Page 129 of Between Secrets and Obsession

My sisters and Liam are going to freak the hell out. There’s no way they’ll believe I left.

But if what Victoria said is true, then this’ll allow Liam to stay focused on doing what she asks. I don’t even want to think about what Johnny O’Leary would do if he found out the truth.

In some weird, fucked-up way, I think maybe she’s right. I’m the reason he’s lost focus in playing along in their messed-up marriage arrangement. He wants out, but until Victoria releases him, he has to follow her orders and make their relationship believable.

“Ready?” Ty asks after he opens the door. I reach out, and he assists me to my feet.

“Thanks,” I murmur awkwardly.

“You can take off the blindfold as soon as we’re inside,” he says.

Eric grabs my things, then they lead me up some stairs. A door opens and Ty ushers me in.

“Alright, I’m gonna remove your blindfold, but before I do…let’s go over the rules.”

Rules? How about rule number one: don’t kill me.

“There are cameras in every room of the house except the bathrooms. Victoria can see the live feed, so I wouldn’t do anything stupid. Eric and I each have a room next to yours. Thehouse will be on lockdown, so even if you stupidly tried to run, you won’t be able to get out without sounding the alarms.”

“And we’re both carrying,” Eric adds roughly. His hoarse voice sends a shiver down my spine and not in a pleasant way.

I swallow hard. “Got it.”

I’ve no idea what they know about me or if they even know why I’m here, but I’m smart enough not to play games around people who could easily end me with one bullet.

Ty steps closer and his fingers brush my neck before he lifts the cloth over my head. I blink, studying my surroundings.

Well, it’s not the worst place to be held hostage. Victoria was right. This is luxury living. This is no small cabin in the middle of nowhere. This is amansionin the woods.

My eyes finally land on Ty, and he narrows his gaze, studying my face as if he recognizes me.

“You must be Ty,” I say nervously.

If I had to guess, he’s probably a few years older than Liam.

He gives me a curt nod.

“I’m Maddie.” Though he probably already knows that.

His lips part, and his throat moves, but he doesn’t say anything else. Almost as if he’s not allowed to.

Eric huffs and walks past us with my backpack and suitcase. “C’mon. I’ll show you to your room.”

As I follow him, I notice how extravagant the place really is when I see large flat-screen TVs, an oversized gas fireplace, a modern kitchen with high tech appliances, and countless fancy chandeliers.

Why would Victoria send me here?

This looks too good to be true.

Then again, Victoria is thequeenof mind games.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

LIAM

My heart is lodgedin my throat as the anxiety of Maddie being gone violently creeps in. Victoria’s behind this, or she wouldn’t have said what she did.

“I warned you to behave, hubby. But you didn’t listen.”Her words echo in my head, over and over, and the only thing that forces me back to reality is Sophie following us into the living room. All I hear are threats to call the police. Her hand is unsteady as she clenches the note in her fist.