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I stare at him in utter disbelief. I’m pretty sure my jaw is about to hit the floor. “Wait, what?” I ask.
“There’s a plan in motion, and we will run the way we see fit. As long as you’re under this roof and our care, no harm will come to you, that I can promise. Unless you try to escape or hurt one of us, that is.”
I let out a heavy sigh, and my gaze slips back to the food tray. There’s no cutlery on it, just paper napkins. “Can you at least tell me your name?”
“Sky.”
That’s a strangely beautiful and unexpected name for an MC member. “Is it a nickname?” I ask.
“I take it you read that briefing about empathizing and fraternizing with your kidnapper when your father was sworn into office,” Sky chuckles dryly. A dimple reveals itself on his right cheek, and I swallow that thought back with lightning speed. Those eyes, though. Like the night sky. Sky. Hmm.
I think the hunger is killing my brain cells, slowly but surely.
“Actually, I did not,” I say, keeping my spot by the window. “I didn’t think anyone would be stupid enough to kidnap me.”
“Why not? You are a valuable asset in the hands of the right people,” Sky says.
I shrug. “You give me too much credit.”
“The mayor’s only daughter.”
“Yeah, you might be surprised at how far that doesn’t get you.”
He gives me a perplexed glance and says, “I’ll be back later.” Then he leaves.
I hear the key turning in the lock again, and dread returns tenfold, making it harder to breathe. Unfortunately for my self-esteem, I’m also starving, so I set my pride aside and practically inhale the food that Sky brought for me.
An hour later, I’m strangely relaxed. I’m not necessarily at peace with my situation, but I’m definitely in a better place. However, I still need to figure out a way to get out of here.
Rummaging through the dresser drawers, I find a long screw at the bottom of one of them that is coming loose. “Yes,” I whisper and start turning it until it’s out. I stare at it for a while, trying to figure out how I’m going to use it, then move over to the window.
Reaching between the bars, I’m able to open the window and let the warm summer breeze come through. My mind is all over the place, frustration toying with my resolve as I remember it’s Saturday. Unless the Steel Knights reach out to my father, he probably won’t even realize I’m gone. I should’ve made more friends. Then again, the few friends I did have turned out to just want to get close to the mayor through his daughter. Sky’s words ring loudly in the back of my head.
The mayor’s daughter.
A valuable asset.
A valuable asset to the Steel Knights, maybe because being Henry David’s daughter has brought me nothing but disappointment. Shaking my head slowly, I try using the screw’s sharp tip to loosen the screws on the iron frame around the window that holds the bars. It’ll take a while, but I think I can get the screws out. Once that’s done, I’ll be able to remove the bars altogether and climb out the window.
Easier said than done.
What if my father doesn’t cave into their demands? He has always put his career first.
No, Ariana, don’t be silly. For all the man’s faults, he’s still your dad, and he loves you.
As I work on the window frame, absorbed in my thoughts, I eventually lose track of time.
When the key turns in the lock again, I’m startled and damn near drop the good screw out the window. I manage to put it away before the door opens, turning around to appear as harmless and as innocent as possible, but the guy who comes in isn’t one of my kidnappers.
He’s tall and lanky and appears to be in his mid-thirties, with shaggy light brown hair and blond stubble. He’s covered in tattoos and piercings and wears those signature ragged jeans and a Steel Knights leather jacket. But his brown eyes seem kind and almost gentle.
“Who are you?” I ask, my tone clipped.
“Spike. I’ll be your concierge,” the guy chuckles and brings in a six-pack of beer, a bag of nacho chips, and a dip jar, along with a USB stick, which he plugs into the TV. “I figured you could use some entertainment, so I brought you some movies and TV shows.”
“A key to that door wasn’t an option, was it?”
“I’m afraid not.”
