Handing the device back to a beaming Mrs. Crowe, I notice how Kiara quickly clips her hair back up. Without thinking, I say, “You should let your hair down more.”
“Huh?” Kiara freezes as if I just threatened her.
“He’s right, dear. Your hair should be down,” Mrs. Crowe adds her two cents.
Gesturing toward the elevators for Mrs. Crowe to start walking, I catch myself stealing another glance at Kiara before returning my attention to my client.
Chapter 10
Kiara
When I get home, I drop down on my couch and let out a relieved breath.
After the call this morning, Finn made no effort to interact with me, and now that I have the day behind me, the tension is actually starting to ease.
Maybe I’ll get lucky, and Finn will be too busy to mess with me.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I quickly log into my banking app, and when I see the amount paid into my account, a smile curves my lips.
I soak in the good moment, my soul needing it desperately.
Now I can get a couple of outfits for work.
My muscles relax more, and even my lost appetite returns. Getting up, I walk to the small kitchen and start preparing mac and cheese for dinner.
When I take the first bite, my stomach growls in protest that I let it go hungry the entire day.
Unable to resist, I log into my bank account again and stare at the balance while eating.
The device vibrates in my hand, and closing the banking app, I click on my messages. Not recognizing the number, I open the text.
I missed you today.
Instantly, the food sours in my mouth. Then another message comes through.
Don’t think you can hide from me.
I own you now.
Come in at seven tomorrow.
And don’t fucking breathe a word of this to anyone, or your mother dies.
I drop the phone on the counter and stare at it, as if it’s a snake, until the screen goes black. My heart beats wildly in my chest, the little bit of happiness I was able to gain back from receiving my paycheck drowned out by the reminder of the nightmare I’m stuck in.
Minutes pass before I’m able to move a muscle. I place the leftover mac and cheese in the fridge, and walking to my bathroom, I turn on the faucets to run a bath, needing to scrub myself clean.
Feeling exhausted, I strip out of my clothes, and stepping into the tub, I sink down in the water. Lying back, I submerge my head, and holding my breath, I wish I could wash Finn from my life.
What am I going to do?
With no choice in the matter, I’m at work at seven like Finn requested.
The building feels empty as I take the elevator up to the executive floor.
No one will hear if I scream.
Do I even dare scream?
My hands fist at my sides, my teeth mercilessly worrying my bottom lip.
God, this is insane.
If I go to the police with the text messages, will they be able to protect my mother? Is it enough evidence?
Feeling like a prisoner walking to the execution chamber, my eyes are locked on Finn’s office door. My breaths grow shallow, knowing without a doubt, nothing good will happen once I go in there.
Stopping in the middle of the hallway, the hopelessness and fear increase in my chest, gripping my heart in a strangling hold.
Suddenly the door opens, then a predatory smile spreads over Finn’s face. “And here I thought you were going to make me wait.” Gesturing for me to come inside, he waits.
Staring at the man that’s making my life a living hell, I wonder how I ever thought he was attractive.
He’s despicable.
“Today, Kiara.”
A hopeless breath flutters over my lips then I move forward, walking into hell. Stopping in the middle of the office, I hear him shut the door.
I feel him move, the sensation that I’m being hunted tightening my throat.
When his fingers brush over my shoulder and down my arm, my body instinctively jerks. “Please don’t do this,” the plea falls over my lips.
My arm is gripped tightly, and I’m tugged back against his chest. His breath wafts over my ear. “That’s not how this works. If you’re going to beg and cry…” A gun appears in my line of sight, scaring the living shit out of me. I cringe back, my heart lurching into a violent beat.
Finn brings the barrel to my neck and drags the cold steel across my throat. I’m so terrified I can’t even breathe.
“You don’t want anything to happen to your mother, right?”
I quickly nod.
“And I’d hate to hurt you,” he adds sinisterly. He moves the barrel down my front and stops between my breasts. “Are you going to beg and cry?”
I shake my head.
“You’re going to enjoy everything I do to you, right?”
Closing my eyes, I swallow hard on the terror filling every inch of me, then I nod.