AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shivered in my thin white blouse. The wind had picked up again and with my adrenaline gone, there was nothing to keep me warm.
And no one.
Slowly, I retraced my steps and climbed down the narrow staircase. Reaching the lower level, I spotted an LED-lit hallway leading to a living room. Curious, I walked toward it. There were windows all around, feeling as though I were standing on the water.
There was a sectional white couch, a baby grand piano, and a bar off to the side.
A blue and white blanket lay on the edge of the couch. I picked it up and wrapped it around my shoulders.
Sitting on the couch, staring at the water, I tried to collect my thoughts.
I’d been afraid, then determined to escape. I was proud of myself for not giving up.
My pulse beat slower now and I no longer feared I would faint. My anger had dissipated, and I mainly felt confused.
He was my protector and my kidnapper. He made me feel safe and scared the hell out of me. But if I was being honest, today wasn’t the first time he scared me. It was last night, on the couch, when his touch sent shivers down my spine.
12
Jake
Well, that didn’t go exactly as I’d hoped. The kidnapping details worked out as I had planned them. There were a few small hitches, but nothing that took us off track. I just hadn’t counted on my feelings. She was always so confident and strong, so when I saw that terrified look on her face, I wanted to call it all off. That was when I realized this was becoming too personal. She was becoming more than a client to me.
In any case, even if I was developing feelings for Nikole, it would be pointless now. She hated me.
The wind picked up and blew mist over the window. I grabbed my jacket from a chair and pulled my arms through the sleeves.
My left arm burned, and a bruise was already forming. I couldn’t help but grin at the memory. It hurt like hell, don’t get me wrong, but watching her in a temper railing at her assailant was a sight I’d never forget. At that moment, she showed me she had fire in her belly, and that she could take care of herself. But I wouldn’t admit that to her. At least, not yet.
I turned at a knock on the window.
“Can I come in?” she mouthed.
I opened the door and ushered her inside.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you.” She sat in a chair next to me and stared out into the ocean. “Where are we exactly?”
I followed her gaze and saw the same vast waters. “We’re off the coast of Long Island, heading back to New York.”
“Why haven’t we seen any land or boats?”
“I sort of took the path less traveled.” I smiled sheepishly. I wasn’t sure if puffing out my chest over my excellent strategy was the right response.
She sucked at her teeth and nodded.
“How long have you been planning this?”
I knew she would have questions. I was prepared.
“Not long,” I said. “Only a couple of days.”
“You pulled this all off in a couple of days? How? Where did you get the boat from?”
“Well, I own the boat. And my friends and business partners helped, too.”
She raised an eyebrow at this. “I don’t know if I’m more surprised that you own this yacht or that you have friends that would help you kidnap someone.”
