I bite my lip and tuck my matted hair behind my ear. “And what’s that?”
“I’ll fix his problem.”
I narrow my eyes not understanding until I see the gleam in his eyes. His eyes darken, his grin widens, and he licks his bottom lip like he’s about to devour the most delicious meal he’s ever tasted.
“I’m going to rape you.”
7
Eden
Rape.
I’ve known it was a possibility since Matteo forced me onto his private plane, but I always thought I would be strong enough to stop it from happening. I’ve taken self-defense classes. I’m smart and know how to find people’s weak points and exploit them. I thought I would be able to escape long before anyone even attempted to rape me.
Matteo thought about raping me. I saw the glimmer in his eyes every now and again. He couldn’t do it, or at least I don’t remember him doing it. Something held him back. I can’t rely on the same thing happening with Armas. I don’t know him, but from the way he’s devouring me, I think he’s far more evil than Matteo has ever pretended to be.
I swallow hard.
“You’re not going to rape me.”
His grin widens. “You’re a spitfire, huh? I’m going to enjoy this.”
“No, you’re going to be sitting with a bag of ice on your balls for a week, recovering from your wounds.”
He purses his lips together as he studies me up and down. I don’t look like much, not in my weakened state, but it doesn’t matter. Let him think I’m delicate and incapable of anything; it will only make it easier for me to escape.
I have to take him down. Matteo is gone, along with all of his men, dealing with whatever latest attack. If I can get past Armas, then I might be free.
I try to decide if I should wait for him to grab me or strike first. My blood is pumping, already full of adrenaline. My legs bounce, and my mouth dries. I feel the fear, but mostly the excitement, at the possibility of being free.
Free.
I never thought I would be begging to be released. I never thought I would have to struggle for it, but that’s what I’m going to do. And when I gain it back, I’m going to fight every day to ensure every other innocent, kidnapped person is freed and stays that way.
I can’t wait for Armas to try and take even more from me. I have to run. Now.
I ball my hand into a fist, and then I jab it forcefully into his neck as hard as I can. My arms are weaker than usual, but the adrenaline and determination make up for the disability.
He grabs his throat as he struggles to breathe.
I jump out of my chair and start running. I don’t shoot out the back of the house. I know what awaits me back there. An immense forest and rolling hills that lead nowhere. I’d be sprinting for days to get to anyone who could help me. I don’t have the strength to flee more than a few hours at best.
Instead, I race toward the other side of the house, which leads out to the garage. I need a car if I have a chance to escape.
My legs stumble as I run, like they are going to give out at any moment, but I don’t let the fear of falling consume me. Instead, I allow it to drive me forward. I let it fill me.
The fear of failing. The fear of giving up. The fear of what would happen if Armas caught me. The fear of what will happen to Nina if I don’t stop Matteo from finding her. I let it all fuel me to make my legs move faster.
I don’t know if it’s enough. I know I’m not quicker than Matteo. Armas appears fit. He doesn’t look like he’s had a day of manual labor, unlike Matteo who gets his hands dirty protecting his business on a daily basis. Armas is used to sitting in a corporate office building, away from the action. Hopefully, my fitness will be enough to outrun him.
I don’t turn around or glance behind me to see if I’m right. I keep moving, running fast.
I haven’t been to the garage. I don’t know if Matteo keeps the keys in the cars or nearby. I don’t even know how many cars he has in the garage, or if there are any left, but it’s my only hope.
I turn down another hallway and see the door at the end that I think leads to the garage.
I can make it.