For heaven’s sake.
“I think you’re right. Look at her. She’s quite lovely.”
Okay. That’s Greyson.
Right?
“Hey, why aren’t her hands zip tied? Can someone take care of that?”
I don’t think so.
Shoes brush over the soft carpet, heading in my direction. I cross my arms tightly so no one can force me to do anything I don’t want, but in one swift move, someone has my arms behind my back, strapping my wrists together, cutting into my skin with unforgiving plastic ties. When he’s done and begins to move away, and I hear him in front of me, I kick one foot out with all the force I can. I’m not sure I’ll hit anything, but I sure hope I do.
And I do.
“Ow, shit,” he howls. “Goddammit, she got me again.”
Laughter fills the room and I smile underneath my hood, glad for a moment that they can’t see my face. “Man, you’re gonna be covered with bruises when all is said and done.”
“Yeah, real fucking funny, asshole.”
I’m sure—well, pretty sure—I’m in a room with Max, Greyson, and Rowan. Which is fine. Completely fine, although I don’t know why they had to go through the drama of abducting me in the hallway.
And while it sounds like them, it also doesn’t. Their voices are muffled, somehow.
“Wh… who are you? All of you?” I ask, wondering to what extent I’m supposed to play along.
My question is ignored as footsteps brush over the plush carpet again toward where I’m sitting. A large hand wraps around my upper arm to the point of pain, and I am yanked to my feet. Since I am still wearing only one shoe, I’m completely off balance.
And probably look ridiculous.
“You want this hood taken off, pretty girl?” a voice asks right in my ear.
That would be nice.
But I decide not to be a smart aleck. “Yes. I do. Please.”
The fabric that’s been around my head since I was grabbed in the hallway starts to shift around.
Thank goodness.
“Close your eyes,” he says.
And the hood is lifted.
* * *
CHAPTERTWELVE
LUCI
Even though myhood is removed, I still don’t get to see anything. Of course not. I’m silly to hope otherwise.
My abductors are too smart for anything like that. The second I try to look around the room, my eyes adjusting to the light after being immersed in darkness for so many minutes, a blindfold replaces it, is tied behind my head, and then is adjusted over my eyes—for comfort? For security? I can only guess.
So much for seeing anything. But it is better than the hood, by a lot. The hood was just creepy. Hot. Smelly. Stifling. It left me panicky and fearful.
The blindfold is… sexy, I think is the word to describe it. I mean, I’m still not in control of… anything, really, but it’s somehow not as aggressive, and is certainly more comfortable. I can breathe easier.