Chapter 0028
The only reason I had any hope at all that he might do it was because Amanda was with us. Otherwise, I had no doubt that David would let us die.
How did this happen? The day had been going so well, and it had taken such a drastic turn that it was hard to believe this was real and not just a nightmare. But the ropes digging painfully into my wrists assured me that this was no dream.
My mother was so calm, and I tried to make her proud by staying as calm as I could. It wasn’t easy under these circumstances, but I was sure I was doing better than Amanda. I could hear her heavy, frightened breathing nearby, and I knew she was panicking
Several minutes passed with almost no sound, then the kidnappers started to speak to each other again.
“I gave him the drop points,” one of them said. “He’ll be bringing the money.”
“And our people are in place?” the one who seemed to be the leader asked.
“They’re ready for it,” was the reply.
“Good. Then all we have to do is wait,” the leader said.
The sound of chairs scraping nearby told me they were sitting down, followed by their quiet chatter and the smell of cigarette smoke.
It seemed they were going to leave us alone as they waited, which was a relief. If David really had agreed to pay the ransom, then maybe we would get out of this unharmed. It was the best–case scenario, really. But the 1
the longer we waited, the more afraid I became, and the more agitated the kidnappers grew.
“What is taking so long?” the leader demanded. “Call our guys at the drop point. I want an update.”
yes,
sir,” one of the men said. After a few moments of hushed speaking into the phone, I heard a hand collide heavily with the wooden table. The sound startled me so much that I jumped in my seat.
“He didn’t show,” the man said, his voice tight with frustration. “That bum stood us up.”
“Does he think this is a joke?” the boss asked angrily. The sound of a chair scraping back was followed by the sound of footsteps approaching us. “If that’s the case, we’ll just have to show him we mean business. A little blood usually does the trick.”
“What does that mean?” Amanda asked. There was an odd tone to her voice, like she was honestly curious and not afraid.
“We’ll need to hurt one of you,” the man replied. “That way, he knows not to take us so lightly.”
“Don’t hurt me! Ella is his fiance,” Amanda cried out. “David would be most worried about her!”
I felt a rough hand grip my chin tightly, and then something cold pressed against my cheek. “We’ll see how he likes your pretty face after I drag my knife across it,” the man sneered.
My heart was hammering, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Please don’t,” I said as calmly as I could. “Hurting me will do nothing to get a reaction from him.”
“Is this the part where you try to convince me that you two broke up?” the leader asked sarcastically. “Save your breath, princess.”
I felt the blade press into my cheek, and then a wet trickle of blood slid downward. I hissed in pain but did my best
Chapter 0020
not to mov
terrified that any sudden motion might cause him to cut me worse.
I clenched my teeth and braced myself, waiting for the slash that seemed inevitable.
“That’s enough!” a deep voice boomed from nearby. The entire room fell silent.
There was something familiar about that voice, though I couldn’t immediately place it. But I knew for certain I had heard it before.
“You,” the leader said, his tone suddenly uncertain. “What are you doing here?
“I should be asking you the same question,” the voice replied angrily. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing in my territory?”
