Taken

She needed a new life—a different life far, far away. In order to accomplish that, she needed money. She had maybe two thousand dollars in her checking and savings account combined. That wouldn’t get her very far.

A smile crept over her face as her plan began to form in her mind. Robert and Brenda would bankroll her escape—it was only fitting. They’d stolen her life. She was going to take it back.

She’d been upstairs often enough to know the layout of the huge house. It was clear the couple had tons of money. That safe in the bedroom closet was probably stuffed with cash. If only she knew the code to get into it!

Even if she couldn’t get into the safe, she should be able to find enough valuables upstairs to resell—enough to give her a new start. While the most expensive pieces of jewelry were probably kept in the safe, elegant gold chains and rings studded with diamonds were often carelessly tossed onto Brenda’s huge vanity. And there was a big fancy black lacquered jewelry box on the vanity as well.

Maybe Robert kept rolls of cash in his underwear drawer. He struck her as the type who liked to flash a big wad. Plus, she’d have their car. She’d get herself as far away from this hated prison as she could, and then figure things out from there.

She would hear the crunch of gravel outside her window when they left. Once she was sure they were well and truly gone, she would make her move.

Excitement zinged through Jane’s body, making her want to leap out then and there. She was done with biding her time. She wanted to take action now!

Patience, she cautioned herself. Don’t fuck this up.

She drew in a deep, cleansing breath and let it out slowly. She did that several more times until her skittering heart slowed.

Then an unsettling thought slithered its way into her mind. What if they planned to kill her before taking off? After all, didn’t that make more sense than leaving her to starve to death in her cage? Robert might not be capable of murder, but Brenda definitely was.

Jane shook her head, refusing to freak out. She groped for her hidden weapons and curled her fingers around them. She would have the advantage of surprise.

As soon as it was dark outside, using the blankets and her body as a shield, she would unlock her cage. If they came down to kill her before they left, she would be waiting.

Whatever happened, she was not defenseless.

She would not go quietly.

Jane sat still for a long while, envisioning various scenarios and how they might play out. Her stomach gurgled impatiently, reminding her of her constant hunger. With all her planning, she’d totally forgotten the lunch sack Robert had tossed to her.

Just in case Brenda might be watching, she shielded the bag from view with her back before opening it. Inside she found a protein bar and a bottle of water. Good—she would need the energy. She forced herself to eat slowly, instead of wolfing the bar down. She drank a little of the water and closed the cap.

She thought about trying to rest, to save up her energy, but she was far too edgy. Better to watch and wait, eyes peeled, ears pricked for the slightest sound. When the time was right, she would be ready.

She was done being a victim.

Tonight, she’d make her escape, or die trying.

Chapter 14

The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness. The heavy silence weighed on Jane like a stone. She could barely breathe as she waited, her ears pricked for sound of the basement door opening. Her cage was unlocked, her hands curled around her makeshift weapons. She would not go down without a fight.

But no one came.

Finally, she heard the telltale sound of tires crunching on the gravel outside her window. Tears of relief spurted from her eyes. The tension that had held her coiled and ready for attack eased a little. Her heart leaped into overdrive at the sound. She was still alive!

It was time to make her move.

She forced herself to wait until she’d counted to one thousand before making her move, just in case they came back.

Finally, she pushed the cage door open. She slid out and got to her feet, listening hard in the silence. Reaching into the cage, she took the screwdriver and box cutter. Moving as quickly as she could in the dark, she made her way to the staircase and climbed the wooden stairs, feverishly praying they hadn’t thrown the deadbolt.

Relief drenched her as she turned the handle and the door opened.

Holding her breath, she stepped into the silent kitchen. She stood still for several long seconds, listening. The only sound was the hum of the refrigerator.

Walking on tiptoe, she made her way to the stairs that led to the second floor, panting in her nervous excitement.