Page 67 of Pretty Little Fears

“Affirmative.Dropthe pin;I’mon my way.”Hesays before ending the call.

Ipocket my phone and continue my way through the building, every step heavy with urgency.Roundinga hallway corner, a creeping unease settles in my spine, and the faint echo of footsteps behind me grows louder.Mygrip on the gun tightens asIwhirl around, more than ready to dispose of whoever is trying to get in my way now.

ButbeforeIcan react, a familiar pressure against the back of my skull sends a jolt within me and pulses through my head.AsIcollapse to the floor, darkness clouds my vision, and a single thought consumes me.I’mtoo late.Ifsomething happens to my little obsession, it'll be my fault.Ididn't save her in time.

FUCK.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

BLAIR

Asmy eyes flutter open,the harsh light pierces through the haze of my consciousness and penetrates my vision.Myhead is pounding, and my body throbs in pain.Ifeel likeI'vebeen through war, and in some waysIhave.Shovedinto the aftermath of a battlefield, both physically and emotionally drained.I'mvaguely aware of the plush softness of the mattress underneath me, no smell of piss or blood.Nothinglike my previous hell.

Attemptingto rub the sleep from my eyes,I’mimmediately met with resistance. “Whatthe fuck…”Icroak out, my voice hoarse and strained.Yankingon my arm, panic skirts down my spine asInotice my wrist is shackled.I’munable to move. “No, fuck!No, no, this can't be happening!”Mybreathing begins to come in short pants as panic starts to worm its way around my throat like a noose.Ikeep jerking on my arm trying to break free from my restraints.

Iattempt to slow my racing heart,Ifocus on my immediate surroundings, straining to piece together my situation and figure out where the hellIam.Sittingup,Idraw my legs towards me, a sharp pain coursing through my abdomen, reminding me of the horrorsIendured earlier.Orwas it last night?Timeblurs into a cloudy void, leaving me disoriented.Despitethe ache in my heart at the memories that threaten to engulf me, now is not the time for mourning.

Castingmy gaze around the room,Itake in the luxurious decor that surrounds me.Thewalls are adorned in a somber shade of dark gray, and the four-poster bed frameI’mtied to sits in the middle of the room.Itsimposing presence dominates the space with a chilling reminder of my captivity.There’sblack, sleek end tables on either side of the bed.Tomy right, is a large bay window.Iassume we’re on the first floor which should make for an easier escape, however,Ihave a strong feeling they wouldn’t make it so easy.I’mdetermined to find a way out.

Tothe left of the window, a black leather chaise lounge rests with a fluffy cream throw blanket meticulously folded over its back.Despitethe room's ample space, its emptiness casts an eerie atmosphere.Thelimited furniture hints at the possibility thatImay not be the first unfortunate soul to be tethered to this bed.

Leaningas close as my restraints allow,Iinspect the post on the left side of the bed, squinting through bruised eyelids.Tinydivots and marks litter across the surface, evidence of past struggles.Gasping,Istrain to examine the other post, where matching divots run down the sides, aligning perfectly with the cuffs that are currently wrapped around them and my wrists.

Fuck.Howmany scared young men and women have been here?Howlong was it until they gave up the idea of getting out and getting home to their families?Thoughhope flickers within me still, reality sets in.IfIcan’t figure something out soon,I’mcompletely and utterly fucked.Irefuse to die in this desolate place, at the mercy of some old, disgusting pervert.

Idon’t care how farIam fromBlackwood.Iwill find a way back.Surelythere are neighbors or a nearby establishment that can offer assistance—anything to help me get home.Theybought the wrong bitch.

Myhead snaps toward the door, eyes widening as it creaks open.Aman strides in, and my initial confusion gives way to a surge of alarm.Impeccablydressed in a sleek suit, his hair styled to perfection, and his face clean-shaven, he exudes an air of authority.Thescent of his expensive cologne fills the room, assaulting my senses and intensifying the feeling of impending danger.Despiteany outward charm or semblance of attractiveness, the darkness lurking within him is unmistakable, emanating from his eyes like shards of ice.

Awolf is still a wolf, even in sheep's clothing.

Idon't dare avert my gaze from him as he saunters into the room.Silencehangs heavy in the air, broken only by the sound of my racing heartbeat.Likea statue,Iremain frozen, clinging to the useless hope of becoming invisible.Hispiercing gaze rakes over my body, the devilish grin makes my skin burn.

“Hellothere, baby girl.”Hepurrs with a sinister smile, triggering a surge of bile to rise in my throat. “Myname isLorenzo, andI'llbe taking such good care of you.It'sa shame they delivered you with all these bruises, though.Typically,Itake pleasure in painting my canvases myself.”Headds, his words dripping with malice as he brushes an imaginary speck of dust from his suit.

Myblood runs cold as reality starts to sink in.Hepaid millions to have me bound to this bed.Hepaid to own me, to have control over my very existence.Iwill never be free again.Mybody is no longer my own, a prisoner to his depraved desires.

Heunbuttons his suit jacket and shrugs it off, then strides over to the leather chaise and lays it atop the throw blanket.Looseninghis tie and rolling up his sleeves, his gaze locks on to mine.Apredatory smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth and he licks his lips, savoring the fear reflected in my eyes.

“Therewas quite a bidding war for you, young lady.Apriceless beauty like yourself, it's no wonder there was such interest.You’vebrought a considerable sum to your school and to certain individuals.”Heexplains, his voice laced with a sense of ownership. “Iwas more than willing to make a substantial donation in your name.Infact,Ieven heard that one of the bidders lost his shit and had it out with the boss whenImade my final bid,” he continues, casually strolling toward the foot of the bed. “Wordhas it, he resorted to extreme measures, even violence, in his desperation to acquire you.”Myheart skips a beat.

Couldhe be referring toEmmett?

Sighing, he halts a few feet away and proceeds to unbuckle his belt, sliding it out of the loops of his dress pants.Iswallow the bile back down, not wanting to piss him off two minutes after meeting him. “Iwould’ve paid any price to possess you.There’sjust something about you, baby girl.ThemomentIlaid eyes on you,IknewI’dmake you mine,” he declares, his words dripping with possessiveness.Despitemy inner disgust,Iunderstand the importance of playing along, at least for now.

Themen associated withBlackwoodhave a serious problem of asserting their dominance over women.Butif there’s even the slightest chance of escape,Imust bide my time and earn his trust.Icannot afford to provoke his wrath, not yet.

“It'sa shame you know,” he prompts, waiting for me to speak butIdon't respond.Ihave nothing to say to a man whopaidfor me, who plans on using and hurting me.Awhirling shadow comes my way andI’mdisoriented.

Thepain registers in my cheek beforeIrealize what happened.Hejust fucking slapped me.Itry to pull my hand up to cup my face butI’mreminded of the cuffs secured to my wrists.

“Youwill respond whenIspeak to you, you worthless girl.Youare nothing more than a warm hole, something to be used by me.Whenever, wherever, and howeverIshall choose.DoImake myself clear?Don’tfucking disrespect me by thinking you have a choice here.”Heshouts, spit flying out of his mouth and landing on my upper lip.

Choosingmy battles wisely is the only wayI'llmake it out of here alive, andI'vedecided this is not a battleIwant to pick.Ilower my head, away from his piercing dark eyes, and speak.

“Yes,Iunderstand,”Isay, almost in a whisper.Myvoice is scarce, my throat is sore from screaming and my mind is tired.Idon’t want to give in, but it’s the only wayI’llget out.

“AsIwas saying, it's a shame they killed your child.”Myeyebrows raise, maybe his heartisstill in there after all?MaybeI'llbe able to negotiate my way out.Thismeans that-

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