Page 27

I’m at the hardware store picking up some heavier-duty cable ties—for emergencies only, of course. The scent of sawdust and oil fills the air, and I inhale deeply. There’s something so comforting about the smell of a workshop. Maybe it’s the possibilities of what can be created with just a few materials and tools. Taking something raw and sculpting it into something purposeful.

I panicked when Austin grabbed my wrist this morning. He was so calm, not rough at all. His fingertips had caressed my skin to the point where I couldn’t move. I was frozen, waiting to see what he would dare to do next.Not sensible. And the only way I’m going to get me and Danny out of this mess is if I keep my head on straight.

No messing around with the guy I’ve tied up in my basement. No more talking, no more flirting, and absolutely no more checking him out.

Because despite the effort I’m putting in to be a reasonable captor—and fine, maybe make him like me a little so he’ll give me what I want—it’s not working. He’s well-practiced at the game that I’m still only learning to play.

Frankly it’s a miracle he’s still tied up down there. It’s a miracle I managed to get him in the car at all.

I can be smart about this. Everything he does is a ploy to get me to release him. Sitting with his shirt off, licking the crumbs off his thumb when he finishes eating, the flirting, the softly spoken man who I know is a killer, the gratitude, the pleasantries. The list goes on and on. And every single tactic is there to throw me off guard and let him go.

And I know what will happen when he gets free. I’ll die. Because you can’t abduct the head of The Unseen and not face repercussions. Even if he likes how I look in a crop top and bike shorts.

And that comment about the café...I’ve only ever looked at you in that café.

My heart raced a mile a minute when he'd said that. Of course I’d noticed. It would have been hard not to. His presence in the café almost made me find somewhere new to get my matcha green goddess smoothie. But Jenny makes the best smoothies, and I wasn’t going to let some man, especially the worst kind of man, stop me from doing what I wanted to do.

His eyes would follow me around the juice bar. I could practically feel them staring at my ass as I placed my order. They followed me as I took my usual seat by the window. I swore one time I heard him growl at someone who tried to sit in my seat first. They quickly moved to the back corner, and his eyes were on me again. But the second I looked back, his eyes would dip low, and he’d take a sip of coffee. As soon as I stopped looking, his eyes would crawl back to me, watching me intently while I tried to focus on whatever book I was reading.

It wasn’t creepy; it was more curious. And I had to wonder why he hadn’t ever spoken to me, given that he seemed interested at the very least. I’d quickly determined he didn’t know who I was, despite me following Danny to his warehouse on a number of occasions. He seems very chatty now though.

After I finish up at the hardware store, I head to Squeezethe Day and take my seat in my usual spot by the window.

I can’t help but glance over at the chair that’s usually occupied by Austin.

“He must be running late,” Jenny says as she brings me my juice.

“Who?” I ask, but I feel the blush flow down my neck and spread on my cheeks.

“Girl, the hottie that you’re always having a stare-off with.”

“I don’t stare off with anyone.”

Oh god, she knows. I’m going to prison.

“Uh-huh, sure, and the beetroot smoothie doesn’t turn your poop purple,” she replies sarcastically, and I cough on my drink.

“Purple?”

“Fluorescent purple. Your pee, too. You know, if you’re ever trying to mix it up a bit.” She points down to my green kale smoothie, which fortunately does not turn my poop green.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Between you and me,” she whispers, leaning down to me, “I think he only comes in here for you.”

“For me?” I laugh nervously. “He’s never even spoken to me.” As far as she knows anyway.

“Well, he doesn’t seem like a man of many words. He’s one of those strong, silent types. You know, the broody ones.”

He’s actually been rather chatty stuck in my basement.

“I think you’ve been on the mushrooms again. Seeing things that don’t exist,” I joke, my heart fluttering so fast my skin was practically humming.

“Well, he only happens to come on the exact days and times that you do. I think that's an unlikely coincidence.”

“Obviously, he has a routine.” I shrug.

“He practically stares at you.”