His cold words had forced me to realize that I was just as much a part of whatever was going on as he was.
My mind shifted to the ugly threats that I should have taken more seriously. My thoughts drifted to Molly, my heart racing. All I’d wanted to do was get home to her. I’d done everything in my power over the years to protect her. Now I couldn’t be there. The single smart thing I’d done was to get her out of harm’s way. No one could find her. There wasn’t a trail of any kind. At least I could take comfort in that fact while I was being held a prisoner. Oh, God. I really was his prisoner. I had to find a way to get back. I just had… Tears rushed into my eyes. I needed to be able to trust him, to explain my life wasn’t what he thought it was. Would he care? Would he help me?
No, of course he wouldn’t.
Please. Please, God, keep her safe.
As tears slipped down my face, I tried to remind myself that I’d done a good job of shielding her, keeping her protected. At least she was with someone I trusted. But what if… I let out a single sob, instantly shoving my hand across my mouth. I could tell he was staring at me, likely making fun of the stupid woman who’d gotten herself in the middle of a nightmare.
He’d been driving for over an hour. While I was no expert, I realized he must have left New York, maybe driving into New Jersey. Everything remained foggy in my mind, the heat that continued to radiate between us becoming a curse. I hated the continued sensations, the tantalizing connection that he’d used against me.
Just the thought of what he’d done inside the club, bringing me to a climax made me sick. I glanced down at my hands, my lower lip quivering. I hadn’t noticed the blood splatters before. I could swear they glowed in the dark. Even if I was imagining it, I started to rub my hands and fingers furiously, disgusted with myself.
Repulsed by him.
I stole a quick glance at him, shifting as far away in my seat as possible, crowding the door. The seatbelt was strangling, but not nearly as much as being forced to remain next to him. He was an ominous presence, even more so now. I glanced down at the sullied dress, wanting nothing more than to rip it from my body. I rubbed my fingers across my cheek, shuddering. Blood remained splattered on my face, a stark reminder that I’d walked in on a murder.
But I’d seen two other men down, blood pooling across the floor creating a stream of crimson. I trembled from the memory, incapable of processing what I’d seen. How many stories had I reported on about men like him, a third person account of a stranger’s death? Enough I should have been hardened but nothing had prepared me for the carnage, the utter unnecessary violence. He could never make what he’d done right, no matter the circumstances.
“Where are we going?” I asked again, not expecting an answer. He didn’t seem interested in supplying me with any information. As I wiped the tears away, I tried to figure out how I could escape. All I had to do was get to a phone and call my family.
They would be the ones bringing down the wrath of God.
“To the airstrip my family owns.”
“Airstrip? We’re flying somewhere?”
He smirked as if my question was stupid. I wanted to lash out, but what good would it do me? “There are certain individuals who’ve decided that my presence on this earth is no longer needed. Because you belong to me, that makes you a target as well.”
“I don’t belong to you!”
“We agree to disagree.”
I was stunned by his cavalier attitude, unable to find any words of retort that would make any sense. When he made a turn, rolling down a gravel pathway surrounded by trees, I quickly released the seatbelt. If he thought I was going to go with him willingly, he had another think coming. When he slowed in front of a set of huge steel gates, I slowly reached for the car handle.
He snapped his hand around my wrist, yanking me against him.
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Cassidy. I don’t want to discipline you, but I will if necessary.”
“My God. You’re an absolute monster.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, you’re going to be a good girl because no matter how secure this facility, I’m concerned the fuckers will try something.”
“Who? Should I pick a number for one of the dozens of people who hate you?”
“Such cynicism, dolce angelo. I’m surprised.”
“Nothing surprises me any longer.”
“That’s likely a good stance for you to take.” He kept his fingers wrapped around my wrist as he drove in. I was shocked to see the number of people inside the facility as he headed for a group of buildings. Before he made a final approach, he moved the car around the back of one of them. It appeared like an old-fashioned hangar, but large enough to hold a massive airplane. I’d never heard of the location before, which I knew was by design, the power of his family more impressive than my father had made it out to be.
He parked, cutting the engine immediately then shifting in order to look me directly in the eye. “I’m serious, Cassidy. You’re going to do exactly as I say. If you don’t, you could die. We both could. If I need to gag you, I will, but that won’t make for a very comfortable ride for several hours. Now, do we understand each other?”
When I didn’t answer at first, he grabbed my chin, pulling me closer. Then he dropped his head, filling me with the scent of his aftershave, the one I’d found appealing up until now.
“Answer me, Cassidy.”
“Yes. Fine. You got it.”