Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Maybe Grace and I should run away?
I stop in front of the window and stare out over the backyard while my mind rushes from one idea to the next.
I hear movement behind me, and thinking it’s Grace, I swing around to ask her how the meeting went. I swallow the question when I see Nolan, one of our guards, shutting the door behind him.
What is he doing here?
Nolan’s only worked for us for three months, so I don’t know much about him besides that he’s in his early thirties.
Frowning, my lips part to ask him what he’s doing in my bedroom, but again, the words freeze on my tongue when he lifts his arm. It’s only then that I see the gun in his hand, and as he trains the weapon on me, an intense wave of pins and needles spreads through my body. My muscles tense up, and my brain activity seizes instantly, panic flooding my veins.
God.
His features are drawn tight with a dark expression that tells me he’s not messing around.
“You’ll do exactly as I say,” he growls. “If you scream for help, I’ll kill you and Grace. I know you don’t want your sister to die, so don’t give me any trouble.”
Slowly, I shake my head, unable to make sense of what’s happening. Somehow, I think to say, “You won’t get out of here alive.”
“If you don’t leave with me, I have no problem killing as many people as possible before taking myself out.”
What. The. Hell?
Tremors of fear hit me hard as I begin to realize that I’m in a shit load of danger. Panic threatens to drag me into a trance where I won’t be able to do anything to save myself.
Why is he doing this?
I have no idea what to do or how to handle the situation.
When my gaze flicks to the door, Nolan shakes his head and stalks toward me. The barrel of the gun presses to my forehead, and I’m only able to squeak while horror floods every inch of me.
Oh God.
“I’m serious, Ciara. I’ll fucking kill you and Grace.”
I don’t want anything to happen to Grace.
My breaths burst over my lips as I stare with terror at Nolan.
“You’re going to write a letter to Grace so she won’t come looking for you,” he orders with a harsh tone.
“What?” I gasp.
He grabs me by my arm and yanks me toward my dressing table. “Get paper and a pen!”
I quickly open the drawer and pull out my diary. I tear a page out while my eyes dart to Nolan’s grim face.
“Write that you have to leave, and she mustn’t worry about you.”
When I bring the pen to the piece of paper, my hand trembles so severely that I pause.
“Write!” he barks right by my ear, and I flinch hard, another squeak escaping me. “And you better make it believable, or Grace is dead.”
I suck in a desperate breath, and focusing hard, I try to still the trembling in my hand as I quickly write a short note.
Grace,
I have to leave. Please don’t worry.
My mind races, and as dread spins around me, I realize I have to do everything in my power to make sure Grace doesn’t get hurt.
With a pounding heart, I add two more sentences.
It’s time for me to be the strong one.
I love you more than anything.
Ciara.
As I stare at the letter, I’m not sure Grace will believe it. She knows I would never leave her, because there’s no one more important than her. She’s my entire life.
I fold the paper, and my voice is hoarse as I say, “They’ll look for me.”
I’m yanked toward the bed. “They won’t find you.” He gestures with the gun at the covers. “Put the letter down.”
I drop it on my bed, then he yanks me right against his body, and I squeeze my eyes shut, another wave of terror crashing through me.
As a result of all my panic, a wave of dizziness hits, and I sway on my feet.
Don’t go into a trance. He’ll kill you.
Stay present!
“Where’s your phone?” he snaps.
Trembling like crazy, I point at my dressing table. Once again, I’m roughly pulled around as Nolan walks to the table. He takes my phone and shoves it into his pocket before his eyes settle hard on me.
“We’re going to walk out of this house as if nothing is wrong. If you make a scene, I’ll shoot you and anyone who gets in my way.”
I nod quickly, my breaths bursting so fast from me, my lips feel impossibly dry.
Nolan tucks the gun into the waistband of his pants behind his back, and keeping a tight grip on my arm, he shoves me toward the door.
“Put a smile on your face,” he growls.
I struggle, the forced smile weak and strained.
I keep sucking in deep breaths as we leave my bedroom. Every muscle in my body is wound tight, and I fight to keep my attention focused on the dangerous situation. Going into a daze right now won’t be good.