Chapter Thirty-One
Olivia
T he darkness consumes the room to the point I cannot see anything in front of me. It is now well into the night, and I have not seen or heard a soul since Maxwell exited after tying me to a chair and left my hands crushed by ropes behind my back.
Although I rather not be alone in here, Maxwell being around puts my anxiety a little more at ease.
He knows I am armed with Alan’s pistol, and he advised me earlier to keep it hidden; so, it remains in my waistband.
Currently, it is pushing into my skin, making me a little uncomfortable. I wiggle my torso to try to get the hole it feels like it is putting into my skin to ease.
Maxwell left me not long after tying me up. Your father is going to be questioning me if I stay any longer, Miss. I could tell he did not want to leave me nor did he like taking the ropes and tying me to this chair I am in.
He did not deserve this life any more than me, but he dealt with it to protect me all these years and I will forever be grateful for his loyalty.
One day I want to ask him questions about my mother; I wonder if he knew her well.
I know Hayes is most likely irate right now and has not slept. If I had to guess, Alan has already tried to stop him from showing up here. His message to Maxwell for me was reassuring; the plan is still a go, and he will be at the auction.
So, we stick to the plan.
I can hang in here for two days. Two days of the darkness creeping into my thoughts and my eyes. Two days of thinking of the best way to kill my father. Two days of picturing what it will be like to treat him the way he has treated all of these women.
A smile creases my lips with the images that play throughout my mind, poor father. His once little na?ve princess has turned into the monster he never thought she could be. It’s true that karma is a bitch.
An owl hoots outside the building, startling me in my seat. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself down. Panicking is not what needs to happen now.
It is well after midnight I presume. My eyes start to get heavy, and my eye lids slowly shut.
Darkness is all I see, both in the dream world and in reality.
***
Hayes
T HE BED SHEETS WRINKLE under my body as I toss and turn. I grab my pillow and punch it a few times to fluff it—or take out my anger, I am not so sure anymore.
Sleep is not an option without her next to me.
Every time I close my eyes, I see her being tortured. His men are using her as their toy, hitting her, punching her, raping her. My eyes close and when they open, my eye color has turned red.
I need her here, safe with me. I need her in my arms. I need my dick inside her and my lips worshipping every part of her body. Her sweet moans in my ear and screaming my name.
I toss the covers off myself and watch the ceiling fan go around and around. Turning my head to my nightstand, the clock reads a little after midnight.
I know Ashton does not trust her. He will not allow her back in his home or her room. Unfortunately, he has probably thrown her into his torture room and left her to starve. She is most likely cold and scared right about now.
My fist clenches.
How could I have not seen this coming? I knew Ashton would try to get her back by any means necessary. I just never thought he was stupid enough to step foot on my property.
My security knew better than to let his men in.
So how did they get past the doors?
My mind replays every scenario and tries to pinpoint the hole.
Reality hits me as I sit up in my bed, running my hands through my hair.
FOR FUCK’S SAKE.
Grabbing my phone, I dial Alan’s number.
Ring.
“Sir?” Alan’s groggy voice speaks on the other end.
“Find Ellie and bring her to me. NOW!” I yell into the phone, hanging up immediately and slamming my phone back on the nightstand.
Jumping out of bed and snatching my robe laid over the end, I tie it around me and storm out of my room into my office.
If I am right, I will kill her.