Taken by Lies (Truth or Lies 1)

And suddenly I don’t want to get in the car. I can’t remember the last time I rode in a car. A car looks claustrophobic. It looks dangerous. It looks—

“Kai, get in the car.”

Fuck.

I will not let Enzo see my fear. It’s just a car. I’ve ridden in them countless times before. I can handle it—even a tiny, suffocating car like this one.

I walk to the passenger side, open the door, and slide in. My foot instantly relieved to no longer be standing on it.

I close my eyes and try to take a few deep breaths.

“Afraid of the car or my driving?” Enzo asks.

My eyes pop open as I snarl at him.

He chuckles. “It’s not my driving you should be worried about.”

I still. I know exactly what I should be worried about. This isn’t my first rodeo. He isn’t my first capture. But Enzo isn’t like the other men who took me. We have a connection that saved me last time; I’m not sure that link will save me a second time.

I’m jerked backward, slamming against my seat as Enzo speeds off.

“Seatbelt, Kai. We wouldn’t want anything else to happen to damage your pretty face.”

“Really? You’re making jokes now?”

He shrugs as he zips around another corner.

I grab the seatbelt and clasp it across my body despite hating how trapped I feel.

“I wouldn’t call them jokes. I enjoy watching you squirm. And the faster you learn you are no longer in control, the easier your life will be.”

I will never confess I’ve given him control, just like I never admitted I was broken. My life may have never been my own, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have some control.

“So stubborn,” he says, turning sharply.

“Motherfucking bastard. Fucking slow down. I’m weak, I feel trapped in this car, and I’m about to hurl all over the upholstery.”

He smiles and then slows. It seems that is all he wanted: for me to show weakness.

I close my eyes again as my stomach churns from the turns and being in such a small space. I can barely breathe. Bile rises in my throat; I’m going to vomit.

“Open your eyes, Kai.”

I don’t want to open them. Why does he want me to open them anyway? So he can see the terror on my face he’s causing. He’s sick.

His voice softens, “Open your eyes.”

I open them.

“Look at the road ahead. It will help.”

I watch the road and notice our speed has slowed tremendously. Cars are now passing us, speeding down the highway. I watch the road in front of us and the pressure building in my stomach subsides a little.

“Good, just like that. Now breath in through your nose and purse your lips as you breathe out.”

I do what he says, my breathing calm. He’s so nice, so kind.

“And if you need to puke, tell me. If you thought those men tortured you before, you haven’t felt wrath until I punish you for destroying my car.”