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The door handle turned, and I clasped my hand over my mouth, terrified.

“They are trying the door, Cal,” I whispered, tears in my eyes as he swore again, ordering me to stay calm.

My body shook as I tried to do as he said. Every fiber of my instinct was telling me to get as far away from whoever was on the other side of that door.

“Baby, listen, I’m too far away to get there before the police could. Hang up now and call the police, do it loudly, you hear me? Do itloudly.I’m coming, but do that,” his voice interrupted my thoughts as I nodded. He demanded confirmation that I had heard him.

“Okay,” I managed as he hung up.

I dialed the police as the door groaned opened behind me, as I fell over in shock. It wasn’t possible—I hadlockedthe door.

I heard a voice on the end of the line asking what my emergency was as I stood still, afraid to breathe. I cut the call as I slunk backward, my foot catching the table by the door, causing a loud clatter, exposing my location to the intruder.

Fuck!

The door opened slowly, and I saw a man enter, his bulky frame almost as wide as the door, his face menacing as he scanned the room, looking for me. He was bald with scars over his face as he grinned with satisfaction when his eyes fell on me.

A voice in my head told me to run with every ounce of my being, my feet were like rubber as I tried to dash for the kitchen which was merely strides away. My heart was in my throat as I saw the knife stand, lunging for it desperately as I felt a hand clamp around my face, a rag pressed into my mouth as a voice whispered in my ear.

“Sssh,Bella.”

I clawed at the hands hopelessly, fighting with every ounce of strength I had, the Italian accent pouring fear into my veins. The pungent odor from the rag soon had me gasping for breath as my head swam.

This cannot be happening.

The world spun as I sank into the arms of the enemy, and I was aware of my body being lifted into the air with ease.

Cal, I need you.

Part Two: Chapter Eight

CAL

I couldn’t hear anything but the roaring in my ears as I jumped out of the truck, my eyes taking in the wide-open door.

No, no, no!

Where are the sirens?!

The cops?!

I screamed her name, my throat raw with emotion. I ran from room to room, my heart sinking with the realisation that she wasn’t there.

No!

I roared her name repeatedly, before I caught sight of her phone on the floor near the table by the door. I felt like someone had twisted a knife in my gut as I saw the crack on the screen.

Gretchen had dropped it.

My hands shook as I unlocked the screen, her favorite photo of the two of us her screen saver. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I checked the last number she had dialed.

The cops.

I closed my eyes as I slumped on the stairs.

Who the fuck has my girl? Who wants to die that badly?

The endless images of the possibilities swam through my head as I grit my teeth in rage.