I can’t make out who it is.
My heart pounds in my chest.
Sophia.
I have to get to her. And fast.
21
SOPHIA
I wake up slowly, the moon bright through the windowpane. I sit up pouting because Luca isn’t there. I don’t know why I’m surprised.
The fact that he stayed with me at all last night is the surprising part.
I guess I thought waking up next to him would be nice.
I shake my head to clear it. I’m thinking crazy again, all because he touched me the way I wanted him to. It’s like I’m hypnotized by all the orgasms he gives me. That has to be it.
How long have I been here? Three days? Four? Has it already been five? It feels like the hours are blurring together, especially since I’ve been sleeping during the day. How long before I completely lose count?
Will Scott tell Rosa I loved her? Will he tell her how hard I fought for her?
My lip trembles and I sit up, stretching. I feel clean, at least, and more relaxed than I have since I arrived here. The sweatsthat Diego gave me don’t quite fit, but I’ve tied the drawstring so they won’t fall off. And the t-shirt is comfortable, oversized but comfortable.
I wonder if they’re Luca’s clothes and a shiver runs down my spine. They’re freshly laundered so they just smell clean, not like him. Maybe that’s for the best.
I don’t know how I’d act wearing clothes that smelled like Luca.
Probably like a high school girl with a crush. Disgusting.
I stand up, pacing around the room for a little exercise. Things have been so crazy, and I have plenty of pent-up nervous energy. I pace until I feel tired and then sit down, breathing hard. I guess I could do push-ups or something. Sit-ups. I wrinkle my nose. I never was much for exercise other than cardio.
I peer out the blinds. Outside it’s dark except for the moonlight, and there’s no car in the driveway. I frown. Does that mean I’m here alone?
My heart races with excitement. Could I actually try and escape now? I go to the window, trying to pry it up, but it has been painted shut. I huff out a breath, defeated. I take out a bobby pin front my pixie cut and kneel on the floor, working at the deadbolt.
Nothing.
It doesn’t move a millimeter.
This place doesn’t look like a safehouse, doesn’t feel like one except for the deadbolt, but it’s clearly meant to keep people in. Or out, I suppose.
“Diego?” I call, just in case. “Luca?”
No answer. They’re gone. I’m really here alone, and there’s still no way out. I groan and plop down on my back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
The ceiling fan goes around and around and around.
I’m going to lose my mind just stuck here with my own thoughts all the time. I sit bolt upright, realizing.
What if they’re both gone because Luca’s been arrested? Would Scott put out a warrant on him? Would he testify?
My heart gallops away in my chest and I’d like to think I’m excited. But the thought of Luca rotting away in prison doesn’t bring me joy and excitement. All I feel is…fear.
Not that he’ll get out and come looking for me. No, nothing as simple as that. But because he’s Rosa’s father, and even with all he’s done to me, how he’s kidnapped me, that still means something to me.
The car engine is loud when it pulls up and I startle, jumping on the bed slightly. It has to be Luca or Diego.
