Page 28 of Stalked By Raiden

I’ll kill the sonofabitch. It’s not enough that he killed my brother. Now, he has my only reason for living in his clutches.

“I mean it,” I reiterate when no one answers.

Roman replies quietly. “We know.”

Royal slides a tablet across the table, displaying the property layout. “Security cameras here… front gate… rear entrance…” He circles another section. “There’s a service entrance on the east side.”

“Blind spot?” I ask.

“Thirty-eight seconds every rotation,” Royal confirms.

River shrugs into his tactical vest. “That’s our way in.”

Roman checks the magazine in his sidearm, then secures it. “I’ll cover the rear.”

Royal pulls the camera feeds onto his center screen and drops into his chair. “I’ll stay on comms.”

I reach for my own gear. Every movement feels automatic. The familiar routine steadies my breathing. Only slightly.

As we head toward the stairs, River stops beside me. “We’ll bring her home.”

I nod once, and he files out.

Chapter Eight

Elodie

I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Minutes. Hours.

Time has stopped making sense.

The room smells of mildew and old wood. A single bare bulb hangs from the ceiling, swaying ever so slightly whenever footsteps echo through the house. My wrists ache where rough rope bites into my skin, secured tightly behind the back of a wooden chair.

My ankles are tied to its legs, leaving me almost completely immobile. Every breath catches against the cloth gag knotted behind my head. I’m trying not to panic. But every time I hear a floorboard creak outside the room, my heart starts racing all over again.

I should have called Raiden. The thought loops endlessly through my mind. Now, I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.

The bedroom door opens. I flinch before I can stop myself. Drake strolls inside as though he’s entering a hotel suite instead of a room where a woman is tied to a chair against her will.

The two men I’d seen around him before remain just outside the doorway, watching me with detached expressions.

Drake sighs dramatically. “It really didn’t have to be like this, Elodie.” His voice is calm. Almost disappointed. “You could’ve saved yourself all this.” He walks slowly around me.

“I asked you to dinner.” He stops beside my shoulder. “You said no.”

His fingers brush a strand of my hair away from my face. I recoil as far as the ropes allow.

His smile widens. “I sent flowers.”

I squeeze my eyes shut.

“I sent notes.”

Silence.

“You ignored every single one.” He crouches until we’re eye level. “And then—” His smile disappears. “You chose him.”

My stomach drops.