Page 88 of Rum & Coke

“Colton has school in the morning.”

“He’ll be absent.”

“Sebastian, please,” I pleaded. “His schooling is more than drawing and taking naps and whatever you might think he does in pre-k. He has special needs and therapy.”

“Then I’ll hire someone.”

“What?” I breathed.

He walked the few feet to me and cupped my cheek. I moved my face away, not wanting him to touch me. He smirked. “This little game is going to be fun.”

“Fun?” I questioned.

“I’ve had my eye on you for a while, Tessa Baby. Now that I have you, you’re mine.”

“I’ll never be yours.”

“You’re wrong. I always get what I want, and I want you.”

Never.

I stared up at the ceiling covered with blue waves as Colton laid next to me in the strange bed. He hadn’t woken up for more than a few seconds when I put him down in the guest room. After I changed into my pajamas, I got into bed and replayed everything over and over in my head.

Arguing with Sebastian hadn’t got me anywhere. I needed to think. I needed to come up with a plan. Ineededto escape. I wasn’t sure where Colt and I would go now that Sebastian knew where we lived, but I couldn’t stay with a man who had essentially kidnapped my son and me.

And then it hit me—likereallyhit me. I’d been kidnapped.

By my boss.

By a drug dealer.

By a murderer.

The tears started to fall again. How was this happening?Whywas this happening? And how was I going to get Colton and myself out of the situation? Colton needed extra care, and being trapped in a house wasn’t going to be good for him. But I didn’t know what to do. I’d dropped my purse when I was running, and I had no way of calling anyone. No way to tell Melony what had happened. No way to call for help. Maybe I could sneak back into the room where I saw Sebastian kill the guy? That seemed like an office of sorts. Maybe I could find a computer and send an email to Melony. Maybe there was a phone in there. Maybe …

“Get up!” Sebastian came into the room without knocking and turned on the light.

I scurried up against the headboard, covering myself with the blankets. I wasn’t naked, but I didn’t want him seeing me in my pajamas either. “Can you be a little quieter?” I whispered. “My son’s asleep.”

“You’re getting feisty. Didn’t think you’d have it in you, my angel.”

I rolled my eyes. “What do you want?”

“Cops are here.”

My heart started to race. “Really?”

He grinned. “They’re not taking you, Tessa.”

“Then why are they here?”

“Welfare check.”

“Yeah?” I glared. “Well, you fucking kidnapped me and my son. We’re not doing too well are we?” I mocked.

Sebastian shrugged. “You’re fine. I haven’t hurt you, and we’re not going to keep going around and around about this.”

I got out of the bed. “Then I’ll tell the policeeverything,” I hissed.