Page 24 of Taking Adalisa

“Words, Adalisa.” His voice is firm.

“Yes, I understand,” I reply.

My breathing becomes easier as he continues to talk to me, distracting me from where I am. His voice is soothingly deep, and if I weren’t in an elevator, I would fall right asleep. Maybe I should call him when I’m having a hard time falling asleep.

“No,” I mumble.

“What was that?” Matthias asks. “No to what?”

I suck in a breath. “Nothing,” I whisper.

I need to not think about falling asleep to his voice. I need to not talk to him. I need to stay away from him, yet he coming is to rescue me.

But it doesn’t mean anything.

After this, I’m going to go back to not talking to him. I have to. I don’t want him. He’s dangerous, and I don’t need that in my life.

“Adalisa.” His voice holds warning. “Tell Daddy what you were saying no to.”

“I can’t,” I squeak, my hand slamming onto the ground. “I need out.”

I look around the elevator, feeling the walls closing in on me.

“Adalisa!” he growls. “Focus on me. Close your eyes like a good girl and listen to my voice. Nothing else matters right now besides you obeying me.”

I close my eyes and focus on his voice.

“Good girl. I’m almost at your building,” he gently reassures.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, feeling like an elephant is sitting on my chest. “Please.”

“You’re okay. You are doing such a good job, and you will continue to do a good job. It’s what I demand of you,” he states.

“I’m not always going to follow what you say,” I grumble.

If he were here right in front of me, I would be glaring at him. I would also punch him in the arm and tell him fat chance of me doing anything he says. But that was all if he was here, which he isn’t.

“You will,” he says. “My voice may sound a little further away, but I’m still here. I’m just going to try to open the elevator doors.”

He continues to talk about everything he’s doing, letting me listen to his voice. Every once in a while, it strains as he tries to open the elevator doors, but then it goes back to normal. How much longer am I going to be in here for? Will he be able to get me out?

“Open your eyes, Little bit.” Matthias’ voice sounds so close yet so far away. “Come on, Adalisa.”

I crack my eyes open and stare into his chocolate-brown eyes. A smile breaks out across his face.

“Such a good girl,” he whispers. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Without thinking, I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms and legs around him.

“Wow, you’re okay.” He holds me close. “I’m right here.”

He stands. and I grip him tighter, not wanting to let him go.

“You’re okay,” he coos in my ear. “You’re out of the elevator. We’re on your floor.”

“I never want to take that elevator again.” My voice cracks, and tears pool in my eyes. “Never again.”

I never want to go into another elevator, period. There is no way anyone can pay me to get into one after that terrifying ordeal.

---