Page 58 of Love Under Siege

Lana’s fists clench, her whole body shaking with anger as she glares at Adam. “You’ve ruined so many lives, all because of your sick obsession with Anya!?” she growls through clenched teeth.

Adam leans in close to Lana, his voice low and full of malice. “Ruined?” he says, sneering. “I’m not ruining anything. I’m reclaiming what’s mine.”

Bile rises in my throat, and I fight the urge to vomit. I feel the crushing weight of fear, the hopelessness of our situation. But something inside me refuses to give in. “You won’t get away with this,” I spit, my voice unsteady but filled with defiance. “Jacob will find us, and when he does—”

Adam cuts me off with a sharp, derisive laugh. “Collins is out there making sure Jacob never finds you,” he says, his voice laced with venom. “Jacob will be chasing ghosts while we disappear.” His words are like daggers, and I can feel my heart sinking deeper into despair.

Adam leans back, savoring the power he holds over us. His smirk is sickening, his eyes filled with twisted pleasure as he watches the fear settle in. He steps closer, his presence overwhelming the small room.

“You really think this is a game you can win?” he taunts, his voice low and menacing. “I’ve been two steps ahead of all of you from the very beginning. You were never in control, Anya. Every move you made, I anticipated. Every time you thought you were safe, I was right there, watching.”

I glare at him, my hands clenching into fists behind my back. I want to scream, fight, do anything, but the ropes are too tight, and the terror too real. Lana’s breathing is shaky, and I can hear her panic rising again.

Adam takes a slow, deliberate step toward me. He leans down, his face inches from mine. “You’re not getting out of this,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. “Not before I get what I want.”

My body locks up, every muscle tense as I meet his cold, calculating eyes. He’s savoring the fear, relishing the control he holds over us.

“And what is it you want?” I ask, my voice sharper than I feel.

“You,” he replies, the word slipping from his lips like a twisted promise.

I try to keep a brave face. “Why?” I demand, though my stomach is in knots.

He leans in slightly, his eyes darkening. “I told you, because you’re mine.”

The words make my skin crawl. “I’m not yours! I don’t even know you!” My voice rises, but inside I’m cracking. Who is this man?

“Oh, but you do, Anya. You do.” His voice is low, almost mocking.

Confusion flashes across my face, and he seizes the opportunity, leaning in closer. “You promised me your virginity. You—”

It hits me like a punch to the gut. “You’re the one I was supposed to meet with?” I cut him off, the words tumbling out in disbelief.

His hand snaps up, grabbing my face with his fingers digging painfully into my skin. “Yes! You promised me I would be the one to deflower you! But then you gave it away to Paul!” His words are venomous, dripping with anger as he squeezes harder, my teeth scraping the inside of my cheeks.

“I—”

He cuts me off with a vicious backhand, the metal from his rings tearing at my skin. Pain explodes across my face, but I refuse to crumble. I hold my head high, despite the sting. “Then why now?” I spit out, tasting blood in my mouth, my voice steady despite the pounding in my skull.

He scoffs, clearly irritated. “I couldn’t get to you when you were with your parents. They hovered over you, and Paul and Marcus always had their guys watching you. I needed time to plan.”

The realization crashes down on me, harsh and unforgiving. My parents’ constant hovering, their need to know where I was at every moment—it wasn’t just annoying. It protected me. And the second I left their home for Nana and Pops, I opened the door to this nightmare. All because I wanted independence. I thought I was breaking free, but instead, I had walked right into danger.

And now, I might not get out of it alive.

Then, he stands up straight, turning away like he’s lost interest in talking more. “You should enjoy your last hours together,” he says with a mocking smile, his voice echoing in the dimly lit room.

He starts walking toward the door, his footsteps slow and deliberate, dragging out the moment. Just before he reaches the doorway, he turns back one last time, his smile sharp and cruel. “Sweet dreams, Anya. I’ll be seeing you real soon.”

The door creaks as he pulls it shut behind him, the lock clicking into place with a finality that makes my stomach drop. The silence that follows is suffocating, thick with fear and uncertainty. Lana and I are left alone in the dark, our hearts pounding, the weight of Adam’s threat hanging over us like a noose.

For the first time, I don’t know how we’ll get out of this.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Jacob

Three days. Three long, torturous days since Anya and Lana were taken. The hours blur together, filled with dead ends, fake leads, and the suffocating weight of fear gnawing at me. My body is exhausted, my mind racing with a constant barrage of what-ifs. But giving up isn’t an option. I’ll find her, no matter what it takes.

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