Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Seth releases me. For one quick second I think I'm free, that he's actually going to let me go.
But when he puts on a smile that doesn't reach his eyes, I know there’s not a chance.
He whispers, “Your sister. I have your sister and all I need to do is make a call.”
Oh my God.
Starla.
If I don't go with him, he has the power to hurt her. And that might be the biggest form of control he’s ever exerted over me.
I take in everything about him in a matter of seconds. How pale his face is, the way his eyes protrude. His clammy, thin skin, those cruel hands of his that almost look like a girl’s. In my mind’s eye I quickly compare him to Sergio—my Sergio. Fiery and hot, strong and commanding, yet gentler than Seth could ever be.
I wet my lips and stare at him. "What about her?" It pains me even to ask that question.
Seth pulls out a cell phone. I didn't even know he had one or knew how to use it, but he’s surprisingly adept.
Who is this man?
When he flicks on the screen, I see Starla. I clamp my hand over my mouth to prevent myself from screaming out loud.
He hurt her. Somebody hurt her.
And as I watch, Seth pushes another button. "Starla, look at the camera.”
His voice echoes in the room. She can hear him. When her face turns toward the screen, I choke on a sob. One eye is swollen shut, and there's dried blood on the side of her face.
"It's your sister's fault that you're there. She put you there. Do you want to get out now?" Starla stares from the screen. I know she hears the voice because she sits up straighter. Her spine stiffens and she looks directly at the camera.
She opens her mouth and says two words I’ve never heard her utter. “Fuck. You.”
Rage contorts Seth’s features. I can see when he visibly snaps. I know this expression all too well, and I know what happens next. "Punish her."
Two doors open and men in robes come in.
“No!" I scream. "Leave her alone! I'll go with you. I swear I'll go!"
"That won’t be necessary.”
They say intense trauma and fear can play tricks on your mind. I truly wonder if I'm hallucinating that he's standing right here before me, as rugged and fearless as he's ever been as if I’ve conjured him up.
"Come here, Eden."
I shake my head. "They’ve got Starla. If I come to you, they'll hurt her."
My voice trembles, and when Seth turns up the volume on his phone, I hear Starla cry out. I know the sickening sound of that swish, that thud and cry. I would take her place in a heartbeat, but I don't even know where she is.
Seth turns to me but speaks to Sergio. “Eden’s my wife. She has to come with me, she's committed herself to me.”
“Sergio,” I say in a low voice. “I don't know where she is. I have to go with him.”
If he attacks Seth, we may never find Starla.
Sergio’s eyes are narrowed to slits. "I'll find her."
I want to believe him, but how can I believe someone who's lied to me from the very beginning? I know that I can't believe him, but I want to so badly, it feels as if my heart bleeds.
"You're also not married to him.”
I stare. “What?”
Seth fumes. “If you think you can show up here and ruin my life –”
Sergio continues as if Seth is invisible.
“I got a message from Gloria, Mario's wife. She did some investigative work, her speciality. You’re not legally married to this man and never were. He broke state law when he married you because you were underage. Your supposed marriage to him is not binding. You were never married to him, Eden.”
Sergio stares at me. There are so many questions I want to ask him, but there's no time. I have to get to Starla. Sergio switches his gaze to Seth. He’s eyeing him like he’s a ticking time bomb and Sergio just happens to be the bomb technician skilled at disabling such weapons, knowing exactly how to handle this tiny little problem.
“This guy right here? Pretend he’s a little gerbil. Pretend he's in a cage. Off to the side. Let him burrow into his bedding. Maybe get him one of those wheels to run around on."
"Hamster. Let's make him a hamster. I don’t think gerbils run on wheels and I love the idea of him running nowhere."
Sergio's eyes crinkle, and there’s the barest hint of a smile on his lips. My heart begins to mend a little, even as I try to will myself not to get my hopes up.
I hold his gaze and I know. He doesn't know I met his fiancée. He doesn't know anything. He came down here for a reason and was here before I arrived. He came down here for retribution.