Chapter Twenty-Nine
MADDIE
Ty’s still here.
Thank God.
It’s been two days since I overheard Eric tell Ty he’s leaving, and I’m scared like hell that his replacement is going to somehow be worse than Eric. Ty is my only saving grace while being stuck here.
Even after that happened, Ty never acted like anything was wrong. He helped me in the gym yesterday and this morning as if things weren’t about to change. I want to ask him about it, but I’m worried I’ll set him off or something since Victoria can hear us on the cameras.
What happens after he goes? Is he put on another mission? Fired? Killed?
I can’t even stomach the thought of Ty not being here because he gives me some hope that things will be okay. And he keeps me company since he’s the only one who doesn’t seem to want to murder me.
“Ty, I have a question,” I ask him as I finish my cool-down on the treadmill.
“What is it?”
“Do you think I could text my sisters today? Just give them a little ‘I’m alive’ update?”
His eyes finally meet mine, his lips in a firm line before he speaks, “That should be fine. I’ll need to supervise you, though.”
“Of course,” I say, knowing the rules. I’m just glad I’ll get to talk to them for a couple of minutes.
“Go clean up, and I’ll get Eric on board. Meet in the kitchen when you’re done. I’ll have your phone then.”
“Okay,” I say softly. “Thank you.”
He replies with a curt nod before walking away.
Once I’m done stretching, I go to my bathroom and take a quick shower.
I’m anxious as hell to communicate with them.
They’re worried to death because ignoring their texts isn’t normal for me.
They’re going to know something’s up although we chatted when I arrived and told them I was fine.
“Here you go.” Ty hands me my phone as soon as I step into the kitchen. “I’ll read over your shoulder so you don’t have to hand it to me every time you send a message.”
I smile wide at his generosity, and I’m surprised Eric isn’t here to supervise. “Thanks!”
But my lips turn into a frown at the numerous missed calls and unread messages. Shit.
Sophie
I talked to Joel, and he says you’re missing classes?? You don’t ever skip dance rehearsal, even when you’re dying sick. What’s going on, Mads?
Great, she’s talking to Joel. No doubt he’s worried about me now, too. But she’s right. I love it too much to miss it.
Lennon
I understand you’re in hiding, but tell me if I can do anything for you. I know a thing or two about unbearable heartache.
My throat goes dry as I think about what Lennon went through when she lost Brandon. She was a mess and luckily had Hunter to pick up the pieces, but who’s gonna help them all when I’m gone for good?
The morbid thoughts hit me at my lowest points.
No messages from Liam. According to Victoria, he knows I’m here and could see me on the cameras. Does that mean he’s stopped caring? Is he not worried?
Did I really mean as much to him as he said?
Questions swarm my mind as my chest tightens with what she’s making him do for her. Imagining them together makes me sick.
I respond to them in our sister group chat.
Lying about my phone being dead or having to replace it feels cheap, especially because they’d know better.
There are too many ways to stay in contact for them to believe I was unable to through social media or email.
I have no other choice but to play the broken heart card.
Maddie
Sorry, I haven’t been in the mood to check my cell in a few days. I’m not skipping classes, I told my professors. Don’t worry about me. I told you before, I’m fine, and I just need some time and space.
Sophie
It’s about damn time, oh my God. Maddie! This is irresponsible and childish. Come back home! Liam isn’t even here!
Lennon
Soph, she’s not a kid. Let her cope on her own terms.
Sophie
She can do that here where I can watch her and help her through this!
Maddie
Guys! Stop fighting. I want to wallow alone, okay? I already told my professors I’d be out a few days and will make it up before the end of the semester.
Sophie
Mads, I love you. Just tell me where you are, please.
“Wrap it up,” Ty tells me softly. “I had to fight for you to have this chance.”
I nod, thankful he managed to even get me this time to give my sisters some kind of closure so they’d stop freaking out.
Maddie
I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’ll text you guys in a few days, okay? Love you both.
I hand Ty the phone and hold back my emotions that threaten to spill out. Lying to them sucks.
“Thank you again,” I say before walking to my room.
I collapse on my bed before the tears fall.
They fall for the life I miss—school, my friends and sisters, normalcy.
They fall for Liam—terrified of what he’s going through and scared like hell I’ll lose him for good this time.
They fall because I feel so damn alone.
I don’t know how much time passes by the time I wake up and realize I’ve fallen asleep. When I make my way to the kitchen and check the clock, I see it’s three in the afternoon. My eyes are puffy and red, and I’m starting to feel at my breaking point.
“You missed lunch. I put a plate in the fridge for you,” Ty says from behind me.
I quickly turn around and look at him cautiously and see concern written all over his face. I can’t ask him what’s wrong because I’ve already gotten him into trouble by getting too close. The fear of what’s going to happen once he leaves already haunts me.
“Thank you.” I smile sheepishly. “What’d you make?”
The corner of his lips tilts up slightly in amusement. “BLTs and fruit salad.” He takes the items out of the fridge and sets them on the counter.
“You know…” I linger, thinking twice about my words but say fuck it and continue anyway. “I’ve never been fed so well before. All these balanced meals, working out, and protein shakes. It’s like I’m being trained for some kind of fight club.”
Ty chuckles softly. “She knows what to do to get what she wants and not keeping you safe nor well-cared for would only backfire on her,” he explains, and while he doesn’t say her name, it’s obvious he’s talking about Victoria.
I want to ask him what he knows and how kidnapping me adds to her overall goal of keeping Liam as hers.
Things could definitely be worse, but I’m isolated, and for someone who thrives on being around others, it’s torture.
“Here.” He slides the plate toward me with a glass of something. I don’t bother asking what it is and take a seat. “You probably won’t be hungry in a couple of hours, so I’ll make a late dinner. Any requests?”
I take a large bite of my sandwich and chew. “Actually…” I swallow hard. “I’m craving Hawaiian pizza. Any chance we get delivery out here in Bumfuck, Nowhere?”
Ty tenses and stands straighter, looking around me. I feel his presence before I even have to look, but glancing over my shoulder, I see Eric walk into the kitchen with his usual pissed-off expression. He looks as if he’s always constipated.
“No delivery,” Eric barks. “And if you can’t eat with us at normal times, you don’t eat until the next meal.”
Ty sucks in a sharp breath, but I keep my gaze locked on Eric.
Did he just say what I think he said?
“What is this?” I stand and cross my arms. “A Beauty and the Beast plot? Am I forbidden from the west wing too?”
“It’s called structure and following rules,” he states firmly.
God, I want to take a fork to his neck.
“And if you can’t—”
“You’ll put me in the dungeon?” I quip. “Don’t you know the candlestick and clock will come alive and save me?”
Eric steps closer, but I hold my ground. I don’t give two shits who he is or what he’s capable of doing. I’m sick and tired of his attitude toward me when I don’t even want to fucking be here. He treats me like it’s my fault he has to babysit me.
“Don’t tempt me, Madelyn.”
“Eric, that’s enough.” Ty’s booming voice comes closer. Grabbing my arm, he pulls me back and steps between Eric and me. “Get the fuck away from her.”
“Watch it. You’re already in hot water,” Eric warns.
“Fuck off.” Ty’s taller than him, but Eric looks like he wouldn’t think twice about killing him. He’s probably fucking Victoria on the side and will literally do anything she asks.
The two of them have a silent stare down as my heart thrashes in my chest, beating faster with every passing second. I don’t want Ty to get hurt because of me and my smart-ass mouth, but I also really loathe Eric.
So I do the only thing I know in awkward situations and make jokes.
“If you two murder each other, I’ll be able to escape so you might want to pull back your testosterone and relax. In fact…” I clap eagerly. “We should all do some yoga and cleanse our minds and bodies.” I smile wide when they both glare at me. “What? It’s good for the soul.”
Eric huffs before stepping back and walking out of the kitchen. Ty scowls as if he didn’t appreciate my vocal interruption, but hey it got Eric out of here so I’m not even sorry.
“What?” I ask innocently. Shrugging, I take another bite of my BLT and smile.
“Go back to your room when you’re done eating. Stay out of his way.” Ty’s voice is anything but friendly, which is a contrast to how he was being before Eric interrupted us. He steps around me, and before he walks into the hallway, he stops and adds, “And mine.”
This day has been fucking weird. After I eat, I do as Ty asks and go to my room. A throbbing headache keeps me planted in bed for most of the evening, and when Eric announces I need to come and eat dinner, I tell him to eat shit. However, he doesn’t like that answer and barges into my room.
“What are you doing?” I shout when he grabs my arm and yanks me up. “Don’t touch me!”
“You eat when it’s time,” he responds coldly. What the hell is it with this man and time? Like we have anything else to do all damn day and need to be on a strict schedule.
“I can walk by myself. Get your hands off me,” I hiss through my teeth.