Chapter Twenty-Five
MADDIE
I’ve been a hostage for two days. Hostage might be a stretch, considering they aren’t torturing me, and I’m allowed to eat and basically do whatever I want—as long as I don’t try to escape.
Ty is nice so far, but Eric acts like he has a permanent stick up his ass.
I’ve learned that they work for and report directly to Victoria, not her dad.
Neither of them knew what their mission was before coming here and were told shortly before my arrival.
I’m good at asking the right questions even if they hadn’t meant to tell me that information.
Eric scowls at Ty anytime he talks to me, but I’m bored as fuck.
If I don’t talk to someone, I’ll go insane.
The cameras freak me out a little, but after a day, I stopped looking up at them. She can see me, which means I have to play along in her game and behave until I can leave. I hate not knowing what’s going on and how long I’ll be here, but she won’t tell me anyway so I don’t bother asking.
I miss Liam although I’m pissed at him.
I miss the way we teased each other.
I miss his touch. His lips. His large hands.
I miss the way he’d look at me as if he couldn’t help but stare. Like he wanted to devour me.
But he kept the truth from me. And that’s what keeps a fire lit under the heartache.
It’s almost eleven, and after sleeping all night and half the morning, I’m energized and ready to do something. There’s a hot tub outside, but I didn’t pack my swimsuit. I could wear shorts and a sports bra, but I have a feeling that’d be frowned upon.
Instead of letting myself go crazy, I change into some leggings and a leotard. If I can’t go to class, I might as well practice. First, I’ll do some stretches and meditation and then work on some dance techniques.
I pull my hair up into a ballerina bun and saunter into the living room, which is honestly as big as Liam and Mason’s entire house. The sectional sofa takes up one side and expensive looking chairs are on the other. If I wasn’t a ball of nerves, I might enjoy the space and binge-watch TV shows.
Scrolling through the channels, I can only find a yoga class for beginners and decide it’s better than nothing.
Eric’s in the corner watching my every move, an annoying shadow that never goes away, but the moment Ty clears his throat, I nearly lose my tree pose balance.
I haven’t seen him all morning, and he just shows up out of nowhere.
“I’ve got it from here,” Ty tells Eric. “You can go on break.”
“I don’t need a break,” Eric argues, keeping his stance firm.
“Too bad. Boss wants you to call her,” Ty retorts, his eyes burning into Eric’s.
They stare at each other, neither moving nor speaking.
What the fuck?
“Or you could both leave because I’m a big fucking girl and don’t need a babysitter,” I blurt, then smirk when they glare at me.
“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t even know where I am, and I’m not dumb enough to start running in a random direction outside in the middle of nowhere.
I’ve watched plenty of horror movies and know that never ends well.
So if you two need to have a lover’s spat in private, I’ll be right here doing yoga when you return. ” I tilt my head and smile sweetly.
Eric looks as if he wants to strangle me, his dark eyes turning to slits as he scowls.
Ty has the faintest smirk on his lips that he tries to hide with a fake cough.
“I’ll be back in twenty.” Eric breaks the silence, then stomps out of the room like a man-child. My eyes follow him until he’s out of sight.
“I think your best friend hates me,” I tease before turning back to the TV and moving into the same position as the teacher.
Ty stands on the opposite wall with his hands folded in front of him.
He’s not buff like Liam, but tall and lean like a swimmer.
His biceps bulge from his shirt, and it’s hard not to notice his muscles.
Ty looks like he’s a fast runner, which means even if I did try to run, he’d catch up to me in half a second.
“Would you mind grabbing me a bottle of water?” I ask as I switch into downward dog.
“I’m here to watch you, not wait on you.”
“And you’ll be performing CPR when I lose my breath and pass out,” I retort. Stretching, I move my body until my eyes are on the ceiling. “Hope you’ve been trained for that.”
I risk a glance at him and see the corner of his lips tilt up just the tiniest bit. He’s amused but tries to hide it.
“You remind me of my boyfriend,” I tell him when I stand and exhale.
“Well, probably ex-boyfriend now that he hid the truth from me, and I ended up here with you.” I flash him an amused smile so he knows I’m not a threat.
“He was all quiet and reserved around me too, but I eventually broke him down.” Lifting my arms above my head, I shift from side to side and stretch my muscles.
“Took me a bit, but now that I’m well-practiced, I’ll be much faster at breaking through next time. ”
Ty shifts uncomfortably as if he’s trying to keep a straight face since there are cameras. He’s more easygoing than Eric, and if I have any chance of getting out of here, Ty’s my ticket.
“Maddie.” Ty and I turn to Eric who’s behind us. “You need to respond to a text so your phone will stop blowing up.”
I walk eagerly toward him with Ty on my heels.
I hadn’t known where my cell was until now, but it makes sense that Victoria would have them keep it.
If I don’t respond to my sisters after a couple of days, it’ll send a million red flags, and after Sophie’s kidnapping last year, they won’t think twice about reporting me missing.
“There are rules…” Eric warns harshly. “You can use it with supervision only. Type out your message, then one of us will read it and give you permission to send. Failure to cooperate will result in consequences.” He repositions himself so I can see the two guns in his shoulder holster. “Text your sisters only.”
Nodding, I look at the screen and see twenty-five unread messages with ten from Liam. The others are from Sophie and Lennon. Along with over a dozen missed calls and voicemails.
Liam
I know you didn’t leave willingly. If by any chance you get this, give me some kind of clue to where you are. I’m going crazy.
I won’t let her do anything to you. I swear, Mads. I miss you and will do whatever it takes to get you back.
When this is over, please let me explain. I know you’re mad at me right now, and you have every right to be, but what we have is stronger than this. Please.
I clench my jaw, unable to keep reading his messages.
I’m so pissed at him, even if my heart aches for his touch.
I miss the way he’d whisper my name as our bodies unraveled together, the way he’d hold me, and the way he’d suffer through hours of mindless TV and movies because he knew it made me happy.
But that doesn’t excuse what he did. I was blindsided by Victoria’s news. Their news.
“Hurry,” Eric demands.
I glare at him, keeping my angry thoughts to myself. I look at my sisters’ messages and see they started a group text.
Sophie
Where the hell are you?
Lennon
You can stay here if you need space. We’ll make room.
Sophie
Are you safe?
Sophie
Who are you staying with?
Lennon
Please answer so Sophie can stop freaking out.
I scan the rest of their messages with the most recent one being from Sophie ten minutes ago.
Sophie
I’m about to call the fucking National Guard if you don’t answer me. You know Mason’s job has connections, and I won’t stop at anything to find you. So you either respond with a selfie so I know you’re alive or I’m having Mason’s friend track your phone.
Shit.
“She wants a selfie,” I say.
“I know,” Eric replies. “The location has been disabled on your phone, but do what she wants so she stops freaking out.” Sophie won’t stop until I’m back at home, but I don’t tell him that.
Swallowing hard, I nod and walk around to find a good spot for a picture.
I’m sweaty from yoga and look like a hot mess, but maybe that’d convince her I’m alive and well.
I find a blank wall and then position myself.
I stick out my tongue, hold up a peace sign, and snap a pic. Then I attach it to the group message.
Maddie
I’m fine. I was just doing yoga actually. See?
I show Eric and wait for his nod of approval before hitting send.
Sophie
Madelyn Grace! Where the hell have you been?
Lennon
You look sweaty like you’ve been having lots of hot sex. If you ran away with a sexy billionaire, you can tell us.
Maddie
Yes. His name is BOB. He’s the grandson of a dildo inventor, and he swept me away to the Alaskan mountains where we’re hot-tubbing naked and drinking five-thousand-dollar bottles of wine.
I type out my response, then show Eric who looks less than amused.
“Trust me, if I’m not my normal sarcastic self, they’ll know something’s up,” I explain.
“Fine, but you have a minute, and then I’m taking your phone back.”
I hit send and wait for their responses.
Lennon
Told ya she was out getting dicked. You owe me 20 bucks, Soph.
Sophie
You two are the most annoying sisters ever! I hate you both.
Maddie
I’m fine! I’m not a child and can take care of myself for a week or two, okay? I just needed some space, and I can’t have that being in the same house as him.
I hit send before showing Eric, needing to wrap up this conversation.
Sophie
You really sure you’re okay?
Maddie
I promise. I’ll reach out when I’m ready.
Lennon
We’re here if you need anything, Mads.
Sophie
Please don’t stay gone too long. I miss you.
Maddie
I know. I miss and love you both.
Then I show Eric and give him back the phone.
“Well done.” He tucks it into his pocket.
Lying to them when they’re so damn worried makes me feel sick to my stomach. I have to do what’s necessary, but it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.
“I’m gonna shower and take a nap,” I say.