Someone pounds on the front door.
Cormac looks up at the ceiling, frowning.
More pounding.The pounding stops, and footsteps sound above us.My Nove guards came inside.I can hear everything from down here.It makes me sick to think of what Cormac would have heard, day in and day out, while I was living my life in this house.All the sexual things I did with Seth and Damiano, not to mention the hopes and vulnerabilities I shared with them.He knows about all of it, just like he said.
It’s a huge violation—I feel so exposed.
“Ms.Greene?”a female voice calls out.
I try to respond, but only muffled noises can escape my gag.
“Quiet, Madison,” Cormac croons.“I really don’t want to hurt you, babe.”
He creeps up the rickety steps.Creak, creak, creak.Creak, creak, creak.I was hearing him, all those times the “house was settling.”I feel so stupid.
“Ms.Greene, it’s Hannah, with Nove.We’re concerned for your safety.”
I risk making sounds, rocking back and forth in the chair, trying to scream through the gag.
“Ms.Greene, is that you?”Hannah calls.
I start again, but Cormac rushes over and backhands me.My head knocks against the wall.I whimper in pain.The earlier smack against the wall upstairs, and now this one, have me reeling.Pain throbs, pulsing in time with my heartbeat.I just want to close my eyes and forget.
The footsteps upstairs get closer.Are they going into the kitchen?If they do, will they see the pantry?I know now why that shelf was always in disarray—there’s no way for Cormac to put it back in order once he comes into the hidden basement.
“Darn it.”He shakes his head.“I really don’t want to hurt you, babe.Please don’t make me.”
I blink slowly through the pain.Tears stream down my cheeks.Cormac reaches out and wipes one away before it can reach the fabric gag.
I can’t help my shudder of revulsion.
His gray eyes narrow in anger.“I want to take care of you, little girl.We were made for each other.I’ve watched you for weeks, months.I know everything you like, and I can be that for you.I know your music, your TV shows, what you like to eat and when.I could open a bottle of wine and put out bread and cheese every Monday while you watchFlesh and Teeth.I’d have your blanket ready for the parts that make you jump.”
I nod, like yes, this is all agreeable.I’d rather not argue with this absolute psycho in the flickering candlelight.
“And then,” he continues, “you can cuddle with me.”
No.No, I could never.Not him.
Soon enough, Hannah and her partner will find us down here.Seth and Damiano are already on their way; I’m certain of it.
“Ms.Greene?”Hannah calls again.
Cormac shakes his head.He goes to a crate next to the bed and pulls something out of it—a giant padlock.He takes it up the stairs with him and slips it over a metal latch before locking it in place.
“There.”He turns and smiles at me.“Now we can have some privacy.”
“Madison!”a loud voice carries through the ceiling.
My heart leaps.It’s Seth.He’s here, probably with Damiano.
I rock my chair back and forth again.I don’t care if Cormac hits me—I need my guys to know where I am.
“Madison?”Damiano’s voice calls out next.
Can they hear me?I stomp my feet against the hard, cement floor.It makes no sound, so I go back to rocking.I try to hit the wall with the chair back, to make the most noise.My arms get in the way, but I can handle a few bruises.
“Cut it out.”Cormac hurries over, fist raised.
