Page 62 of Illicit Games

ROSA: Kian the captor?

ROSA: Kian!! Seriously!

ROSA: Kian??????

BEE: You and Kian???? How did THAT happen?

ROSA: He Stockholm-syndromed you, didn’t he?

ROSA: Send a winking emoji. I’ll come save you.

BEE: REPLY!!!!!!!!!!

ROSA: We. Need. Answers! *face with steam from nose emoji*

The texts pause to turn into calls that I missed.

BEE: Iris!

BEE: Pick. Up. Your. Phone. Now.

ROSA: That’s it. I’m coming to your place.

BEE: I’ll meet you there.

Almost an hour later, there were a few more missed calls before they called.

ROSA: Why are neither of you home?

ROSA: Where the hell are you two?

BEE: This isn’t funny, Iris.

ROSA: I knew he’d kidnap you.

ROSA: Don’t fall for the kidnapper, Iris.

BEE: At least, let us know you’re safe.

ROSA: You have till morning, then I’m starting to tear the city apart.

ROSA: Bring her back, Kian. Or I swear I will plaster posters of you on every street with the tag kidnapper. In caps. With the ugliest picture of you that I can find.

“Crap,” I curse, reading the last message.

“What?” murmurs Kian, his breath ruffling my hair. “What crime did your friend downgrade me to now?”

“None.” I chuckle. “She has ruled on your punishment though.”

“Should I be worried?”

“See for yourself.” I pass him the phone.

He quietly reads the messages, scrolling to the end. “I guess technically I did kidnap you.”

“Is it kidnapping if I’m a willing captive?”

“Then I’m safe.” Returning my phone, he says, “Let them know you’re fine. Your family too.”