Page 64 of Entwined With You

I would have flipped him the finger, but my hands were tied.

I really don’t want to die here.

And I’m not going to. I’m not. I may be stuck, but Brax is looking for me, I’m certain of it. Brax and all of Stark Security and the SOC. They’re not going to give up, I know they won’t.

I’m not giving up either, but it’s getting harder and harder to breathe, and while I’m certain Brax will find me, I hope the Powers that Be realize that my wish is to be found alive. Not as a pile of ash.

Just pointing that out in case anyone out there is listening.

I’m getting giddy. Light-headed.

It’s the smoke.

I tilt my head down, remembering all the elementary school lessons about staying low. I even try to slide down the pole, and am surprised when my bound wrists are permitted to move that direction.

It’s just a few feet, but the schools got it write. It’s easier to breathe down here. Not by much, but at this point, I’ll take anything someone throws at me. Except a ball of flame.

Yeah. Giddy.

Dammit, Sabrina. Focus. Stay sharp.

Yes. Sharp. I have to stay—

My eye lands on a chip of concrete from the floor. It’s roughly the shape of a triangle, and if I can just get my foot to draw it over, then maybe—just maybe—I can circle around the post and reach it with my fingers.

I might end up accidentally slicing my wrists. But on the other hand, maybe I’ll manage to saw through this tape.

Considering how fast the papers are starting to burn now, I don’t have a choice. I’m fresh out of time and running out of air.

And I really, really don’t want to die.

“Break it down,” Brax shouted, throwing himself at the door. “She’s in there. She’s got to be. Break it the fuck down.”

“It’s not budging.”

Mason was beside him, trying to get through the door of the burning warehouse on the outskirts of town. They’d heard about it on the radio—a fire at an abandoned warehouse and no firetrucks responding as all crews were occupied with a massive apartment fire.

Jorge had trapped her in there. Then he started the fire and tried to get away. They’d caught him, but he’d held onto his secret.

But now they were here. There was still time. She was alive in there.

She had to be, because he couldn’t let himself consider any other reality.

“This is taking too long,” Mason said.

“Fuck it. We’re idiots.” Brax raced back to the car. A sweet little vintage Corvette he’d paid a pretty penny for. It would be worth it if the thing could break that door down. He prayed it could.

His next car would be an SUV.

He started the car, revved the engine, then floored it, desperately hoping she wasn’t sprawled on the ground in front of the floor. But the car was flying now and he had to risk it, because whether by car or asphyxiation, her time was running out.

His body lurched from the impact at over ninety miles an hour, but he’d been ready, and although he was sore and probably had a few shattered ribs, he’d be fine. And the nose of the car was inside the warehouse. Right then, that was all that mattered.

He climbed out over the hood, then slid down to the ground, his eyes stinging as he searched for her.

He called her name, his throat and lungs burning, and heard nothing in reply.

Except…