Chapter 93
ELENA
The door creaked open, and I nearly choked on the fear that rose in my throat.
I didn’t move from where I stood next to the cot, Aiden was just next to me, his body limp
and convincingly still. The metal vent above us swung open just a hair–barely noticeable
unless you were looking for it.
Pierce stood in the doorway, framed by yellowish hallway light, his silhouette long and
easy. Too easy. He didn’t walk like someone worried about what waited inside.
His eyes landed on me. On us.
“Finally awake,” he said, voice soft, almost pleasant. “You’ve been out a while.”
I forced my breathing to stay steady, one hand resting protectively on Aiden’s back. “Who are you?”
He stepped in, the door falling shut behind him with a sharp click. “Not a friend.‘
I wanted to laugh with how obvious that particular statement was. I almost wanted to laugh anyway. I felt hysterical with fear.
His eyes flicked down to Aiden. “He’s still out?”
I stiffened. “You drugged us.”
“I could have just killed you,” he said lightly.
That shut me up. I didn’t trust my voice to sound calm if I opened my mouth again.
Pierce crouched, his gaze scanning Aiden’s face. His expression shifted from curiosity to calculation. I could feel it–the wheels turning behind his smile.
“How much did you give him?” I asked, throat dry.
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Chapter 93
“More than enough.”
I swallowed hard. If Aiden had actually drunk that juice….
“Do I know you?” I asked quietly.
+25 Bonus
If I kept asking questions, I could keep his focus on me and not on the ductwork grate that
hung at an awkward angle just a few feet to his left.
He tilted his head, smile sharpening. “No. But I know you.”
Every nerve in my body went cold.
“What do you want with us?”
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He stood, brushing invisible dust off his pants. “Him, I’ll ransom. Someone will pay to get a noble heir back. Especially one from Moonstone. I need to pay for this place.” He gave the room a lazy once–over. “Amongst other things.”
He took a slow turn around the room, and my heart was in my throat. Would he see the open grate? Would he notice?
“And me?” I asked, my voice wobbly. I could barely swallow.
He paused at the door, hand on the knob. “I haven’t decided.”
Go, I willed, keeping my eyes steadily on him. I wouldn’t look at the duct.
He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. I barely breathed.
“Let me know the moment the boy wakes up,” he told the guard posted outside.
The door shut again.
I didn’t move for five long seconds.
Then I exhaled shakily and touched Aiden’s shoulder.
“Hey,” I whispered. “Time to go, sweetheart.”
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Chapter 93
His eyes blinked open, alert and full of mischief. “Did I do okay?”
“You were perfect. We just have to be very, very quiet now.”
He nodded solemnly.
“They took my phone,” I whispered. “I need you to go get help. Can you do that?”
He gave me a smug little grin. “Yeah. Totally.”
+25 Bonus
I brushed the hair from his forehead. He had no idea what I was really asking of him. He
was brave–but still a kid. My kid. The thought of letting him out of my sight made me sick.
But it was our only shot.
I boosted him up, helping him wriggle back into the open vent. “Go all the way to the end,” I said softly. “It’ll probably lead to the HVAC system. That’s usually on the roof or behind
the building. If you can get outside, find a police officer. Or resort security. Anyone who smells like a wolf–not a rogue–you run to them.”
He nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom,” he said with a lopsided grin. “I’ll bring help.”
I watched his sneakers vanish into the ductwork, then sat beneath the vent, trying not to
cry.
P
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