Descent (Black Heart Romance)

She’s a diva most days, but typically a diva with an appetite.

She must be asleep or hiding because she doesn’t bother to come out at the sound of my voice.

That’s odd.

Marie might have a snooty little attitude, but she loves me. It’s not like her to completely ignore me, but as I make my way through the small apartment, she doesn’t emerge from any of her usual hiding places.

“Marie,” I call out, my panic beginning to grow. I displace pillows and look under my bed. I check behind the toilet in the bathroom and open all the cupboards.

I can’t find her anywhere.

My skin heats as I try to remember the last time I saw her. I know I saw her this morning before I left.

Did she get out when I opened the door?

Oh my god, if she got out, I might never find her.

I’m near tears searching every nook and cranny one more time in hopes that she’ll magically appear when I hear my phone vibrate on the kitchen counter.

I’m not really worried about a missed text or phone call, but I absently grab it before heading back into the bedroom to check my closet again and behind my door.

Then I freeze. There’s a text from an unknown number that reads, “Have you misplaced your kitty?”

My heart seizes. Maybe it’s a neighbor, but how do they have my number if I don’t have theirs? My fingers shake as I type back, “Yes. Who is this?”

“I’ll give her back tonight when you come over for dinner.”

For a split second, I don’t understand.

Then I do, and I nearly explode with rage. “You kidnapped my cat?!” I type back furiously. “What kind of fucking lunatic kidnaps a person’s cat?????”

“I found your cat. You should be grateful.”

Grateful? My eyes practically bulge out of my head.

Before I can even type a response, he sends another text. “Hollis will pick you up at six. Make sure you’re ready this time.”

I’m so angry I could cry, but a little relieved, too. If Calvin has Marie, at least she’s not lost. I still want to kill him, but surely he hasn’t hurt her. “Can I see a picture?” I ask just to make sure.

A moment later, a picture comes through. Marie is lying on a white blanket that looks softer and cozier than anything I own. Her gaze is calm, her body language relaxed. Her paw is resting over what appears to be a cat toy she was playing with before the picture was snapped.

She seems fine.

I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” I send back. Catnappers don’t deserve thanks, but the bastard could have hurt her. Instead, he bought her a toy.

“You’re welcome,” he replies. “We’ll see you tonight?”

“Yes,” I answer, trying not to feel defeated.

“Looking forward to it,” he replies.

A knot lodges in my throat as I read that one and remember what happened last time he got me alone on his turf. Last time he looked forward to seeing me.

I tell myself it won’t happen again, but I have no idea if it’s true.

I know I have to go get my cat back, and this time I can’t ask Georgia to play chaperone. I would never put her in potential harm, and my sister is lovely—how do I know he wouldn’t hurt her?

I don’t. Just like I don’t know for a fact he won’t hurt Marie.

I could call the police and tell them this crazy man stole my cat, but even if they went to his place to ask about it, he could deny it. Assure them that’s his cat and the white cat I lost must be running around the city somewhere.

He has assured me he’s rich, so he probably lives somewhere nice. They would probably take one look around his luxurious penthouse apartment and think I’m nuts or at the very least mistaken. Surely a man like him would have no need to steal a cat. They would leave without Marie, and then I really would risk pissing him off. Maybe he would hurt her or give her away, some vengeful action to make sure I never get her back.

I love Marie. I won’t risk never seeing her again.

I have to go get her myself.

Helplessness threatens to swallow me up, but I shove it down.

I’ll do what I can to protect myself. I can bring pepper spray, I can keep my phone on me. If he tries to attack me, I’ll call for help.

I’m not locked in a dungeon this time.

I tell myself there are ways to make sure I’m safe in the Devil’s lair, but I’m not deluded enough to entirely believe it.

Chapter Ten

Hallie

“Thank you.”

My tone is frosty despite my manners as I step out onto the sidewalk of the Upper East Side neighborhood he brought me to.

Hollis nods his head and closes the car door behind me.