Page 4 of Death

The trembling in my body keeps growing, and lifting my head slightly, I peek around us. Noticing we’re heading away from Dublin, I dare to ask, “Where are you taking me?”

Nolan’s arm swings at me, and the butt of the gun slams twice against my head.

The pain is intense and jarring, instantly thrusting me into a trance. My eyes slam shut, and my breathing slows drastically. My mind goes completely blank, refusing to take in any of my surroundings.

I vaguely hear the roar of my Porsche’s engine, and at some point, we slow down. I’m yanked out of the car and forced into another vehicle like a rag doll.

It feels like hours pass before the trance lifts, and I’m able to make sense of my surroundings as I’m yanked out of the car again and forcefully dragged toward a small house.

I manage to glance around, and noticing we’re in the country with no other houses in sight, intense terror threatens to overwhelm me once again.

The moment I’m shoved into the house, Nolan says, “Grace sent messages. You will reply and make her believe everything is okay, or I will kill you.”

I can’t even manage a nod and keep sucking in quick breaths of air while frantically glancing around me.

The furniture is modest and on the older side. There’s a small square table with two chairs in the kitchen, which is situated to my left. To my right is a small living room with only one couch and a TV.

Nolan yanks one of the wooden chairs out and harshly forces me down onto it.

The gun is pressed to my head while he holds my phone out to me. “Answer, Grace.”

Going into my messages, I quickly read the text she sent me.

Grace: Tell me where you are. I’ll join you.

My heart squeezes painfully in my chest as I stare at the words.

“Reply to her!” Nolan shouts, the barrel of the gun pressing harder into my temple.

Scared shitless, I quickly type out an acceptable response that should set Nolan at ease.

Ciara: Please don’t be angry and understand it’s something I need to do on my own. I’m so thankful for everything you’ve done for me. I love you.

“Good,” he mutters, pulling the gun away from my head before he grabs the phone from me.

I sit frozen on the chair while cautiously glancing at Nolan as he takes a seat on the other chair. His eyes lock on me, and when he just stares for the longest time, the knot in my stomach twists until I start to feel nauseous.

My chin quivers, and my voice is nothing but a fearful whisper when I dare to ask, “Did you kidnap me for ransom?”

Slowly, Nolan shakes his head, then his gaze narrows on me. “Do you even know my name?”

Guardedly, I nod, my movements jerky. “Nolan Walsh. You’ve been working for us for the past three months.”

His eyebrows fly up, and a happy expression instantly wipes the aggression from his face. The sudden change gives me whiplash.

“I thought you didn’t notice me at all,” he says, his tone filled with surprise.

He reaches an arm out to me, and I cringe back when he tucks some of my hair behind my ear.

A different kind of fear trickles into my chest, making my heart beat even faster.

Nolan brushes his fingers down the side of my neck and down my arm until he reaches my hand. My horror grows when a smile tugs at his mouth.

“The first time I saw you, I knew we were meant to be together.”

Oh God. No.

He gives me a loving smile that’s nothing short of creepy. “You feel it too, right?”