Page 68 of Talon

“Jessica,” Talon says softly, looking me directly in the eyes.“We did what we had to do to keep you safe. We’re not going to hurt him if he cooperates.”

“Cooperates?” I echo, my mind racing with images of Hank tied up and terrified in that basement.“What do you mean? What are you doing to him? I heard screaming.”

“Look, we just need some answers,” Nitro interjects, appearing behind Talon.“We won’t do anything more than necessary.”

“And what’s necessary, exactly?” I demand.

“You don’t want to know,” Reaper says ominously. I can’t see him because Talon’s blocking the door, but I know he’s down there, too.

“Trust us, Jessica. Trust me. We’re going to get answers.” Talon’s gaze lingers on mine for a moment before he pulls the door closed, leaving me with a chilling sense of helplessness and fear.

My chest tightens with horror as the reality of what they’ve done sinks in. Kidnapping? That’s insane! I can’t believe Talon would go to such extremes. I have to stop him before he does something crazy.

Ignoring the fear clawing at my chest, I slowly pull open the door. A long set of concrete stairs descends before taking a sharp turn. I can’t see anything beyond the steps.

“This is so stupid,” I whisper.

I’m tempted to slam the door shut and retreat to my room, but a scream of agony fills the air. Hank’s sobbing, begging them to let him go. I can’t leave him down there. He’s not my favorite coworker, but I don’t think he’s my stalker.

Steeling my spine, I make my way down the stairs. The air grows colder and heavier as I descend, and the screams become clearer, sharper. My stomach churns with each haunting cry, but I refuse to let fear stop me.

At the bottom of the steps, another door looms in front of me. It’s the only barrier between me and whatever horrors lie beyond it. With trembling hands, I grasp the doorknob and push it open, bracing myself for the gruesome scene that awaits.

I’m instantly assaulted by the nauseating stench of sweat, urine, and blood. The dimly lit room resembles every serial killer’s dungeon from every true crime show I’ve ever seen. The walls are lined with an array of menacing tools, and in the center of the room sits Hank, tied to a chair with thick ropes digging into his flesh.

“Stop!” I scream, my voice echoing through the vile space.

All eyes turn to me. They’re surprised and angered by my intrusion. But I don’t care if they’re mad; I can’t stand by while they hurt an innocent man.

“What did I just say?” Talon growls, his eyes dark and dangerous.

The other men—Scar, Nitro, Matrix, and Reaper—shift uncomfortably, their expressions a mix of annoyance and concern.

“Untie him!” I demand, my gaze locked on Hank’s bruised and battered face.“This has gone far enough. Let him go, or I swear I won’t stay here any longer. I’ll leave and never look back.”

“Jessica …” Talon growls.

“Choose,” I say, my voice unwavering.“Either you let him go, or I’m gone.”

The tension in the room ratchets up another notch with each passing second. I don’t think Talon’s going to listen to me, but I’ve got to try. Even if Hank’s the man stalking me, they shouldn’t be torturing him. They should take him to the police. Talon’s being completely unreasonable, and I’m starting to wonder how much I really know him. Maybe he’s not the man I thought he was.

Chapter 19: Talon

The pounding in my chest is deafening as I stand there, ignoring Jessica’s pleas. She’s desperate, her eyes wide and scared, but I can’t let go of my suspicions about Hank. I remember her words, asking me to help protect her, to go on the offensive against whoever was tormenting her. That’s exactly what I plan to do.

“Jess,” my voice is low and dangerous,“you told me you wanted this to end. That’s what I’m doing.”

“By kidnapping and torturing my coworker?” she snaps, not backing down.“I didn’t mean for you to do this!”

“Then what did you mean?” I demand, keeping my gaze locked on Hank, who’s bound to the chair. Sweat glistens on his forehead, fear evident in his eyes.“He called you dozens of times while we were at the cabin. Why?”

“I just wanted to make sure she was okay,” Hank whines.

“I don’t believe him.”

“Because he was worried about me!” She glares at me.

“I-It’s true,” Hank says, his voice quivering.“I-I’m not stalking her. I-I was just … worried. She’s been very quiet at work ever since the incident with the stuffed animal. I thought something might have happened to her.”

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