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)
Reaching down, I pull out my phone. I haven’t spoken to Wolfe since he told me everything, but he’s the only person I can think of right now who might be able to help. I’m just about to unlock the phone when a loud gunshot rings out, then Jace is swerving. His frantic yelp sends shockwaves through me, and I drop my phone, gripping the door as the car spirals out of control.
“Jace,” I cry out.
“They shot the tire.”
This is bad.
The car skids to a stop on the other side of the road, and I’m incredibly thankful for seatbelts in that moment. Spinning around in my seat, I see two men wearing all black get out of the van and begin walking towards us at a rapid pace, a gun in their hands. Oh no. Frantically, I unbuckle the seatbelt and reach for my phone, just as Jace locks the doors.
The men reach the car, their faces hidden behind dark masks. My heart races as one of them taps the window with the gun, signaling for me to get out. I glance at Jace, horrified that I have put him in this position. I don’t want him to get hurt, and so I know I have to get out of this car. I don’t know who these men are, but I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to him.
"Mera, stay calm," Jace whispers, though his voice trembles. “Don’t unlock the door. I’m going to call 911.”
The men slam their gun onto the window once more, before turning it and pointing it right at Jace and indicating for me to get out. "Jace, please," I beg, my voice breaking. "Let me go. I can't let you get hurt because of me. I won’t risk it. Find Wolfe, tell him what happened. Please.”
He hesitates, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I can't just leave you, Mera. They’ll kill you.”
"You have to," I say, my voice firm even though I’m utterly terrified. "Please, Jace. I need you to be safe. I won’t let you get hurt because of me.”
Before he can respond, the man slams the gun so hard on the window it shatters, and a rough hand reaches in, unlocking the door and swinging it open. Before I can say another word, he is pulling me out. I struggle, but his grip is unyielding.
"Get out," the man growls, dragging me from the car.
Jace calls out my name and unlocks his door to leap out of the car, desperation in his eyes, but the second man reaches in and swings his gun, striking him hard across the head. I watch in horror as he slumps forward, unconscious, his body collapsing against the steering wheel.
"Jace!" I scream, squirming, trying to get out of this man’s strong grip, but he continues to drag me away, ignoring my cries.
My heart shatters.
They shove me into the van, the door slamming shut with finality. As the vehicle speeds away, I feel the crushing weight of fear gripping my chest. My mind races with thoughts of Jace who is now alone on the side of the road, unconscious. What if he dies before anybody finds him? What if he doesn’t go to Wolfe?
The thoughts are too much to bear.
I try to calm my racing heart, but the uncertainty of what lies ahead terrifies me.
Deep down, I already know who has me.
The problem is, I don’t know how I’m going to survive it.
15
The drive isn’t long, and before I know it, the van is slowing down. I press my back to the far wall, holding my knees up to my chest, terrified of what’s coming next but knowing I have to find a strength within myself now, otherwise I’m not escaping this. I have to dig deep and bring out the wild side buried within me.
I won’t die here.
The van doors swing open, and the same two men order me out. I do as I’m told, not wanting to risk being beaten and having even more of my strength ripped away from me. The moment my feet hit the ground, one of the men curls his fingers around my upper arm and jerks me in the direction of an old, abandoned house.
“Steady on,” I snap. “I’m walking.”
“Shut the fuck up,” the man growls.
As we approach the house, I can’t help but admire its haunting silhouette against the darkening sky. Its windows are shattered, broken shards and jagged edges, no doubt once filled with so many memories. The wooden boards are worn and weathered, the paint peeling, revealing molding panels beneath. The roof sags, and the deck has multiple large holes that have rotted out over time.
Surrounding the house, the overgrown grass and weeds brush against my legs as I’m dragged forward. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth, a reminder of the life that once thrived here but has long since been forgotten. Trees encircle the property, with overgrown branches. Once, I have no doubt, they would have been the perfect entrance to this place.