“Because you lost Chase.”
Her head snaps to mine and a sheen of tears forms in her green eyes. “You’ve read up and done your homework, I see.”
“Is it possible,” I hedge, “that the same person who took Chase also took Mitch?”
“Get. Out.”
“Ma’am,” I say, holding my palms up as I stand. “Hear me out—”
“I said, get out,” she snaps, also rising to her feet. “I want you out of my house.”
“Okay. We’ll leave, but can you tell me more about the friend he’s supposed to be with?”
“Mitch and Taylor are friends. Taylor isn’t answering his phone either. It’s not unusual for them to go hiking and camp out. They go all the time with Taylor’s father.”
“Have you spoken to Taylor’s father?” Nees asks. “Has he spoken to Taylor?”
“Who are you and why are you two so concerned with the whereabouts of my son?” she demands, not answering his questions.
“I’m your son’s boyfriend,” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“That’s impossible. Mitch isn’t gay or even bisexual…”
No, lady, but your other one is.
Dragon
I’m antsy as fuck.
I can’t sit in the Tahoe and do nothing. Not when Mitch is missing and Cove is talking to my mother. A sharp pain sears through my chest at the brief glimpse I’d gotten of her standing in the doorway of the house.
Still the same.
Over a decade since I’ve seen her up close and she’s the same. Somehow the same fierce, beautiful woman who’s well-respected and confident in every aspect of her life.
Filter keeps texting with someone while wearing a stupid grin, so I’m assuming it’s Cove’s twin, Calla. Maybe he actually likes her. There’s no telling with Filter. This could all be some scheme to get back at Stormy for fucking with his heart. But you also can’t fake a goofy smile. Filter, normally a bitch-ass punk, looks happy.
It makes me wonder if I look like that when I’m near Cove…
My phone buzzes with a text from Katana.
K: Me and Prez just drove by the old warehouse. Nothing.
A shudder trembles through me, earning a confused glance from Filter. Just the mention of that place makes bile churn in my stomach and the memories from the night of my escape burn like acid in my mind.
He screwed up.
Night Giant screwed up and didn’t snap the lock on the chain all the way. I knew if I complied and distracted him, eventually he’d slip up. Puke threatens to spew out at how well I complied to earn his attention, but I can’t think about that now. Not when escape is closer than it ever has been.
As quietly as I can possibly move, I unlatch the lock and slip my ankle free. I take a second to move it around before gaining my bearings. My whole body aches from the continuous strain Night Giant puts it through. I find my boxers and a shirt in the corner of the place he keeps me. Sometimes he rewards me by letting me wear clothes. Most times, I’m not worthy enough.
Fear claws through me, weighing my feet in place.
Go, idiot.
I jerk out of my frozen stupor and shakily throw on the clothes. It’s chilly tonight, but this is better than nothing.
My bare feet are soundless as I creep to the edge of the shipping container and peer around the side. I’ve been dragged all over this warehouse and made to do things I cannot even begin to think about, so I at least am familiar with the layout. I know where Night Giant’s men hang out and where they fuck the captives. I’ll be avoiding both at all costs.
Since it’s dark, I’m able to shift from shadow to shadow without being seen. When I make it to the door that leads outside, my heart is hammering in my throat. I’ve never been outside this door, so I have no idea where it goes.
I pray to God it doesn’t sound an alarm if I open it.
Holding my breath, I push against the door. It opens with no resistance, but it makes a loud creaking sound that echoes through the whole warehouse. The voices I’d heard go silent.
Fuck.
I shove out the door and take off in a sprint, straight toward a fence. When I played basketball, I was the fastest on my team. But that was years ago.
Don’t think about it.
Don’t think about how long you’ve been here.
Two years, two years, two years.
Despite my best efforts to ignore it, I can’t. Not when Night Giant reminds me all the time. That no one is looking for me. That no one wants me but him. I’m his.
“Hey!” a voice bellows from behind me.
I recognize it as one of his asshole henchmen. I don’t even turn around to see who it is. Jumping as high as I can when I reach the fence, I climb over it like my ass is on fire. It will be if I get caught.