Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Callan is insane. That’s the only explanation I have. Who kidnaps someone and holds them hostage for days, giving them no information whatsoever? I keep hoping my father will find me, but clearly Callan has lied to him about me. He had to because there’s no way my dad would go this long without contact from me otherwise. He’d be over here at Callan’s screaming and demanding to talk to me.
If I ever get free, I’m going to make Callan pay. Being locked in a room all day has to be against a law or two. I only get to come out for meals. I’ve been kidnapped. That’s exactly what I will tell the police. Then, I will sue Callan for emotional damages. That will show him!
The biggest thing I’m dealing with, however, has nothing to do with me. I’m worried about Emilia. I’ve not heard from her either. Are Callan and Niko keeping her prisoner, too? I don’t know what to think or believe after all this. I know my best friend. She would be moving heaven and earth to find me.
If she could.
The door opens and I start to tell Mutt off—he’s always the one on night shift—I stop when I see Callan. He closes the door behind him before facing me with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed and boring into me. For some reason, all the anger I had withers under his stare, leaving me nervous as I wring my hands together. I have no idea what to expect from him. Two days ago, when he held me by my neck, he scared me. Later, I realized the bruising kiss he gave me hurt more than the way he was holding me.
At one time, I thought he was one of the gentlest men I’d ever known. Of course, I also thought he was honest. Now, I’m pretty sure I never really knew him. I squirm under his stare until I can’t stand it anymore. Finally, I speak up with the biggest worry I have.
“Is Emilia okay? She hasn’t called.”
“No, she’s not okay, but she’s safe and that’s what matters.”
“What do you mean safe?” I ask, my heart kicking into my throat as I pick apart his words. “Is something wrong? You have to let me go to her. She’s my family.”
“You’re not going anywhere until we have this out, Zoe. Maybe then I will allow you to see your friend.”
“Allow?” I squeak out. “You have no right to talk to me like that, Callan. In fact, everything you’ve been doing to me is against the law. You could be arrested for the things you’ve done.”
“Shut up, Zoe,” he growls.” You’re on very precarious ground right now.” I can’t help but listen and snap my mouth shut. His voice is so commanding that chills move through me, but it’s more than that. There’s an awareness, an electricity that charges my entire body. “Get that look off your face. I would never hurt you, but I will punish you.”
“You make me sound like a little kid and I’m not. I’m a grown woman,” I argue, trying to ignore the excitement that tries to unravel inside of me.
“Believe me, I know that, but you need to learn to stop testing me.”
“I’m not testing you,” I whisper. I feel absolutely deflated having to defend myself when he’s the one that hurt me to begin with. “I won’t put up with a man who tries to play me for a fool.”
I watch as he walks over to a small armchair. He sits down, leaning back, his hands resting on the seat as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Yet, the air is charged with an electrical current around him. I’ve never seen him like this, and it shouldn’t excite me but my body is responding to it like it’s a caress. I am past the point of being able to deny it. Hearing him on the phone with that other woman felt like it ripped my heart out and here I am…
Still wanting him.
“I’ve done nothing but try to show you how much I care for you and how special you are to me. How exactly is that playing you for a fool?”
“You can cut the act, Callan. I’m not buying it anymore.”
“You need to explain yourself now, Zoe and I’m warning you that you need to do it quickly,” he snaps, anger bleeding through every syllable.
“I heard you,” I tell him, my words quivering, giving away my pain.
“What?” He frowns, looking confused.
“I heard you on the phone with that other woman…Denessa. I know you’re having sex with her. Hell, maybe others. I just want to know what’s so special about her that you would see her after what we’ve shared. What does she have that I can’t give you?”