AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I didn’t have to wait long. His padded footfalls on the carpet were back only a few minutes later.
Then a cool steel blade tunneled between my wrists, and with a flick of his hand, he released me.
Relief washed over me, and I gulped in a large reassuring breath. “Thank you,” I whispered and rubbed my bandaged wrists.
I raised my arm to remove my blindfold, but his hand stopped me. “No. Not that. Not yet.”
I nodded.
He placed the plate on my lap and a fork in my hands. “Eat.”
I was a little disappointed to have to do it myself, but that was a stupid feeling. Was I that starved for affection that I would take it from a kidnapper?
Apparently, I was.
He scooped up the egg and passed me the fork. I ensured it touched my bottom lip before I attempted to put it in my mouth. It wasn’t easy with the blindfold on, but I managed.
“What do you want?” I asked when he took the fork and plate away.
“You will find out in time. Not yet.”
I sighed. “Just tell me. Is this about money or are you going to hurt me? I just need to prepare myself mentally, either way.”
He didn’t answer. He had stepped away and my chest tightened at the implication.
“Just tell me. I’d rather know.”
“I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
Strangely, I believed him. His voice had a familiar cadence about it. As though I could trust it. But while my gut said to sit and wait, my mind told me to follow the plan.
Don’t be a fool. This is your chance. He unlocked the door and untied you. He might tie you up again now that you’ve eaten. Run. Now’s your chance. Go!
I tore off my blindfold. I leaped off the bed, on the opposite side of the room where he stood and ran out the door.
I ran as fast as I could up the small stairs and onto the deck. His steps pounded behind me. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I searched for a lifeboat, anything that would get me off of this thing. I saw a lifejacket hanging by the railing and raced toward it.
Stretching my hand to reach it, I’d nearly touched the buckle when a muscled forearm encircled my waist and pulled me back.
Oof!
Air rushed out of my lungs and I saw stars in front of me in the ocean.
“No!” I screamed and struggled against his hold. “Let me go.” I kicked his shin.
“Fuck,” he grunted and fell forward, but kept me tightly against him.
I was panting and scratching, but somehow had the wherewithal to spot a small wooden broom next to a door. I reached for it and turned as much as I could against his grip.
I held the broom with both hands and raised it, ready to strike. One good hit on the temple should do it. I hoped it would knock him out long enough for me to find that lifeboat.
He held his hands up in surrender, but I didn’t believe it for a second. He would lock me up in that room the moment he wrestled this stick from my hand.
I swung swiftly and struck him on the arm. He groaned briefly, but otherwise didn’t move. So, I hit the other arm. Again, he didn’t reach for the stick. Unnerved, I pulled my arms back and struck the back of his thigh as hard as I could.
“Motherf—” he started, but held back the curse.
He clenched his teeth and took the blows. Only the creases along his eyes showed he felt any of the pain I’d inflicted, but he didn’t complain. He kept his mouth shut as I released my anger on him. And he took every blow, even nodding after each strike. As though he agreed with me.
