Page 21 of Omega Tricked
Whether those memories would help me get out of this terrifying situation, I had no way of knowing. But I had to believe I would escape. I hadn’t gone through all I had the past year just to end up murdered in a bathtub. I’d spent months and months trying to put myself back together after losing Ayden. I’d wanted to die more than anything after my son perished. But I hadn’t taken my life. I’d somehow managed to forge ahead, crippled emotionally but trying to heal. I’d had to take it day by day, but I hadn’t given in to the desire to end everything.
A strangled laugh stuck in my throat, muffled by the gag. This twisted situation made one thing clear: I didn’t want to die. I wanted to escape to safety. After a year of toying with the notion of ending my life, I now realized I didn’t want to die. I wanted to live.
My sudden epiphany was shocking, but it also filled me with a strange calm. I’d watch and wait for a chance to escape. I’d act submissive until the moment was right, and then I’d run. I’d run from these monsters who held me. I’d run with everything in me.
I’d run for my life.
Chapter Eight
Lex
“I’m sorry, boss,” Gabriele said, right before he punched me in the face.
His fist smashed against my cheekbone, and I gritted my teeth to stifle my cry of pain. My face throbbed, and I glared at him. It wasn’t fair to be mad; this was all just part of preparing me for my big acting debut. We’d had Dylan trapped in the bathroom for two days, and it was time for me to play the other victim.
I was going to pretend that I too had been grabbed at the Purple Pooch while trying to save him. I’d say I’d tried to stop Hank from grabbing him and had been taken too. That made me his instant hero. I’d say Hank had kept us separate at first because he’d been working me over, furious that I’d interrupted his kidnapping of Dylan. I hoped Dylan would buy my story and accept that now we’d have to fight together to survive.
I straightened and met Gabriele’s apologetic gaze. “Smack my bottom lip. Make it bleed.”
“You sure?” He looked uneasy. “Swear you’re not going to beat my ass when this is all over?”
I laughed grimly. “While at the moment I’d love to do exactly that, if this plan works, I’ll forgive you the bloody lip.”
“And the bruised cheek.” He winced as he stared at my face. “Shit, it’s already swelling.”
I touched my cheek and cringed at how tender it felt. “That will just make it more believable.”
Gabriele sighed. “Maybe you should have had Hank do this part. I have a feeling he’d enjoy it.”
I scowled. “Yeah, a little too much. No, thanks.”
“Where is Hank?” Gabriele frowned.
“I sent him to work out in the hotel gym. The guys got too much pent-up aggression.” I braced myself. “Okay, I’m read. Hit me.”
His face tensed. “Okay.” He swung his arm and hit me hard.
I fell backward on the bed, my head ringing. When I licked my lower lip, I tasted blood, and I nodded approvingly. I sat up, and the room spun around a little. “Shit. You clocked me good.”
“Sorry.” Gabriele truly looked repentant.
I stood slowly and resisted the instinctive urge to punch him back. “Okay. When you throw me in the bathroom, you gotta make it look good. Shove me hard. I’m gonna fight back, so be ready.”
“Okay.” He clenched his jaw. “I hope this works.”
“Me too.” I had high hopes. Gabriele said that Dylan seemed more and more demoralized as time went on. Two days of not knowing what was happening had him cowed. “Remember, tomorrow after you bring us food, you’re going to accidentally forget to lock the door.” I smirked. “Then I’ll play the hero and lead us to freedom.”
“You’ve got it.” Gabriele sounded confident, but the twitch in his cheek gave him away.
We walked to the bathroom door. “Okay, here we go,” I whispered. I had to admit, I was anxious. Dylan had been so difficult to connect to before, a small part of me worried he’d see through this ruse. If so, this whole charade wouldn’t work, and we’d have to figure out what to do with him. I didn’t like the idea of hurting the kid, but I also had no desire to go to prison for kidnapping. As much as I hated violence, if it was him or me… it’d be him. “Remember, make it believable.”
Nodding, Gabriele unlatched the slide lock we’d installed on the outside of the bathroom door. He yanked the door open and growled, “Get in there, asshole.”
He shoved me hard, and I went flying onto the ceramic tile. I almost hit my head on the toilet but managed to miss at the last second. I jumped to my feet and lunged toward the door, taking a swing at Gabriele’s head. He ducked and kicked me backward, and I fell on my ass with a grunt. I almost laughed because he wasn’t playing around. But instead, I plastered an angry expression on my face and tried for the door again. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Dylan sitting up, looking startled.
“You’ll pay for this, fucker!” I growled, winking at Gabriele.
He didn’t respond; instead he slammed the door in my face. I pounded on it, yelling for him to let me out, which of course, he ignored. Breathing hard, I turned around when Dylan started mumbling loudly, his words muffled by the gag in his mouth. When I faced him, I did my best to look shocked.
