Within seconds, I found an unlocked door leading outside. Either the three men were fools, which I doubted, or this was a trap. They’d known I would try to escape. Still, I had to try. I was hyped up on adrenaline and anger, which allowed me to ignore the continuous aches and pains even as I winced from the bright light of the sun. I tumbled out onto a gorgeous pathway, a stunning fountain smack in the middle. There were several pathways leading from the house. I just had to choose one.
I suddenly realized my coat and shoes had been removed. At least the monsters had allowed me to keep my jeans and sweater on. I finally scanned the area, realizing tropical foliage was everywhere. Huge palm trees. Hundreds of blooming shrubs and flowers. As I continued heading down the selected path, I finally turned in a full circle, trying to figure out how close one or all of them had gotten.
There was no sign of them.
My skin prickled, my heart thudding even more than it had before. Why did I feel like I was on a wild goose chase? The building I’d been staying in was absolutely gorgeous, Mediterranean in design, one building leading to another. Then another. And I could just catch a glimpse of several outer buildings. Cottages. Where in God’s name had they taken me?
What I didn’t see was a single other soul. Not one. I backed away, almost tripping over a portion of the pathway. This was crazy. The warm breeze was suddenly frigid, the entire situation something I had difficulty grasping. A little voice inside my head told me to keep moving. There had to be people somewhere.
Exhaustion was already settling in as the adrenaline flow ebbed, enough so I had to stop and rest, leaning against a tree.
And still not one of them had followed me.
Why did I feel like they’d wanted me to escape, so they could hunt me down like some animal? That’s exactly what they were doing. This was a game to them, just like the one I’d played. Shivering, I continued on, determined to find anyone who would help me escape the nightmare. I raced through a dense path of trees, no longer able to feel my legs. When I noticed a clearing, a rush of excitement flew into me.
I powered forward, able to jump over several areas of dense underbrush. Tree limbs snagged my hair, ripping away the clasps holding my bun in place, tearing holes in my sweater. Still, I continued forward, almost out of breath by the time I managed to burst into the sunshine. The view in front of me was incredible, turquoise waters rolling against a gorgeous beach. I was briefly mesmerized until I heard a noise.
Crack.
The single sound forced the fear of God into me. They’d found me. Before I had a chance to run in another direction, my foot became twisted in something. Within seconds, a maze of ropes pummeled against me, some mechanism hoisting me into the air. I was unable to keep a scream from erupting, the sound floating toward… the ocean. I’d been right. As the makeshift cage swung back and forth, twisting and turning from one direction to the other, I was able to gather a glimpse of the shoreline.
There were nothing but thick trees and white sandy beaches for as far as the eye could see. As the net continued to swing, I fought with it, trying to yank apart the weave of thick ropes to free myself. I only managed to become further ensnared. “Help me. Please, help me!” My scream was caught by the wind, dragged toward the water.
I’d never felt so helpless in my life.
The rope creaked as I remained hanging, every move I made tightening the confines. I could only imagine how many boobytraps had been created, the bastards refusing to allow me to escape. Only when my muscles ached to the point of pain did I stop fighting, easing down and leaning against one side of the ropes. I was at least twenty feet in the air, but that allowed me to gather even more of a sense of my location.
Whatever tropical location they’d brought me to, it wasn’t a typical tourist area crawling with people. They’d wanted me very much alone. Damn them.
After a few minutes, my breathing started to calm down, my pulse no longer racing. At some point they’d have to free me. Wouldn’t they? What if they didn’t, leaving me here to die? Panic swept in like a tidal wave, causing me to almost hyperventilate.They’d demanded to know who I was. What would it matter if I told them now?
No. No! I had to keep my resolve. There had to be a way out of this horrible situation.
A full five minutes passed. Then maybe ten more. There was no way to determine time. All I knew was that my legs were starting to cramp, and my mind was a huge blur of rage and terror.
Which was of course what they wanted.
At least fifteen additional minutes passed and not one of them had showed their face. I was starting to lose it, tears threatening to fall, giving away the fact that I was no professional. What the hell had I thought I was doing? On top of this horror, I hadn’t caused any permanent injuries. I was a damn failure.
That doesn’t mean you can’t try again.
The little voice in my head was right, but I couldn’t tell her that I had no stomach left for murder. I’d been a bigger fool to think I could become something I wasn’t. As a single tear finally slipped past my lashes, I closed my eyes. If only I had more memories of Garrison, but we’d spent limited time together. He’d been much older, certainly wanting nothing to do with me. I couldn’t blame him.
Then he’d gone on with his life after college, acting as if he could solve the world’s problems. It shouldn’t have been a shock when he’d been arrested, the loyalty he had for the other three stronger than any bond. It had nearly crushed me.
Hissing, I could do nothing but concentrate on my breathing, praying there’d be a way out of the nightmare.
“Well, what did our nets catch?” When I didn’t answer, he repeated himself. “Well?”
Alexander’s voice cut through the memories and the dull ringing in my ears. I snapped my head up, trying to twist the net in order to see him. It was ridiculous to think I could move the trap myself.
“Looks like a killing machine,” Brogan added.
“Maybe she’ll bargain for her release.” I was surprised at Daniel’s response, although there was no glee in his tone. In fact, quite the opposite.
“You’re crazy, all three of you.” I heard the ugliness in my tone and cringed. The worst thing I could do was egg them on, but it was my nature and had always been. I refused to succumb to their mental game of torture. They’d let me down for no other reason than they’d wanted to continue playing with me.
“That may be the case, Dahlia.” Alexander walked around the trap, heading closer to the shoreline, the other two following. All three men stood staring at the water, likely contemplating what horrors they’d inflict on me.
