that halts my breathing. The girl’s gaze finds mine, and her rosy lips pull up into a genuine smile. When she’s at the top of the stairs, I take in her emerald-green tank top and ripped skinny jeans.
She’s younger than me, judging by her flawless skin and kind green eyes.
My hand lowers with the fork, but I’m still on guard.
She scans my body in my shorts and flannel, and for some reason, her focus on me makes me feel vulnerable and bare.
“Hi, Taryn.” Her soft greeting only increases the rapid pace of my overworking heart.
I stand before her, unmoving. “Um…hi,” I stutter.
Her gaze drops to the fork in my hand, and she smirks. “Nice weapon, though I’m sure it wouldn’t have done much good.”
My fist grips the metal tighter.
I don’t have many options in here, bitch.
She folds her hands in front of her, and I look her over again, my muscles tightening a little more.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, “did they abduct you too?”
Her burst of laughter heats everything under my skin. “Definitely not! I’m afraid you’re the first victim my brothers have brought here—and you’ll be the only one.”
My shoulders fall. “Brothers?”
“Cameron, Brennan, and Colten. Can’t say I was fully on board with this plan, but when they see something they like and something they want, well…” Her confession makes me swallow. “It’s hard to convince them otherwise.”
The silence hangs between us, the air so heavy that I’m fighting to get any oxygen into my shriveled lungs.
“I’m Jessica,” she smiles. “But you can call me Jess.”
You have some pretty messed-up-in-the-head brothers, Jess.
“So, are you their little messenger or something?” I wave a finger over her figure. “The one they sent to convince me that everything will be okay if I listen to their rules and don’t run.”
“Yes and no,” she answers.
“I’m sorry,Jessica.” Her name spews out of my mouth like it tastes horrific on my tongue. “It’s going to take a lot more than sending their sister to calm me down after being drugged and kidnapped from a bar.”
She grins.
She grins at me as if she finds me amusing and watching me spiral is the most entertaining thing. Like I’m a little caged animal she and her brothers get to observe through the glass, waiting for the moment I’m docile enough to play with.
“Now I know why they haven’t been able to stop talking about you since they chose you. You’re fiery.”
I narrow my eyes.I’ll show them fiery.
“Chose me? What does that even mean?” I ask firmly.
She shrugs. “My brothers aren’t impulsive. They think through their moves. Study…watch. Then, strike when all the pieces finally click, and there’s little room for error. Especially Colten. They’re smart and have been very patient until you came along a month ago.”
“In a few days, someone is going to notice I’m mis—”
