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“That’s the one. Well, you’re not going to believe this.” I do love to tease him.

“What?”

I’ve piqued his curiosity now.

“She kidnapped me. Me! Can you believe it?”

“Austin...are you alright? You seem happy about this, and this doesn’t sound like a good thing,” he replies using his doctor voice, the one that’s without judgment, but really is ready to press a secret button under his desk that tells Mia tocall emergency services.

“Well, like you said, she’s finally paying an interest after two years. Of course it’s a good thing. Besides I’m fine, and this way, I can get to know her more. Once she comes back into the basement.”

“Okay. So you don’t want me to alert the authorities that you’ve been kidnapped?”

“Absolutely not. This is a perfect opportunity to lay some groundwork,” I say quickly.

There’s silence on the phone for a minute, and I finally hear him sigh. That’s what you need to do in these situations. If your therapist can’t make you better, you can one hundred percent make them worse.

“Can you promise me you’re not in any immediate danger?” he finally asks.

“Safe as a baby at a fire station.”

“And she doesn’t appear to be unstable?”

“Nope,” I quip.

“Did she explain why she kidnapped you?”

“Not yet, but as you taught me, I’m trying to get that delayed gratification.”

“That’s not a good time to use that, Austin,” he huffs out, and I can practically see his eyes roll to the back of his head.

Silence permeates through the phone as I hold my breath.

Finally, his gruff voice sounds out. “Then I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but itmightbe a good idea for you to see this through.”

“Yes, doc! I knew it.”

“But you will need to be back for your Friday session next weekin person. Otherwise, I will immediately alert the authorities.”

“Understood. That’s more than enough time.” I ponder how much I can learn about her in a whole week.

“Dare I ask, enough time for what?”

I grin. “To make her fall in love with me, of course.”

“Of course.” He clicks his tongue. “I trust that phone is a burner you’ve managed to keep hidden?”

“Yes. It was my backup one in my boot. I told you it was sensible to keep one. You told me it was me clinging to the insecurities of my past, and I should get rid of it.”

“Yes, well, good thing you never listen to me, isn’t it?”

I chuckle. “Certainly is. I’ll call you if anything goes awry.”

“Please do. Good luck, Austin.”

I hang up the phone. Thank god Alfie isn’t a conventional therapist. Imagine having to actually act normal for someone. Now, I just have to convince my dream girl that I am worth more than storing in her basement.

Olivia Daniels. Christ. I rub my face awkwardly with both palms. I’d been thinking with my dick when I placed that cloth on my mouth. As if, somehow, I could get her into bed after she kidnapped me. I glance over to the bucket she’d left me. That is a slight concern. Her clearing up my piss and shit bucket doesn’t exactly scream, “Take me to bed.” And I plan for her to do just that when the time is right.