Page 7

Margot

We sit in silence as he navigates traffic.

I’m too busy trying to figure out how to escape to care about where we’re going.

Jumping out of a moving car is out of the question.

I’m far too clumsy to come through unscathed.

I know they say your survival rate drastically drops once you get to a secondary location, but there’s just no way in hell I’m jumping.

If I can figure out where we’re going, then I can make a plan.

Think, Margot.

I still have my phone. He never took it. Rookie mistake. Very inept of him as a kidnapper.

Oh. Maybe he is a rookie. Maybe this is his first kidnapping.

Am I his first victim? How special. Honestly, it’s an honor to be chosen. My first time as a captive. His first time as a captor.

Aw. How romantic.

Wait. If he’s new at this, that means he’ll mess up again. He already messed up by leaving me with my phone. I just need to know where we’re going .

“Where are we going?” The question pops out before I can stop it.

Not very sleuth of me. Damn it.

It takes him a moment to answer, like he doesn’t know.

“We’re going to my place.” He finally says with a smile, looking pleased with himself.

His place?

“And where is your place?” I force my voice to stay light, hoping he’ll just tell me and make my grand escape much easier.

My current plan? Feign compliance until I’m alone. Then order an Uber home.

“Nice try.” He chuckles.

Double damn it.

“How long will we be there, Matty?” I try a nickname, hoping to appeal to his emotional side. I heard that’s what they do when negotiating with criminals. Maybe if he trusts me, he’ll let me go, with my tongue intact.

“Don’t call me that.” He snaps; his voice sharp with frustration.

Okay. Duly noted.

Let’s try again.

“Alright. So, what should I call you?”

“Nothing. You shouldn’t know my name. Admitting you do makes me less likely to let you go.”

I blink.

Well, that’s not promising.

“I don’t know your name.” I lie.

He knows I’m lying.

I know he knows I’m lying.

But I have to try.

“You’ve called me by my name multiple times.” His voice is dry. “Just call me Matthias. ”

He sounds annoyed. Sorry, Matty. If you wanted an easy afternoon, maybe you should’ve just not kidnapped a random, innocent girl. You know, after murdering two people in front of her.

Like damn, Matty. It’s before noon on a Monday and you’ve already killed two men and kidnapped me. I hate to see how the rest of your week looks.

“Okay. So, Matthias.” I exaggerate his name just to be annoying, “How long will we be at your place?”

“I don’t know. I need to figure it out.”

That doesn’t sound comforting. I need to go home.

“Could we make a pit stop at my house on the way there?”

“No.”

“Please? I really need to go. I’ll even come back with you.”

“No.”

“Please?”

He sighs. “What do you need?”

“I need to check on Benny!”

He slowly turns his head from the street to glare at me.

His entire body tenses. “Who the fuck is Benny ?” He seethes the name.

Excuse me?

I stare back, completely baffled. “Benny is my puppy.”

He relaxes.

Okay, wow. That was a reaction .

“He needs to be let out and fed. He probably needs a walk as well. He’s not used to being alone for long. I don’t leave the house much.”

Way to sound like a loser, Margot.

Not that I care what he thinks. Liar.

“Who names their dog, Benny? ”

“I do!” I say smugly. “He’s named after Benjamin Barry. He’s Benjamin Barry Peterson.”

Matthias stares at me blankly. “Who?”

“Benjamin Barry?” I repeat. Nothing. “Benny Boo Boo?” Nothing. “Andie Anderson, How To girl.” I say in my best high-pitched voice.

Still nothing.

I gape at him. “ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days ? Classic rom-com? Kate Hudson? Matthew McConaughey? He needs a girl to fall in love with him, she needs a guy to dump her.”

“I have literally no idea what you’re saying.”

I groan. “How have you not seen How to Lose a Guy in 10 Day s? It’s a classic!”

Not seeing How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days might be a bigger sin than kidnapping.

Well, maybe not bigger than double homicide though.

But close.

“It’s only one of the best movies ever.” I fold my arms across my chest. “You should definitely watch it.”

“Sure.” He says flatly.

I sigh in defeat. You can bring a horse to water…

“I’m not really into chick flicks.” He says like that's any defense against this grave sin.

“Figures. I bet you’re into action movies. Thrillers. Serial killer documentaries. Oh, wait! I bet ‘Taken’ is your favorite movie.” I shoot him a pointed look.

“Huh?” He sounds confused.

“Because, you know.” I gesture at him then myself. “You’re kidnapping me.”

“I’m not kidnapping you!” He sounds exasperated.

I arch a brow. “No? Then what would you call you taking me against my will?”

He pauses .

“Think of it as… a vacation”

I gape at him. “A vacation?”

“Yeah. An adventure. A break from your normal life.”

Is he serious?

“Speaking of my normal life, can we go get Benny, please?”

“No.”

“My puppy needs me!” I whine, trying to emphasize how important this is.

Matty grabs his phone and makes a call. It connects to the car through Bluetooth.

“Hey, boss. What’s up?” A man’s voice answers.

“I need you to stop by–” He turns to look at me. “What’s your address?”

This is my chance.

“Help! I’m being kidnapped! Call the cops!”

I shout the words as fast as I can before Matthias ends the call.

The voice on the other end coughs awkwardly. “Uh… boss?”

“Don’t question me. Do as you’re told.” He tells the guy on the phone.

His eyes lock onto mine, his voice drops lower, deadly serious. “And you. Don’t pull that shit again.”

My stomach turns.

“He won’t go against me. Neither will anyone at my house. Nor anyone else you come across.” His voice is measured, even, like he’s stating cold, hard facts. “These are my men. They only listen to me.”

And then he says it.

“If you keep this shit up, I’ll take it out on Benny. Do you understand?”

My blood runs cold.

I feel like I’ve been punched in the chest .

Not my poor Benny.

I won’t let anyone hurt him.

Up until this point, although knowing I was being kidnapped by a murderer, it didn’t feel real.

Yes, I saw him shoot those men, but I was detached, like a scene from a movie. Maybe because those men were shooting at us, and against my better judgment, I believe him when he said it was us or them. Maybe because I’ve been in shock.

Or maybe it’s because his face and body almost make you forget you’re not here willingly.

But this? This makes it real.

Not my sweet baby.

Matthias threatens my puppy.

And suddenly, everything crashes down.

“Answer me. Do you understand?” His voice is razor-sharp.

“Yes.” Mine comes out barely a whisper.

“Good. Now, what is your address? Rocco here will go pick him up.”

I can’t answer immediately. I’m still stuck on the whole hurting-Benny-thing.

“If you don’t give me your address, I can’t send someone to get him.” Matthias sighs. “He won’t be let out or fed. Do you want that to happen?”

That snaps me out of it.

“No. My address is 6215 Goodwood Ave.” My voice is tight, my throat closing up.

Then without thinking, I turn to the speaker. “Rocco, please be gentle with him. He’s just a puppy.”

That was a mistake.

“Don’t talk to Rocco!” Matthias snaps.

I flinch .

His eyes flash, a dark warning behind them. He turns back to the phone. “Rocco, you catch that? Get the dog and bring him to my place.”

“Yes, sir.”

Matthias hangs up.

The second he does, he turns to me. His head tilts slightly, calculating.

“Never speak directly to my men.”

I freeze.

“They don’t get to hear your voice.” His tone takes a deadly turn, emphasized by how quiet it is. “That’s only for me.”

Something inside me twists. I don’t know if it’s fear, revulsion, or something else entirely.

“And never disobey me in front of them.” His voice dips even lower. “You won’t like the consequence.”

And then.

“Neither will Benny”

Something inside me snaps.

The sob punches out of me before I can stop it.

And then another.

And another.

Before I know it, I’m crying hard. Uncontrollably. Big, fat, ugly tears. My body shakes and my breaths come in ragged gasps.

“Today has been the worst fucking day.”

I break.

“First, my boss rushes me to a meeting about the stupid discrepancy. This Koschei Group is making my life a living hell. Then, I have to abandon my coffee at home in my rush. Then, my good deed! I try to return some asshole’s credit card, and what happens?

HE MURDERS TWO MEN AND KIDNAPS ME! In what fucking world does that happen?

My good intentions lead to me being taken, Liam Neeson style ”

I sob harder.

“And now, now you’re threatening my puppy. Benny didn’t do anything wrong! I didn’t do anything wrong! I was just trying to be nice! And now I’m in this fucking car, with a fucking murderer. AND I NEVER EVEN GOT MY COFFEE!”

I completely break down.

I hold my face in my hands as my entire body convulses with sobs. Tears stream down my cheeks. I don’t even bother wiping them away.

I’m just done.

Then I feel it.

A tentative pat on my back.

Oh. My. God.

Matthias is patting my back.

Matthias the kidnapper. The murderer. The psycho.

Comforting me.

Matthias the hottie.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. As long as you follow my directions, nothing will happen to Benny. I have a big yard he can play in while we figure this out.”

His tone is soft. Cautious.

I guess he’s not used to hysterical girls. But it’s his fault I’m this way. If he didn’t want to deal with a sobbing wreck of a girl, then he shouldn’t have kidnapped me. I refuse to feel sorry for him. But at least now I know he has a heart. Even a psychotic murderer needs one.

Oh my God. I’m letting a murderer comfort me. A hot murderer with a soothing voice. But a murderer nonetheless. A murderer who is currently kidnapping me and is the reason I’m a wreck.

The realization snaps me out of it.

“GET OFF OF ME!” I shriek as I shrug him off .

He hesitates, like he doesn’t quite understand what just happened. But then, he just nods and goes back to driving.

We sit in silence once more.

I couldn’t say if it’s been minutes or hours when he finally speaks again.

“We’re here.” His voice is quiet.

I exhale shakily, only just managing to pull myself together. The car slows, pulling through a massive wrought-iron gate guarded by armed men.

I glance out the window.

My jaw drops.

This isn’t a house. It’s a castle . I’ve never seen a bigger home.

It’s breathtaking, all warm stone, with a grand entrance, towering columns, and intricate balconies that look straight out of a historical romance.

The front garden alone is bigger than my entire backyard and full of fountains, sculpted hedges, and bushes trimmed to perfection.

It’s beautiful. Elegant.

I’ve never given much thought to my dream home, but now that I’ve seen this?

This is it.

And for a brief second, a thought flickers through my mind.

What if I stayed?

What if I never leave?

I get lost in that daydream.