Because Stephen is dead.
Without permission, a loud sob escapes my lips.
My brother, my best friend, isn’t alive to save me.
I’ll never see him again.
And according to the man who admitted to killing him, he wasa corrupt cop with a gambling problem.
None of it makes any sense.
Through my lashes, I steal a peek at Ethan to see what he’s doing, trying to decipher where his head’s at. His gaze sears into me, making me feel dizzy and disoriented. The way he looks at me has me confused. I close my eyes, needing a moment to gather my thoughts and feelings, trying to make sense of the sensations he’s invoking within me. It started the night at the club when we kissed and has gotten stronger the more I think about him. I should be associating him with the man who took me. I should be scared for my life. But for some crazy reason, I think I might trust him.
Ethan lifts my left hand and gazes at the silver cross ring I have on my ring finger. The ring my mom gave me the day of my Confirmation.
“You’re praying to a God who has left you to fend for yourself.” He chuckles softly, but it comes out almost sad as he lets go of my hand and brushes his thumb down the side of my cheek. “In your time of need he’s nowhere to be found.”
He’s assuming, because my head was down, I was praying, and up until recently, his accusation would be spot-on. But now he’s wrong…
“For your information,” I hiss, whipping my face to the side so his hand is no longer touching my flesh. “I wasn’t praying. Besides, between the two of us, I’m pretty sure you’re the one who would need the saving.” If he’s working with the man who took me, he better start praying, because there’s no way God is letting him anywhere near the gates of heaven.
Ethan stands and peers down at me, making me feel small andweak, two emotions I can’t afford to feel right now. “Well, let your God know he’s wasting his time. I can’t be saved.”
He’s no longer my God,I think, but don’t bother to say.
As Ethan reaches to help me up, I quickly formulate a plan—fight-or-flight—I’m going for both. Sure, there’s a chance he’s here to save me, but what if he’s not?
I lace my hands in his, and he pulls me up. Without giving him any indication as to what I’m about to do, I bring my knee up and connect with his groin with every ounce of strength I have in me, preparing to run as soon as he stumbles back.
Only, unlike the other guy, he doesn’t stumble. He grabs my arms with one of his strong hands and pushes me against the wall, bringing my hands over my head. His entire body presses against mine, caging me in. With his body so close, his hardness rubs against my lower stomach.
I freeze, knowing I have no way to run. Nowhere to go. This man is stronger than I am. He’s like a snake, distracting me with his beauty, only to bite me when I least expect it. The fear I felt when I was taken is back in full swing. Ethan is even more of a threat than the one who took me, because when I’m around him, I can’t think. I become vulnerable. My body breaks out into a cold sweat at this realization. I thought I could fight, but I never stood a chance.
Ethan gives me a half-smirk as if he can read my mind. Then he leans into me, his cool breath hitting my ear. “Are you going to behave, Angel?”
A chill runs down my spine. “Yes,” I whisper. “Please just let me go. I won’t tell anyone anything. I promise.”
“What’s there to tell?”
I shake my head, wondering if I’ve dug myself a bigger hole than I’m already in. My arms are starting to burn where he still has them pinned above my head.
“I asked you a question.” His hold on my wrists tightens, and his grip ignites the pain from the rope burn, causing me to flinch.
“You’re hurting me,” I whimper.
Thankfully, at my words, Ethan yanks down my arms and releases me. “Answer my question. What do you know?” His eyes are ice-cold and demanding. When it’s clear I’m not going to say anything, he says, “Fine, I guess I’ll have to tie you back up.”
There’s no way I’m going to let him do that. I need to fight, and I need to fight hard, so I can get out of here.
As if my brother is with me, I hear him murmur the words he said to me the other night:Live hard. Love harder.
I can’t live and love if I’m trapped here, or killed, or worse, sold to the highest bidder.
I have an entire list of things I want to experience. A life I’ve barely even begun to live.
I only have one option: Fight. Fight, and then run for my life.
Without warning, I drive my elbow into Ethan’s stomach. My little stunt surprises him, and he stumbles back, giving me enough room to dart past him and run for the open door he came through a few minutes ago. My heart is thrashing against my chest, and I feel the storm chasing me, but I still have hope. For a second, I think maybe I’m going to make it. I’m going to get away. But the thought ends too quickly when Ethan grabs me by my waist and pulls me to him. My back slams into his hard chest as he drags me back to the spot where he first untied me. And with every step we take, I loseanother slice of hope that I’m going to make it out of this mess.
