Chapter Nine
London
Dad’s still on my mind as I close for the fifth straight night. If I didn’t know him better, I would think he felt this was all too much, that he didn’t believe in himself and the diner, and that he was giving up.
But he would never think that. Right?
Noah has been working hard to help us, but it takes time to work off the insane debt my father racked up, and it seems like time is a luxury we might not have. Plus, there’s the problem of maintaining the business even once the debt is paid off.
How can we sustain ourselves?
Sometimes, I almost understand why my father doesn’t want to come in, as the crippling weight of what awaits us if we fail looms on the horizon.
It’s cast a dark shadow over everything, and late at night when I can’t sleep, I’m forced to confront the truth.
What if we can’t pay back the money?
What if we can, but there’s nothing left to keep the place afloat?
I believed in us, but even I would be stupid to ignore the truth.
For a moment, I allow my mind to dip into dark thoughts. I remember the fear that coursed through my body when those men came into the restaurant, threatening my father. I am constantly terrified that they’ll come back, and at what will happen if they do.
The lock slips securely into place. Another uneventful day with fewer patrons than we need to make a living.
I think of promotions, social media campaigns, or anything to get people interested.
I know once we get our name out there more, people will love the food we serve.
They have to. There must be a way to fix this.
Before I can turn, someone comes up behind me and puts a gag in my mouth.
I freeze as panic and desperation course through me. I throw my head back, but whoever gagged me is pressed against my back, holding my arms tightly, and making it impossible to move.
Tears prick the back of my eyes as my heart races.
Is it the men, back to hurt us? Are we not paying quickly enough? Is this when they kill us?
That can’t be the case. Maybe it’s Noah. He has been more into sexual things than usual lately. Maybe this is his way of adding some spice to our lovemaking.
Before I can tell him to stop, the man behind me ties the gag in place and forcefully spins me around to face him.
I should’ve known it wasn’t Noah.
Stupid, stupid. You shouldn’t be here alone. What were you thinking? You know what you’re up against.
I’m thrown to the side, and Carlisle looks back at me with nasty eyes. My heart drops. I’m terrified.
What’s he going to do to me? Has he already harmed my father? He gives me a sick smile, and it sends a cold chill up my spine.
Is anyone going to know I’ve been taken?
“Don’t scream,” he warns, as if I even could with the gag in my mouth.
He pulls a bag over my head and then grabs my wrists. I can do nothing to fight back as he zip-ties me. He’s too strong. Still, I try my best. I wiggle against the binds and try to run, but he grabs me.
Where’s my father? I need to get to him. After what they did to him last time… If it’s come to this, things will only get worse. He’s in terrible danger.
“Stop struggling, princess,” he whispers in my ear. “It’ll be over soon.”
What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is he going to kill me?
With that, my feet come off the ground as he picks me up.
A moment later, there’s a thud as I’m thrown into a car that starts moving.
I can already feel the bruises forming. There’s not much I can do now, so I plot my escape.
I work through the zip ties on my wrists.
I think of anything I’ve learned about how to defend myself. I curse myself for not knowing more.
During the drive, I hope someone will catch him.
Maybe someone saw what happened and called the police.
Maybe a regular who recognized me and knew something was wrong.
He can’t be allowed to get away with this, right?
This kind of stuff doesn’t happen to people with boring lives like mine. He’s got to let me go.
My thoughts trip over each other as I taste bile and fear.
I’m determined not to let it get the better of me. It can’t.
The car stops, and I’m filled with hope for a moment. Maybe someone stopped him. Maybe someone is coming to rescue me.
I hear a door opening, and I’m lifted again by Carlisle’s familiar arms. He carries me as I struggle. At the very least, I don’t want to make it easy for him.
Finally, he puts me down, and I hear a ping and feel the floor moving. He removes my hood, and I realize we’re in an elevator going up. I have half a second to wonder what that means before the door opens.
The hallway that greets us oozes money and darkness. Gold décor adorns the black walls and red carpet. He leads me down the hallway and stops in front of a red door. He opens it and leads me inside.
For a moment, I’m in such awe that I almost forget I’m a hostage.
The room I’ve been brought to holds the most gorgeous private library I’ve ever seen.
A collection of leather-bound books sits on ornate shelves with words delicately carved into them.
Expensive-looking paintings hang on the dark walls in the spaces between the shelves.
Tokens of exotic places are sprinkled around, making it look like a collection brought together by a world traveler.
Whoever this person is, it’s clear they have money and probably power, too. I’m screwed. There’s no way I stand a chance against them, a fact I’m sure they’re aware of.
I’m surprised when Carlisle cuts my zip ties, but then I realize it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t outrun him. I don’t even know where to go because I don’t know where I am.
I need to be smart if I’m going to get out of here.
“He’ll be here soon,” Carlisle says mysteriously.
“Who?” I ask. “Who is in charge of all of this? Why am I here? What do you want with me?”
He doesn’t answer. He just leaves the room. And for a moment, I’m alone. I could find an escape. I could…
“Hello, London,” a voice says from behind me. “It’s wonderful to see you again.”
The voice sounds eerily familiar, which makes me frown.
I turn and am surprised to see Mason walking toward me.
He looks different from when I saw him last. He’s wearing a dark suit with a red tie that makes him look dangerous yet sexy, something I hate to admit.
Those gray eyes are storms as they’re fixed on me. They hint at something nefarious.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, terrified of the answer. I’m no fool, and hasn't this been what I’d thought? Hadn’t I guessed he was a part of this? Still, I don’t want to believe it. He was kind to me, and kind men don’t commit crimes. At least, not ones this horrid, right?
“Don’t ask questions with obvious answers.” His deep voice goes straight to my libido, and my hands turn into fists at my side as I come to the realization that everything bad that might happen to me will be because of the man in front of me.
I can’t believe I thought he was attractive.
He looks at me curiously. “Why don’t you take a seat?” He motions to the black desk in the middle of the room. It’s more of a command than a suggestion.
While I’m intimidated by the immense power this man seems to possess, I’m also furious. I want to rear back and punch him square in the nose, even if it means I’ll have to face the consequences.
The only reason I hold back is that I don’t doubt it would come back on my father.
“I’m fine with standing,” I say, with a lift of my chin.
“It wasn’t a suggestion, and I won’t repeat myself.”
I pause, staring at this man. At his unstyled, sandy brown hair. He can’t yet be in his forties. His skin is fair, and he’s tall and muscular.
The man of every woman’s fantasy.
I walk toward one of the gold chairs as he sits in one on the opposite side. He’s in a position of power, something he makes obvious. I’ve never felt so helpless.
“Do you like my library?” he asks. “It’s filled with a collection of books I chose myself. I rarely let people in.”
“Should I be honored?” I snap.
“You’ve got quite the attitude on you.”
That’s not the first time I’ve even heard that. “You’re the one in charge,” I change the subject. “This place is yours. You’re the reason I was kidnapped.”
“Guilty as charged.” He grins, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile.
“My meeting with you the other day was far from coincidental. I was there to check out the place because it’s essentially mine now.
I wanted to get a good idea of what has been going on there.
As you might be aware, your father owes me a great deal of money. ”
Anxiety twists my stomach as I think about our interaction. I’ve been fantasizing about the same man who ordered my father to be threatened and harmed. It makes me sick. Mason has had so much control over me, and I didn’t even realize it.
I’m going to be sick all over his expensive Persian carpets.
“It seems he’s been having difficulty coming up with the money he owes me, which is a shame.
If he can’t pay me back, the diner will be mine, and who knows what I’ll do with it?
Your father’s dream will come to an abrupt end, all because of some bad financial decisions.
In fact, I think I’ll have to send my men there for another visit in a couple of weeks. ”
“You can’t!” I protest. He raises his eyebrows, and I can feel my cheeks heating up. “Please. We’ll lose everything. My boyfriend has plans to pay you. If you can just give us more time…”
“That wouldn’t be fair though, would it?” he interrupts me. “The reason I have money is because I always collect on my debts. I’ve given your father plenty of time to pay, but I can’t wait forever. Then, soon everyone would expect it. I can’t show anyone preferential treatment.”
I bristle and bite back the rest of my statement. I hate that knowing look on his face. It’s not that he can’t show us mercy, it’s that he doesn’t care to. He loves the position of power he’s in.