Page 84 of Those That Don't Exist
His words sound logical but deep all consuming fear consumes them.
“I’m not leaving the city. I’m not running from those assholes, as we agreed,” I shout back.This city is the only thing I have left.
“We can't fight off the entire pack. I thought we could come up with a plan but, after seeing you like that, how easily they managed to drug you. No, I can’t keep you safe here.”
I look around as if a solution is sitting on one of the work surfaces in the little apartment.
“Where’s my phone?” I ask, suddenly thinking of Bree and Claire. They'll be worried if I’m not at home.
“I had to ditch our phones on the way here.” Ty says so casually like this is a very normal thing to do.
“You took my phone?”Who is this guy in front of me?
“I had to, in case they tried to track us through them.”
That does it. I push past him and head straight for the apartment door.
I wrench on the handle but stumble when it doesn’t open. I try pushing and pulling but it doesn’t budge. It's locked, and there’s no key in the mechanism.
Spinning back around I summon a stronger voice. “Ty, I want to go home. Unlock the door.”
He looks at me like he wants to give in but I see the steel resolve behind his gaze.
“You need to stay here, Rory. We have a boat booked for this afternoon.”
My entire body freezes. “Um… Excuse me, what?!”
“I booked us tickets before I ditched the phones. Please sit and relax. We have a couple of hours before we need to leave.”
“Ty, open the door,” I demand. He isn’t listening.
“We need to stay hidden for a few hours," he continues over me. “I made sure to hide our scents for the last few blocks last night but I’m sure the pack will be sniffing around.”
“No, you’re not getting it. I’m going back to my house. I have classes. I’ll stay locked up in my house or surrounded by people like I have been the last few weeks.” My voice rises with each sentence. “Open the door, now.”
Ty falls silent.
“Unlock the door,” I repeat.
“I can’t,” he replies, not meeting my eyes.
“Yes, you can. You’re choosing not to. Are you really going to keep me prisoner here?” I say, calm once more, but I can hear the pleading in my voice.
“I’m keeping you safe.”
“No, you’re not listening to me. I didn’t agree to come here. I didn’t agree to leave. Now let me go.” My chest tightens, my ribs refusing to expand and take in the oxygen I need.
“No.”
His answer crashes around me. It's like a physical blow. The male in front of me is not the person I thought he was. I’m stunned, totally immobile for a few seconds. We stand staring at one another, it’s like I’m seeing him for the first time.
“Ty, I swear to the gods if you don’t let me out of here now…” I trail off as I see my threat won’t land. We’re probably six stories up, I don’t know where the key is. Ty is entirely in control here. He’s stronger, his bulk and muscle far outweighing my own, and has a steely resolve in his eyes which is only getting more potent.
The guy I’ve gotten to know has never forced anything on me. He’s been sweet and caring and nothing but helpful and kind. He’s been teaching me, letting me fall for him. Has this always been his plan? Seduce me and steal me? Have I been completely naive?
“Have you… have you been playing me?” I choke out the words. The pain erupting from my chest soars into my throat, tasting like ash.
“What? Rory, no! Red, please. Why can’t you trust me enough when I say you’re in real danger from my old pack?”
