“I left my phone in the house. I need to go back and grab it before we go any farther,” Markus says.
“You go back. I’m not going to get that far ahead,” I say and rest a hand on my belly. It takes me a lot longer to walk than it used to. Being pregnant is quite exhausting, not that I don’t love it, but it’s harder to get around than it used to be a few weeks ago.
Markus grumbles under his breath. “Boss won’t like that,” he says.
“Jace doesn’t have to know. I’ll stay on this street and waddle a few more houses down. You’ll be able to catch up with me.”
Markus pinches his lips together. “Fine, but don’t stray off the main road.”
“When do I ever?” I ask, giving him a pointed look.
He jogs back to the gate and dashes across the lawn for the main entrance.
I continue to waddle my way down the road. It’s nice to have a few minutes of peace and quiet outside to myself. It feels like forever since I’ve been left alone, unattended.
The silence and peacefulness are cut short.
A white van pulls up beside me as I’m walking, the back door slides open, and two men jump out, forcing me at gunpoint inside.
“Get in!” one of the armed men shouts. He’s dressed all in black, except for his face. I don’t recognize him, and he doesn’t seem to care that I see who is abducting me.
That doesn’t bode well. If he doesn’t care, does he plan on killing me?
Maybe he wants to hold me hostage for ransom? If they know that I’m connected to Jace Barone, that I’m carrying his daughter, then it’s possible they just want a payday.
I glance back over my shoulder. The house is just out of view from the bend in the road. There’s still no sign of Markus.
“Who are you?” I try to stall.
The man pistol whips me across the face. “Get in!” his roar is deafening.
I wipe the blood from my forehead and climb into the vehicle, intentionally dropping one of my leather gloves behind for Markus to find. Hopefully, the smeared blood will give them a clue that I’m in danger.