Page 5 of Death

I remain frozen, unsure of how I should handle this situation.

“When I heard your father wanted you to marry the arms dealer, I had to step in.” His other hand rubs up and down my arm.

I thought he was kidnapping me for a ransom, but seeing the love-crazed expression in his eyes has my terror turning into something so intense I can’t process it.

His fingers squeeze mine tightly while he leans a little forward. “We can finally be together.”

My breaths continue to burst over my dry lips as I stare at him in horror.

Nolan climbs to his feet, and moving closer to me, he pulls me up before wrapping me in a gentle hug. Keeping one arm locked around my back, he brushes his other palm over my hair.

His tone is downright creepy as he murmurs, “You’re so innocent and beautiful. Now that I have you, I’ll never let you go.”

My mind keeps racing, my heart thundering against my ribs while another wave of nausea rolls over me.

How do I get out of this insane situation?

What would Grace do?

Chapter 2

CIARA

My mind is all over the place, my emotions a turbulent mess as I watch Nolan open the fridge and say, “We should be good for two weeks, so I won’t have to leave you alone anytime soon.”

What does this man want with me?

Is he going to torture and kill me?

God, I can’t process any of the shock!

He glances at me from over his shoulder. “Are you hungry?”

With jerky movements, I shake my head, my heart thundering against my ribs.

My body is wound so tight that my muscles are starting to ache. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, my voice hoarse when I ask, “Can I have water?”

A smile spreads over his face, and because he looks less threatening right now, I take a good look at my captor.

He has strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes, and his skin is covered with hundreds of light freckles. On the taller side,Nolan is regular-looking, and when he smiles, he actually seems normal.

I watch as he pours water into a glass, and when he walks toward me, I lift my hand to take it, but he shakes his head.

When he reaches his other hand out to me, I pull away, giving him a cautious look.

“Hold still,” he murmurs, his tone actually sounding affectionate.

With every inch of me on guard, I struggle to keep from moving as he places his hand behind my head before bringing the glass to my mouth.

What the hell?

“Drink, my love.”

I begin to tremble again, and filled with a world of confusion, my lips part, and I take a few sips.

Satisfaction bleeds over Nolan’s face, his pupils dilating as he watches me drink.

Fear creeps over my body, and I fist my hands together on my lap, the tension in me building to breaking point.