Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
I flinch.
“Why, because you figured out he didn’t love you?” I retort. “Is that what this is? You’re butthurt because your fake daddy didn’t care about you the way you thought?”
He slaps me again, this time sending me flying back so hard I smash into an old desk in the corner of the room. As I hit the ground, pain radiates through my body, but I refuse to let it break me. The impact is jarring, and for a moment, I fear I might just black out. I won’t give this dick the satisfaction.
I grit my teeth, determined not to show weakness. My resolve hardens, and I push myself up, ignoring the throbbing in my side. I won't let Caleb see me defeated. I won't give him what he so desperately wants. I rise slowly, meeting his gaze with defiance. No matter what he does, I won’t go down without a fight. I am stronger than this, stronger than him, and I will find a way out of this nightmare.
Caleb grins. “I see you have your daddy's streak in you. We’ll have fun, Mera. You’re going to enjoy this.”
With that, he turns and walks out, leaving me standing alone in the room with the two guards staring daggers at me.
This isn’t over.
Oh no, far from it.
He’s right, I do have my father's streak, and it’s one he doesn’t want to see.
I’M LEFT IN THAT ROOM with the two guards for a couple of hours, before one of them receives a call and then I find myself being dragged from the room to a basement below the house. The basement itself is dimly lit, with a single flickering bulb casting shadows across the cold concrete walls. The air is thick with the smell of mildew and something metallic, like rust or old blood.
When we reach the main open area, my eyes move to a girl and my heart skips a beat. She is around my age, and I already know who she is – I’ve seen the pictures, I’ve watched the news, hell, I’ve been accused of taking her. It’s Nia and she's huddled in a corner, her eyes drooping with exhaustion. Her clothes are dirty and torn, and her wrists are red raw, like at some point, she has been bound with rough rope. Despite her disheveled appearance, there's a spark of defiance in her eyes that mirrors my own.
Seeing her like this, my heart aches with a mix of relief and anger. Relief that she's alive, and anger at the monster who put her here. I want to rush to her, to reassure her that we'll find a way out, but the guards' firm grip on my arms keeps me in place. He isn’t letting me move until he’s good and ready.
Nia looks up, her gaze meeting mine. I do the only thing I can, and that is to offer a small smile, in hopes that she will know I’m not here to hurt her. I’m on her side. We're both trapped in this nightmare, but seeing her, only strengthens my resolve. I will find a way to get us out of here, no matter what it takes.
I will fight for both of us.
The guard tosses me to the ground, and with that, he turns and leaves. I’m grateful to see him go, and the moment the door slams closed and locks, I rush over to where Nia is sitting, kneeling down in front of her. She’s exceptionally beautiful, which I already knew from the pictures, but up close, she’s even prettier.
Her hair is a soft strawberry blond and her eyes are vibrant green. She’s only tiny and petite, from behind, you would probably assume she was only a teen. She’s like a little pocket version of a lady and it’s absolutely adorable. Nia is beautiful in a way that is rare. “You’re Nia.”
It’s not a question.
She nods. “And you’re Mera.”
How does she know who I am?
“You know me?”
She shakes her head. “Not personally, but that psycho up there has made it clear to me that the reason I’m here, is because of you.”
Guilt grips my chest. “I’m so sorry you got caught up in this. Until a few days ago, I didn’t even know who Caleb was. He’s coming after me for something I had no part in. Instead, he is hoping to make me suffer for the sins of my father.”
Nia purses her lips. “Yes, well, the man is unhinged.”
A smile tugs my lips. I think I’m going to like her. “Just a little.”
Her eyes lighten and she offers me a small smile in return.
“Your family are still looking for you,” I tell her.
She looks away, her eyes flashing with something I can’t quite read. “I wish I cared.”
That doesn’t sound good.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you weren’t close with them.”