Page 14 of Cruel Secrets

I don’t think he would have been able to forgive me. Not when he’s still so angry about it two years later.

As I finish packing Gia’s suitcase and mine, Royce keeps her entertained with the toys that are going to be staying here. He plays with her dolls, sitting on the ground and putting on a little performance while I grab the last of the toys I want to take with us.

When the bags are packed, Royce gets up and scoops Bianca up, handing her to me before taking the suitcases and car seat.

He looks at me over his shoulder as he heads for the front door. “You’re going to follow me and you’re going to get in the car. You’re not going to scream for help, and if you try to run, one of the men waiting outside is going to grab you before you have the chance to get away. And then they’re going to haul you back to me and I promise you won’t like what’s going to happen when they do.”

Though the thought crossed my mind, I know better than to test him while his guard is up.

There is no doubt that he has men stationed around the building, just waiting for me to try and do something stupid.

He leads the way out of the building, not saying a word on the short elevator ride or the walk through the parking lot to the black SUV that’s sitting beneath a dim streetlight.

Royce installs the car seat in the back before loading the bags in the trunk.

If anyone were to look out their window right now, we would just look like a family who is going away on a vacation together. They wouldn’t think twice about the man loading the bags into the back while I buckle up Bianca.

Nobody is going to think that the woman in the penthouse of the small building went missing.

Noah isn’t going to know to look for me until he wants the next painting ready.

Mom is going to head for Costa Rica.

A pit opens in the bottom of my stomach.

As I get in the SUV and wait for Royce, a million different thoughts start racing through my mind. I don’t know when someone is going to come looking for us. I have to worry about whether or not Mom is going to be okay, but I won’t be able to call her.

Royce slides into the car beside me, holding out his hand. “Phone. Now.”

I pull the phone out of my back pocket, and he takes it, rolling down the window as Matt appears beside us.

He nods in at me. “Nice to see you again, Gia. Sorry the circumstances are shit.”

My throat feels like it’s closing over as Royce tosses my phone to Matt. “I wish I could say the same.”

Matt’s lips twitch as he takes the phone. “Ready to go when you are.”

“We’re going now. Tell the others to make sure that we aren’t being followed before they start to fall off.” Royce starts the engine, hitting a button on the radio and flipping to one of my favorite stations, rock music flowing through the speakers.

A tight pain pricks at my lungs.

I didn’t think he would remember what station I like to listen to.

Hell, I didn’t think that he would care about me at all after this long, but there’s something in the way he looks at me that makes me think being his captive might not be the worst thing I’ve ever had to do.

If nothing else, the suggestive comments he’s made imply that he’s still attracted to me at the very least.

I might be able to use that to my advantage.

Clearing my throat as we pull away from my apartment, I look over at him. “Where are we going?”

“You’re the hostage here. You don’t get to ask questions.”

Bianca whines from the back seat before she starts to sob.

Royce glances in the mirror at her. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. No need to cry.”

His voice is soft and soothing as he turns down the music, stopping her tears almost instantly.

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