Page 78 of Mason

She leaned over and snagged the cherry Pop-Tarts—her favorites. But she also saw a box of condoms in the bag. A large box, and just like that, all the calm she’d managed to gain went out the proverbial window.

Jo forced herself to open the box and take one of the packages out. “There’s a lot of food here.”

Just keep him talking until you can figure a way out of this. She had no intention of getting raped tonight.

“Yes. I stocked up since we’ll be here a while.”

“You’re staying this time?”

“Yes. I had to tie up a few loose ends, but now I’m all yours.” He winked, and she fought the cringe that tried to surface.

“What’s your name?”

“You don’t know it?”

She shook her head. “You accused me of knowing who you were. That’s why you thought I was at the police station.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No. I was there being questioned about embezzlement.”

That got his attention. “Embezzlement?”

“Someone stole money from my boyfriend’s fraternity then transferred it to his account and then into mine. The police were questioning us about it.”

“I’m sorry it took me so long to get back.” He went back to unpacking the bags. “I know you were short on water, but I had things that had to be done.”

“I understand.” The back door was behind him, and the front door wasn’t going to help her either. It required running, and as exhausted as she was, she’d probably fall and break a leg.

How the hell was she going to get away?

She took another drink from her Coke. Her eyes scanned every inch of the room.

“There isn’t anywhere to go.”

The words were spoken so softly, she would have missed them if she wasn’t hyperaware right now. But the chilling note was not to be missed.

“It’s snowing outside, and the temperature would cause me to freeze to death in a few hours. With my luck, I’d fall and cause myself serious injury, making my escape a moot point, anyway. I’m not stupid.”

“Just clumsy.”

“You didn’t tell me your name.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Well, you know mine. Don’t you think it would be polite if I knew yours?”

He ignored her.

She munched on a fry.

“It won’t work.”

“What won’t?”

“Trying to keep me talking, to make yourself more human to me so I won’t hurt you.”

“You plan on hurting me?”

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