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Before I could react, he disappeared into the kitchen. There was banging about, cupboards opened and closed, but I swore I heard the man whisper—and a second voice responded.

That same delicious chill swept over my skin.

I took a step forward, pulled toward the sensation.

Before I could peek and confirm he wasn’t alone, the young man reappeared. “Here you go, Serena.”

Blinking at the frosted glass cup with a blue rim, I croaked a thank you. Obeying the urgent tug, I began to guzzle the water. The cool, wetness slid down my throat. The cracks and raw places screamed in protest, but the hydration was imperative to chase away the lingering fog from the drugs, pain, and sleep.

The moment it was drained, my brain registered a detail, and my stomach flipped. This man knew my name.

I handed him back the glass. “Where am I?”

“I can’t tell you that.” His apologetic look wasn’t comforting.

The alarm bells that rang in my mind pealed louder.

“Okay, can you tell me your name?” I pressed, trying to keep calm.

He stiffened at my commanding tone. “Iosif.”

“And how, Iosif, did you know my name?”

“You told my friend.”

At the mention of another, impossibly blue eyes filled my mind.

“This is his home.” Iosif shifted again. “He requested that you stay here until you’re recovered. You can have whatever you’d like from the kitchen, but please stay indoors this evening.”

“I want to meet him,” I insisted.

“You will.”

Not good enough. “Why does it feel like you’re keeping me prisoner?”

The first hint of danger darkened his grin. “We just want to take care of you, Serena.”

My instinct was correct. I was in a den of monsters. Iosif rattled off a few more instructions, commanding me again to stay indoors, before he left. I tiptoed after him, but the kitchenwas empty as he pushed through the door. When it closed, my heart shuddered.

***

A path had formed along the edge of the rug, visible evidence of the anxiety that had driven me to pace relentlessly back and forth for the past half hour. If I were the type to bite my nails during moments of tension, my fingers would undoubtedly be raw and bleeding by now, gnawed down to the quick by my own nervous habit. Instead, I was left with the dull ache of anticipation and the persistent urge to keep moving, as if doing so might somehow bring clarity or resolution to the situation.

Don’t go outdoors, the man had said.

Not only did it make me want to venture outside just to defy him, but it sent my imagination running wild. I didn’t know where I was, though I doubted I was still in Louisiana. I could be anywhere. Right now, I seemed safe. But for how long? It would be better to make my escape while they thought I was resting and recovering from my injuries.

I crept to the window, pulling back the lace. The rhythmic rush, roar, and crash was softer on this side of the house. Whatever was out there, some machine judging by the steady beat, spiked my curiosity as to what kind of place this was. There was no telling what challenges waited for me out there, trying to stop my departure. I didn’t dare leave until the sun set, but what dangers would the dark bring?

The sun retreated behind the line of trees. Soon, the powerful rays would dim.

And then, I had to make a run for it.

Not only did I have to escape this place for my own sake, but if I was going to resume my travels, I had to make contact with the hotel in New Orleans for my things and touch base with mybrothers. If I didn’t contact them soon, they would start looking for me. And that would end my once in a lifetime vacation. I no doubt already missed the mandatory check-ins, but I could pass that off as having been drunk or sick from food poisoning. But if I remained silent, Sandro would come for me. He would ruin everything.

I’m not going back.

My clever little sister-in-law won me this trip, careful to avoid including an end date. This was my chance at freedom. The world was mine to explore, and I would find a place in it.