He rattles off an address, and I have to turn the SUV around to head in that direction.
I’m somehow elated and filled with dread as I pull into the parking lot of a closed business to see Faith’s car sitting there with a flat tire.
She’s not standing near the vehicle or sitting inside, waiting for a repair man. I have complete faith that if all she had was a flat, she’d call me for help.
When I climb out of the SUV and approach the car, that sick feeling inside of me multiplies, an insidious feeling as if cancer is wrapping itself around every single organ and taking over control. The car door is unlocked, her purse sitting in the passenger seat. I have no doubt her cell phone is inside of it.
I take a step back, nearly stumbling over my own feet as I pull my cell phone from my pocket, once again calling Max.
“I need you to check all security footage around this area. Her car is here. It’s been abandoned with a flat tire!” I yell the second the line connects.
“Are you sure she didn’t walk to a business for help?”
“Not without her purse. Max, someone fucking took her. I’m certain of it.”
“I believe you.”
“I don’t need trust right now. I need answers.”
“I’m working on it right now, Legend. I’m sending some of the guys to your location.”
“I need her, Max. We have to find her. Nothing makes sense without her.”
Chapter 32
Faith
I groan, waking up and feeling like actual shit.
My head throbs with each beat of my heart, and the pain is more familiar than I’m comfortable with. It’s very reminiscent of the morning I woke up after being drugged, only this time around, the nausea is absent. Maybe it’s a good thing, but when I try to move my arms and realize they’re tied, I start to freak out. I would rather be forced to face waves of queasiness over what I’m afraid I’m going to be facing once I can convince my eyes to open.
As if a movie reel is playing before my eyes, I recall what happened.
This morning was the first morning I could crawl out of Ethan’s bed and get further away from him than just the kitchen. It’s my first day back to work, and stupidly, I left the clubhouse because I was desperate for some time alone. When we come together in bed, it’s amazing and I have no complaints. But when we aren’t there distracting each other, my brain always goes right back to knowing it’s going to end soon. I’ve been too dependent on him, leaned on him more than I ever should have.
Today was my new beginning, starting with a day of work spent alone, despite agreeing that he’d be there the entire day. I was hoping when he woke up and found that I’d left without him, he’d take a hint and leave me alone.
As my eyes squint open, I hope I’ve read the entire situation wrong with him, and he’s already in the process of burning the world down to find me.
I try to scream, but the gag tied around my mouth doesn’t allow for it. The only sounds I can manage are pitiful whimpers.
I know whoever tied me up in this freezing room has to be the same person who has been causing the problems in my life.
I try to hold on to the fact that they haven’t physically caused me pain yet, and that may work in my favor, but then I remember that they tried to kill me by throwing a Molotov cocktail through my bedroom window.
My body shudders uncontrollably, causing an ache in my muscles like I’ve never felt.
I’m unable to turn my head to look around without sharp pains shooting up my arm, and the bright light aimed directly at my face is too strong to keep my eyes open. I’m completely vulnerable right now.
I thought the flat tire I had on the way to work was the worst thing ever as I pulled over. I felt like a fool when I reached for my cell phone only to realize I didn’t charge it last night. I was barely able to pull up the information for the mechanic that changed out my tires last time when it died in my hand.
I was out of my car for less than a minute, assessing the damage and trying to talk myself into changing the tire myself when I was struck in the head.
I can tell I’m clothed, which is a huge consolation, considering my current circumstances, but my coat has been removed. The silk blouse I’m wearing is great for my office because Pauline keeps it too damn hot in there, but it’s not close to being enough in this building I’m in.
I try to beg for help, the gag once again preventing any real words from escaping.