Page 2 of Death

“You’ll do exactly as I say,” he growls. “If you scream for help, I’ll kill you and Grace. I know you don’t want your sister to die, so don’t give me any trouble.”

Slowly, I shake my head, unable to make sense of what’s happening. Somehow, I think to say, “You won’t get out of here alive.”

“If you don’t leave with me, I have no problem killing as many people as possible before taking myself out.”

What. The. Hell?

Tremors of fear hit me hard as I begin to realize that I’m in a shit load of danger. Panic threatens to drag me into a trance where I won’t be able to do anything to save myself.

Why is he doing this?

I have no idea what to do or how to handle the situation.

When my gaze flicks to the door, Nolan shakes his head and stalks toward me. The barrel of the gun presses to my forehead, and I’m only able to squeak while horror floods every inch of me.

Oh God.

“I’m serious, Ciara. I’ll fucking kill you and Grace.”

I don’t want anything to happen to Grace.

My breaths burst over my lips as I stare with terror at Nolan.

“You’re going to write a letter to Grace so she won’t come looking for you,” he orders with a harsh tone.

“What?” I gasp.

He grabs me by my arm and yanks me toward my dressing table. “Get paper and a pen!”

I quickly open the drawer and pull out my diary. I tear a page out while my eyes dart to Nolan’s grim face.

“Write that you have to leave, and she mustn’t worry about you.”

When I bring the pen to the piece of paper, my hand trembles so severely that I pause.

“Write!” he barks right by my ear, and I flinch hard, another squeak escaping me. “And you better make it believable, or Grace is dead.”

I suck in a desperate breath, and focusing hard, I try to still the trembling in my hand as I quickly write a short note.

Grace,

I have to leave. Please don’t worry.

My mind races, and as dread spins around me, I realize I have to do everything in my power to make sure Grace doesn’t get hurt.

With a pounding heart, I add two more sentences.

It’s time for me to be the strong one.

I love you more than anything.

Ciara.

As I stare at the letter, I’m not sure Grace will believe it. She knows I would never leave her, because there’s no one more important than her. She’s my entire life.

I fold the paper, and my voice is hoarse as I say, “They’ll look for me.”

I’m yanked toward the bed. “They won’t find you.” He gestures with the gun at the covers. “Put the letter down.”