Page 12 of Forever

I’d only seen Tanner look this excited when he’d told me that Kennedy fucked Felix.

“Are you implying that Brooklyn is going to fall in love with Magnus King?” Rob asked.

“Huh,” Tanner said. “I didn’t think of that. But it wouldn’t be unprecedented. She’s fallen in love with her captor before…”

“Quit it.” I glared at him. “No one is falling in love with Brooklyn tonight.”

“She was naked when he took her,” Rob said. “And if your painting is accurate, he might fall in love with her…”

I hit him in the back of his head.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “I’m just saying we should be prepared for what we’re about to walk into.”

“I’d be so pissed if that’s the love in the air I feel,” Tanner said. “I didn’t even introduce them. What a waste.”

What the fuck were the two of them going on about? “Brooklyn isn’t sleeping with Magnus King right now.” I knew my girl. She was a fighter. She was the strongest person I knew, even if sometimes she didn’t believe it. And I’d bet she was punching Magnus King square in the nuts right now.

Chapter 4

Friday

Brooklyn

My kidnapper untied my mask and put his hands on my shoulders.

I cringed at the bright light of the room.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

No, I’m not alright. You fucking kidnapped me. You told me Luigi Locatelli plans on killing my whole family. And I can’t breathe!

I blinked as his face came into focus. He actually looked…kind. If a kidnapper really could look that way. He seemed genuinely concerned about me gasping for air though.

“It’s just a panic attack,” I gasped and bent forward.

“Do you get these a lot?” He kept his hands on my shoulders and it was oddly comforting.

I took a shaky breath. “Only when I think about my world falling apart.”

He didn’t respond. He just stayed there with his hands on my shoulders.

I took another deep breath. It didn’t matter how kind my kidnapper was suddenly being. I still needed to get out of this room. My son needed me. Matt needed me. My friends needed me. I wasn’t as forgettable as I once thought. And I wasn’t going down without a fight.

I exhaled slowly as I looked around the office we were in. It was all white with modern furniture. Lots of sharp edges. I could use that to my advantage.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

I will be in a second.I lifted my knees as fast as possible so I could kick him in the groin.

But his hand fell from my shoulder and he grabbed my ankles before I made contact. “Nice try.” He stayed on eye level with me.

I hated how kind he looked.

“Was that whole thing an act or…”

“I wish.” Having panic attacks at the exact wrong moments weren’t exactly helpful.

“Would some water help?”

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