Page 3 of Death

I drop it on my bed, then he yanks me right against his body, and I squeeze my eyes shut, another wave of terror crashing through me.

As a result of all my panic, a wave of dizziness hits, and I sway on my feet.

Don’t go into a trance. He’ll kill you.

Stay present!

“Where’s your phone?” he snaps.

Trembling like crazy, I point at my dressing table. Once again, I’m roughly pulled around as Nolan walks to the table. He takes my phone and shoves it into his pocket before his eyes settle hard on me.

“We’re going to walk out of this house as if nothing is wrong. If you make a scene, I’ll shoot you and anyone who gets in my way.”

I nod quickly, my breaths bursting so fast from me, my lips feel impossibly dry.

Nolan tucks the gun into the waistband of his pants behind his back, and keeping a tight grip on my arm, he shoves me toward the door.

“Put a smile on your face,” he growls.

I struggle, the forced smile weak and strained.

I keep sucking in deep breaths as we leave my bedroom. Every muscle in my body is wound tight, and I fight to keep my attention focused on the dangerous situation. Going into a daze right now won’t be good.

Oh God.

As we head down the staircase, I glance over the foyer and in the direction of Dad’s office. Not hearing any voices, I’m forced to walk across the foyer toward the glass table where we keep all the keys.

“Take your car keys,” Nolan snaps, and I rush to dig mine out of the pile. I dare a glance at Nolan, and seeing the aggressive expression on his face, I whisper, “Please don’t hurt anyone.”

“Just fucking move!” he whisper-hisses.

With his fingers wrapped in a biting hold around my bicep, he shoves me toward the garage where all the cars are parked.

The moment we’re in the garage, he takes the keys from me before hauling me to the passenger side of my Porsche.

“Get in!”

I quickly climb inside, and after he slams the door shut, he walks around the front of the vehicle to the driver’s side.

My thoughts are all over the place, my hands gripped tightly on my lap.

At least Grace didn’t get hurt.

She’ll know I wouldn’t leave without her. She’ll call the police, and they’ll find me.

The little seedling of hope grows in the deepest corner of my heart.

Nolan keeps hold of the gun as he starts the car. The garage door rolls open, and as he reverses, I grip my hands tighter, my eyes darting around.

My throat is impossibly dry as I whimper, “Why?”

“Shut up!”

I cringe back and lower my head while squeezing my eyes shut.

The next instant, we’re racing down the driveway and out of the gates, and it starts to sink in that I’m being kidnapped.

Oh God!

---