Willy stuck his hands in the pockets of his linen pants and paced to the open sliding door. “You might be right,” he said wistfully, as if he knew his time was nearing an end. “I’ve had my men watching you. I know the guy you brought to the office the other day is some kind of ex-military buffoon.”
“He’s a hundred times the man you’ll ever be,” she spat. Atlas would also tear Willy to shreds if—no, when—he got his hands on him, but self-preservation made her clamp her lips shut before she uttered those words.
He chortled. “Spoken like a smitten woman. It’s too bad, really. We would’ve hit it off.” His voice took on a distant, far-off sound.
Molly bristled. “What are you talking about?”
He turned to face her and grinned. “When you started working for me, I was attracted to you. Did you know that?”
Repulsion pulled her shoulder blades together. She kept her lips tight, refusing to show her fear.
“You’re pretty. Young. Women who look like you”—he stroked his finger over her cheek—“are worth a lot of money.”
She drew back her head. “You’re sick.”
“No, I’m a businessman. I have no doubt Rex would’ve done the same thing.”
She exhaled hot air through her nose and clenched her teeth. Rex’s threat had been much the same.
I’ll die before I let you sell me.
She’d never considered self-harm, but she wouldn’t stand to be raped, sold, and drugged for the rest of her days.
“You’re a pig,” she hissed. “Atlas will find you, and when he does?—”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You don’t even know where you are, do you?” he said tauntingly, as if she didn’t understand her ABCs.
He seized her arm, hauling her to her feet. His grip punctured her bicep as he brought her as close to the sliding door as the handcuffs would allow. Ripping open the curtain, he gestured out the window.
“We’re on my private island, sweetie. Twenty-five acres of lush land. We’re forty miles from the city. Only reachable by plane or boat, both of which we’ll see and hear coming. I’ve got men guarding this sanctuary. No one’s coming in our direction without being shot.” He grinned again.
A tremble shook her shoulders. She stared out of the window. The ocean lapped and crashed below them. Dread struck a chord deep in her heart.
“See, Molly? I wasn’t kidding. You’re stuck with me.” He let out a ruthless laugh.
Her knees trembled. She retreated until the backs of her legs hit the bed.
Atlas would never find her.
Atlas rushed alongside Reaper. Wraith was between them, his arms draped over their shoulders. They entered the emergency room, and a nurse spotted them and rolled a wheelchair forward.
Wraith was taken into the back. Before his friend disappeared from view, Atlas caught a final glimpse of his grayish white skin and drooping eyes.
Reaper gripped his shoulder, anchoring him. “Go. Viper’s waiting for you. You’ll find her.”
“All right. Stay here and keep me updated on Wraith’s situation.”
“Got it. But Molly’s what matters right now.”
He gave a brisk nod. Gratitude filled him, but he didn’t know how to thank his friend for his understanding. He hadn’t always been as close with Reaper as he had with Rogue and Viper, but the more time he spent with him, the more the man grew on him.
“Thanks” was all he could muster.
He stalked down the hall and exited through the automatic doors. Viper’s SUV idled near the curb. He jogged to the vehicle and hopped in the front passenger seat. After digging his phone from his pocket, he checked the screen for the twentieth time since they’d landed.
“Anything?” Viper asked.
His heart constricted. “Nothing.”
