"Noah isn't the worst man in the world. He's difficult at times. You're never going to really know what he's thinking, but he hasn't killed you yet, which I think we both have to take as a good sign."
"You say such comforting things."
"I know." She smirks and puts her head on my shoulder for a second before pulling away. "I don't think he has any actual intention of killing you. He wouldn't be dragging me here to see you if he did."
"What do you think he wants from this?"
"Don't know. Probably wants me to go back and tell Aiden that you're alive and not in the worst shape." Zoe pulls back further, looking over me. "And you look like he's been feeding you and not beating the hell out of you, which is a good thing."
"I thought he'd want to keep Aiden upset and worrying about me." I bite the inside of my cheek, staring at the doorway Noah left through.
Zoe would be the one who knows what he's up to the best, but it's still worrying. She doesn't sound like she's sure about what Noah is up to. More like she's sorting through all the options, thinking about a person she used to know and not the one that's alive now.
I swallow hard and run a hand through my hair. "Is Aiden going to try and get me out of here?"
She looks at me with sympathy in her eyes. "Not right away. Not after I tell him this, either. Attacking the house is too much of a risk, and it always has been. We need to come at this from a calculated angle, which means Noah needs to have you out in the open somewhere."
"I think I could get him to do that."
"Aiden does have people watching you, so it might be an option." She leans closer to me, her mouth close to my ear. "He's been trying to find a way to get you back, and after the auction, he's got a couple more people infiltrating the property and acting as guards."
I nod, taking in the information.
Aiden would send people I'd recognize, but ones that Noah wouldn't. If I can just figure out what shift those people are working on, then I should be able to escape while they're working.
Do I even still want to escape?
It's nothing more than a fleeting thought. One that shouldn't hold any weight, but it's not useless either.
I could do damage here. I could tear Noah apart from the inside. It'd be more than I've ever done for the family before.
But I don't want to do that either.
Zoe glances at the time on the stove. "I'm going to have to go soon, but I want you to know that we're going to find a way to bring you home. It just might take a little longer than it should."
I swallow hard, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "Tell everyone I love them, then. And tell Aiden not to do anything stupid. I can manage to stay alive here until he comes to get me."
"Anything else?"
I bite my bottom lip. "Noah and Robert are tense. I don't know what's happening, but I was supposed to be sold to Robert, and Noah drugged him. I haven't seen him since."
Zoe hums and holds me tight. "Don't trust Robert, and don't let anyone find this."
Her hand slips beneath my shirt, the cool plastic of a phone pressing against my skin as she tucks it into my waistband.
I swallow hard, letting the shirt fall down as my gaze connects with hers.
This is dangerous, but at least I can contact my family if things get really bad. I have an option.
It's more than I had a few minutes ago.
She steps away and gives me a warm smile.
The first tear slips down the side of my face as I walk with her to the doorway, Noah appearing out of thin air at the end of the hall.
He motions for her to come with him without a word, and she does.
They turn a corner in the hall.
