Page 102 of Mine

I groaned, leaning back in my seat.

Of course, Drake. He adores Gretchen.

He answered on the first ring, his voice filled with concern. “Leo? Are you okay?”

“No. I’m not. Someone’s taken Gretchen.”

“Where are you?” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

“I’m parked outside The Salvatore house,” I shook my head as he groaned.

“Why? What thefuckhave they got to do with it? You need to leaveright now. I’ll get someone to watch the house. Meet me at Ray’s in fifteen. Go, Leo.”

The phone slid from my hand as I gazed up at the house, my eyes searching every window.

Have I done this to her?

Have my life choices brought her here? Of course, they fucking have.

I reversed slightly, casting another look at the house before I left, praying for a clue of any kind.

It was not answered.

God can fuck himself.

Part Two: Chapter Nine

GRETCHEN

My eyes flickered open as I gazed at the ornate ceiling above me, aware I was laid on a soft bed. I lifted my head up as nausea rippled through my body. I sank back down onto the plump pillows, wondering what had happened.

Where am I?

Did I go out?

I was sure I didn’t go out. If I had, where was my phone?

I rolled my head to the side, glancing at the bedside table, finding only a lamp on the unfamiliar glossy surface.

I groaned as I tried to sit up again, before hearing a silky voice from the corner of the dark room.

“Hello, Gretchen. Did you sleep well?”

I didn’t know who was speaking to me, and as I sat up, my head swam as though liquid was sloshing around in my skull, my brain a mere ice cube.

“Where am I?” I whispered as I tried to focus. My vision was misty, and no matter how many times I blinked, it wouldn’t clear. I groaned and focused on the black floaters that danced in my eyes.

“I wondered which question would come first. I thought you’d ask who I was, so let me answer both for you.”

A woman stepped out from the darkness and her beauty captivated me. She wore no makeup but didn’t need to:her green eyes contrasted with her honey-colored skin, her dark tresses pulled into a loose ponytail which swished as she moved. She wore jeans and a high neck shirt, showing off her flawless figure. She gazed at me then, her eyes searching my face as she smiled wistfully.

“I can see why he is so smitten.”

Cal.

Adrenaline flooded my veins, and despite not having the gift of sight, I bolted upright. The woman’s eyes widened with concern as she held her hand out to me.

“Please, sit. You’ve had quite an eventful evening and I would hate for you to fall and hurt yourself.”