Page 57 of Bold Encounter
Something on the wall gave her pause.There were dozens of photographs, carefully mounted and arranged like a twisted art gallery.There were photos of her leaving her condo, and more of her with Brooke.
There were even photos of her taken through her condo windows.In one picture, Genevieve was sitting on her couch.In another, she was sleeping.
She couldn't handle looking at more.Clearly, keeping the building secure wasn't effective.Her upstairs condo had two windows, and it hadn't occurred to her that it wasn't safe to leave the blinds open.
Genevieve tried to regain her composure, while she scanned the space to look for anything useful.There was a small glass ashtray on the mixing board.And mounted on the wall near the door was a red fire extinguisher.
Numerous electrical cords were visible and would be easy to trip over.She needed to be careful.Briefly, she considered strangling Jason with a cord.Tempting as that idea was, she abandoned it, knowing it was doomed to failure.
Patting her back pocket, she didn't find her phone.Of course, that would have been confiscated by her captors.
The vocal booth might be useful.It had thick walls and a door to block out external noise.It was a potential hiding spot if she needed one.Although she would quickly be discovered.
She noticed something about the studio layout.It was a corner unit, with windows high on two walls.They were several floors above street level.
Before she could walk to the window to consider rescue possibilities, a noise distracted her.
Genevieve listened closer, her heart pounding.The scrape of a key card being used in a lock was followed by the sound of a door handle.
She moved swiftly toward the solid glass ashtray.It was roughly the size of her palm.She slipped the potential weapon into her jacket pocket.It would have to do.
Genevieve quickly moved away from the mixing board, positioning herself near the center of the room where she could get to either the fire extinguisher or the vocal booth if needed.
She attempted to look confused and helpless.If she could show Jason what he expected, then she could buy time and stay alive.
*****
The door opened with a soft electronic beep, and Jason stepped into the studio like he owned the world.He was immaculately dressed in an expensive suit, his dark hair perfectly styled.His blue eyes were bright with manic energy.He looked like a successful record executive, not a kidnapper.
"Finally," he said, his voice filled with what sounded like genuine relief."We can talk without interruptions…without that cop poisoning your mind against me."
Genevieve kept silent, watching him carefully.His movements were slow and precise, as though it took effort to contain his emotions.
Jason waited for the door to close, then he moved into the room.His gaze didn't leave her face."You have no idea how hard it's been, watching you throw away everything that we could build together."
He moved past the photos on the wall, a reminder of how thoroughly he'd invaded her life.
"Jason," she said, keeping her voice level, "whatisthis place?"
His face lit up with pleasure, as if she'd asked exactly the right question."This is our new beginning, Genevieve.A real recording studio, just for us.State-of-the-art equipment, soundproof rooms—everything an artist could dream of."He gestured around the studio with obvious pride."I had it built specifically with you in mind.The acoustics are ideal for your voice.The mixing capabilities are industry leading.I can make you a star here, the blues legend you're meant to be."
"By kidnapping me?"The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Jason's expression darkened for just a moment, then smoothed back into that unnerving calm."I rescued you from mediocrity, from that cop who doesn't understand what you're capable of.I saved you from an industry that was never going to give you what you deserve."
He began pacing around her in a slow circle, gesturing expressively as he spoke."From the moment you walked into my studio all those years ago, I knew you were unique.I saw your potential when no one else did.Every opportunity I gave you and every door I opened was an expression of pure, professional love."
The concept made her skin crawl.
"And you repaid me with betrayal," Jason said in a wounded tone."You left my band just when we were building something incredible together.You married that loser instead of recognizing what we had."
Genevieve could see the perverted logic in his mind, the way he'd rewritten their entire history to cast himself as the wronged romantic lead."Jason, we never had anything romantic.I worked for you.That's all."
"That'sall?"His voice rose slightly, and she saw a flash of rage that lurked beneath the surface."I gave you your career!I saw your talent when you were nobody, singing in dive bars for pocket change.I elevated you, refined you, and made you into something worthwhile."
He stopped pacing and faced her directly, eyes blazing with conviction."Look around you.This is what I've built for you, and forus.The Barraco family backed the deals I've made and supported the successful elimination of competitors.Every single move was calculated to bring us to this moment."
A knot formed in Genevieve's stomach.She remembered what Abe had told her about organized crime connections.Jason wasn't just unstable.He was backed by killers.
