Page 155 of Love Me

“How are you feeling?”

“Great, considering you fucked me so hard I thought I was teleported to three different galaxies and back.”

He chuckles, and I wrap my arms around him, kissing him.

After we finish breakfast, he says, “I have to go to the company for a few hours.”

My mouth fills with brittle sand, so instead of lying, I say, “I’ll think of you.”

“You’d better.” He disappears into the walk-in closet. Dressed in a fitted suit that hugs his athletic body, he looks beyond mouthwatering. I arrange his tie and walk with him downstairs. I kiss him again, my lips lingering on his, my body clinging to him.

“Should I stay?”

“No, no, it’s fine. I’ve got this.”

He kisses my forehead and then leaves.

Tension creeps in. I look over my shoulder, and Blake is behind me.

“For a moment, I thought you’d reconsider.”

“It’s not like I have much of a choice.”

“I made the phone call.”

“If anyone asks, I went to class. We all should go more.”

I change and take my duffel bag, where the so-called evidence is. It’s a picture of the safe in Felix’s house. They will just have to follow the rest of the plan.

I change quickly and slip outside. My fingers tremble as I start the engine and drive away. I hate being in the open, vulnerable, even though I know what is about to happen.

You’re doing this for your mother and family.

Whatever will come, you’re strong enough.

I repeat this affirmation as two black SUVs block me in the middle of the road. I don’t put up a fight, deciding it’s better to preserve my energy. One masked man yanks my door open and grabs me by the elbow while putting a cloth on my mouth. Then everything turns black.

My eyes flutter open. I am lying on a bed in a sterile white room. There are no windows. I try to stand up, but my body doesn’t listen to the command. Grogginess traps me in an unyielding grip.

Panic hits me because all I can do is move my eyes. I should have fought, but the outcome would have been the same, and it would reveal my one strength to them. My gut told me I needed to play my cards right.

Desire to free myself blares through me, but not enough to make my body function.

The metallic door opens, and Caleb steps inside with Blake, who offers me a small nod. I am still trying to compartmentalize the betrayal and the fact that he’s my only ally here. Caleb looks at his son, pride etched on his face. How I’d love to wipe that smirk off of his face.

“Good work, son.”

I try to open my mouth and tell Caleb what I think of him, but I can’t.

“I was a bit too enthusiastic with the drug. It might take some time for your body to flush it out. I’ve perfected it with time,” the sociopath says.

Blake turns to him. “I’ve got this.”

“We’ll proceed when Felix arrives.”

When Caleb leaves, it’s just the two of us.

Blake moves toward my bed. He plucks a syringe from his coat and my eyes shoot to it.

---