CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CELESTE
The sky is a dreary gray, clouds pouting with a shapeless droop, sun retreating into hiding. We step out of the van, and the crackling squeak of boots on the gravelly concrete is deafening. Even the lonely chirping bird is chanting a solemn dirge from the haunted forest behind us. Like the earth has stilled for us to march toward whatever lies in wait within this grim warehouse. The modern-day walk the plank of pirates.
Ivy and I are both barefoot and disheveled in our tattered designer spoils, not the most conducive attire for escape, especially with the prick and sting of sharp pebbles stabbing into our soles and the cold wind enveloping us. We both kept quiet for the rest of the ride to see what information we could garner. It bodes well for us that they think we’re stupid and defenseless chicks.
It makes me think of chess. I won the Ohio State Chess Championship when I was fifteen. My greatest weapon was that no one feared me. My curves were already well developed. I didn’t look like a child prodigy; I looked like a sultry fluke.
Women in chess are rare. Maybe because it’s not glamorous—not a skill parents want to point their girls to. It’s downright nerdy. I’m no grandmaster champion, but I still earned some accolades. My grandfather was a prominent US senator at the time, so my achievement made national news. My fifteen minutes of fame before our world imploded.
All of that to say, underestimating us is a mistake—at least, I hope it is. I watched our surroundings, although I don’t know the middle of nowhere, Louisiana, so that was little help. The warehouse they chose is at least a mile from anything else from what I could discern.
But the most helpful tidbit came when they reported out to their leader, someone named Silas. He won’t be arriving for an hour or two. He’s likely waiting to be sure everything goes smoothly. That means we have time.
My eyes flit around the warehouse when we enter, eager to find something of use. All I uncover is a new dose of terror, my pulse thrumming a daunting tune to match my tromping pace. So many armed men are convened here. I’m suddenly questioning the likelihood of leaving this place alive. Even if our guys alert KORT, how long will it take to coordinate an ambush? How long for these guerrillas to realize I don’t know anything?
There are boxes stacked throughout. My guess is either guns or drugs. This group is no joke. I never asked Liam how he and Gage obtained information from those guys a few weeks ago. God, I hope we don’t get a firsthand demonstration on torture tactics.
My gut wrenches, stomach acid lurching into my esophagus and burning my throat. I’ve gagged on my own vomit too many times today.
They lead us through a room in the back corner, which dips into another room that has a cell, complete with a bucket that I’m guessing is the en suite. Looks like we’re not their first prisoners. A chill skitters up my spine.
What happened to the others?
Maybe it will be worse if they let us live. I have a feeling they’d sell us into a truly horrific nightmare. I can’t go there.
Once they shove us inside the cage, the lock clicks, and the guy in charge of guarding us stands just beyond the threshold of our room with the door cracked.
My head whips toward Ivy. “What the hell were you thinking?” I whisper-shout. “What about F-bomb?”
She smirks at Ty’s ridiculous nickname for her daughter, knowing I couldn’t use anything telling. “I was thinking of that,” she insists, dragging me down to curl up with her against the wall, both of us flourishing goose bumps from the cold floor and drafty air. “Some families sing Christmas carols and bicker over the last piece of pie. We make enough pie for everyone to have their own, fight over it anyway, and risk our lives for each other on a random Monday. She’s not growing up in a Hallmark movie. I want her to know that I love her enough to do more than just bake the damn pie. That my love isn’t afraid of scary places.”
I bite my lip as my fingers dive into my matted hair, welling tears pricking my eyes. “What if—” What if something happens to you? What if we don’t get out of here? I’d rather die than lose you or have Felicity deprived of such an unbelievable mom.
“Wells will come,” she says confidently. “He’d chase me to the ends of the earth.” Her eyebrows shoot up to the industrial ceiling. “I’m guessing Liam has promised you something similar.”
I nod, wondering if this was the type of situation he’d envisioned. Is this the non-fairy-tale life he was painting for me? One where I was crouched twenty feet away from a piss bucket and wishing I were a mouth-breather? “He said he’s like the sunrise. No matter how dark it gets, he’ll always show up.”
She clutches her heart like she’s overwhelmed by the romantic overture of that vow. Like we’re not currently half dressed and locked in a cell. “Trust it, Lettie. They’ll keep their promises.”
“So, we wait?” I ask.
Not like we have other options, but I hate being backed into a corner or relying on someone else. As unfamiliar as this situation is, that’s a common theme for me. No matter what life I choose, it seems I end up traveling on someone else’s path.
Except Ty handed me the oversight of the shelter. Maybe it wouldn’t be that way with them.
“For now.” She glances around the room. “How long was the drive?”
“About an hour.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “Did it look like we went toward the house or away?”
I shrug, not one hundred percent certain. “Best I could tell, it wasn’t scenery I know. So, I’d guess away.”
Her teeth rake over her lip while she mulls that over. “Gage and Ty would be about thirty minutes behind based on where we were then. Plus, they’ll need to strategize. We’ve got at least an hour.” Her voice rises a bit, nearly to a conversational volume. “Tell me everything about you and Liam. We haven’t had proper girl talk because everything has been … well, you know.”
This is by far the most bizarre setting for this gossip session, but it serves as a decent distraction. We’ve discussed bits and pieces here and there, but haven’t really dug into all the details because of the guys, the baby, Natasha, and work—always something.
Filtering out anything relating to KORT or The Order due to listening ears, I fill her in about it all. Our kiss at the stables, him threatening Dustin Barclay, and our first earth-shattering night together. Even the restaurant finger-fucking, the absurd steamy spa sex when Liam claimed me like a warrior’s prize, and the call Liam heard between Wells and my father when he said he didn’t approve. I conclude with how my family is still distant and disappointed, like I’ve personally sent all their dreams up in flames.
“That’s all, so Liam.” Her fingers crawl up to her throat as her blue eyes scan me intently. “He’s in love with you.”
“I’m not sure he is,” I contend. “He’s definitely infatuated and sweet—in his own way. He says all that possessive, domineering stuff, calls me his, claims he’ll never let me go, but I don’t know if he’s really thinking forever or that he’s in love.”
Love would mean more than never letting go—at least to me. Marriage. Maybe kids. Dreams and family and a future. Does he want all that? He’s never struck me as the settling-down type. It’s probably too soon to make those plans, but for me, this decision changes everything.
“What if I give everything up with my family and he …” I can’t even finish that sentence. The thought is too grueling.
I didn’t think I’d get to fall in love, which was upsetting enough. But despite that old saying, losing it would be so much worse. I didn’t realize what I was missing before. And not only that, I would have no one. Nothing will ever be the same with my parents after this. Even my relationship with Ivy would be strained because I could never survive seeing Liam with someone else. And I’ve come to love the other guys. They feel like home. I don’t like the amount of power this relationship has over me. Him leaving me would be a final breaking point. Like he pledged—the goodbye I can’t bear.
“Before I answer that question,” she says, “answer one for me. Do you love him?”
A puffed breath falls from my lungs. I wish this were all simpler. I wish we weren’t discussing this to pass the time while being held captive. “I’ve never been in love before, which you know, but I … I think so.”
She reaches for my hand, squeezing it in that comforting way of hers. “You need to know because he’s already chosen you. Him wanting you forever isn’t something you need to worry about. And if …” Her eyes are so soft, swirling with what looks to be more of a plea. “That’s so incredibly big for him. I know you’re risking a lot with your family, but it’s worth it. He’ll make it worth it, Lettie—a life of shooting stars. But neither of you will get through—”
Whatever she was about to say is cut off by a boisterous conversation between the guards outside the door.
“What’s all this about? No one even knows who the fuck these bitches are or what Silas even wants with them.”
The gruff voice of Beef Jerky bellows, echoing off the warehouse walls, “I know.”
“Cough it up then, motherfucker.”
Beef Jerky chuckles. “Let’s just say that sweet-ass brunette is sitting on something worth millions. And it ain’t her pussy. Fuck, man, wielded the right way, maybe billions.”
What the hell do they think I have?