Page 103 of Bitter Lies

The doors slide open when we arrive. Marty steps aside, gesturing for me to exit first. There isn’t much I can do. If I don’t, he’ll force me. To keep him from touching me again, I step out and survey my surroundings.

“This way.” He motions to his left, where a car with dark-tinted windows is waiting.

“You don’t have to do this.” Despite the change in his eyes, I try speaking to him as if he were the man I believe him to be. “Please, Marty.”

Sweat beads on his brow as he stands there, gesturing for me to move.

I take a step back, my heart pounding, thinking about running. But in that split second, he opens his jacket, revealing the glint of a gun.

A warning I understand loud and clear.

Anxiety makes my stomach churn as I inch forward, every step amplified by the thumping of my heart, desperate for an escape.

Five steps from the door, the air shifts. It grows heavy with a promise of trouble, accompanied by the whispered warning that something bad is coming.

I never thought I’d need the training Gabby forced on me, but it might just save me now. I’d rather die fighting than let them take me. I refuse to make this easy for them.

Sir Edward’s voice echoes in my mind. If you’re taken, you give them hell. Make it difficult, make it messy, never go quietly. Make them regret it.

Everything I’ve ever read or watched about a kidnapping says the same thing—your chances lower the moment they get you into a vehicle. They encourage you to use what you have. Fingernails. Elbows. Knees. Your voice.

Always scream. Loud enough to be heard, catching the attention of those within hearing distance. Your voice could save your life. Use it.

“Help!” I shout at the top of my lungs. “Someone, anyone, please help me!”

Marty groans as his hand clamps around my arm again, squeezing harder this time.

Instincts kicks in. I’ve practiced this move. The pressure means nothing as I twist and slip out of his hold.

It works.

For a split second, it catches him by surprise. Enough to give me an advantage, and I take off running as fast as my feet will move.

I don’t bother looking back. I just run.

These clogs aren’t meant for running, but they work.

The garage is dark, shadows swallowing me whole as the musty scent of oil and dust fills my nostrils. This could work; help me hide. I head straight into the darkness where visibility is limited. If they can’t see me, they can’t find me.

My plan is to get as far away as I can before they spot me.

A hollow echo reverberates through the empty garage. Every sound bounces off the walls. I hear men moving behind me, speaking in short code, like soldiers on a mission.

Marty has friends, he’s not working alone. No shock there.

They’ve lost me, for now.

If I don’t move soon, they’ll find me again.

“Princess, come out. My friends just want to talk. Talk. That’s all.” Marty knows I’m not stupid, but that doesn’t stop him from squawking. “You aren’t getting out of here. There’s no one left. Ryan’s out cold. I injected him myself with some powerful drugs. Sasha’s fighting for her life.”

There’s a beat of silence, and I hold my breath. “Lynette’s dead.”

Hearing that hurts. Tears instantly spill from my eyes. I wait for him to say more. He doesn’t. He doesn’t mention Teddy.

What happened to Teddy? He has to be around somewhere.

“The pilot your new friend sent is sitting in the waiting room like a damn fool. He took the bait. By the time he realizes I’m not coming back, we’ll be long gone.”