Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I pull the safety belt on while the words spill over my lips. “I’ve been seeing the same man everywhere. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but yesterday at the store, he got really close to me, and when I was done shopping, he was leaning against the car.” My eyes meet Dad’s worried ones. “Tonight, he came into the restroom and grabbed me from behind, asking me if I’m scared.”
Dad starts the engine, and with screeching tires, he pulls away from the curb.
“What does he look like?” he asks.
“He has black hair that’s cut in a sharp faux style and hazel eyes. He’s easily two heads taller than me and wears expensive suits.” When Dad drives in the direction of our house, I ask, “Aren’t we going to the police?”
He shakes his head. “I’ll hire a private security team.”
“Why aren’t we going to the police?” I ask, thinking that’s the first thing we should do.
Dad hesitates for a moment before he says, “We don’t have enough details for them to find the man.”
Frowning at him, I argue, “But they can get information once they know I’m being stalked.”
Dad’s eyes flick to mine, and his tone is harsh as he snaps, “Let me handle this, Skylar.” There’s a flash of regret on his face, and he reaches across the console to give my hand a squeeze. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’m just worried. I’ll get a private company to find the man, and then we’ll go to the police. Okay?”
“Okay,” I whisper before glancing out of the window.
A bad feeling sinks deep into my gut, and my teeth tug at my bottom lip.
Chapter 13
Skylar
Yesterday, Dad contacted the private security firm, and he said they’re putting a skilled team together to protect me.
It doesn’t make me feel any better, because I think we should go to the police, but Dad won’t hear about it.
Sitting in Dr. Bentall’s office at the hospital, we wait for him to arrive so he can give me a checkup. He’s already twenty-five minutes late, and Dad’s getting agitated.
“What’s taking him so long?” Dad mutters as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.
I watch as he dials Dr. Bentall’s personal number, but a moment later, he shakes his head. “It goes straight to voicemail.”
Patting Dad’s arm, I get up and say, “I’ll check with Julia.” Walking to the reception counter, I smile as I ask, “Do you know where Dr. Bentall is?”
She gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry you’re waiting so long, Skylar. I’ve tried to call but can’t get a hold of him. Do you want to wait a little longer, or should we reschedule? I can squeeze you in tomorrow afternoon.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I look at Dad’s worried expression, then nod. “Let’s reschedule. Call me once you’ve confirmed the appointment with Dr. Bentall.”
“I’ll do that. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s keeping him.”
“It’s okay.” Turning away from the reception counter, I walk back to where Dad’s sitting. “Julia says she’ll reschedule for tomorrow. Let’s go home.”
“What a waste of time,” Dad mutters as he stands up. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and holds me close as we leave the office.
We’re quiet as we head down the hallway toward the exit, and I feel tension coming off Dad in waves.
Walking through the double doors of the hospital, Dad steers me in the direction of the Mercedes.
Suddenly there’s a screeching of tires as two white vans speed toward us. Dad turns us around, and grabbing my hand, he starts to run back to the entrance of the hospital.
I’m so freaking shocked I barely get to take in what’s happening as the vans stop behind us. When I’m roughly grabbed from behind, a terrified scream tears from my throat.
Dad’s fingers tighten around mine, but I’m yanked from his hold, and in absolute horror, I watch as two men forcefully restrain Dad.
I’m not strong enough to fight the man as he drags me into one of the vans, and before the doors slide shut, I hear Dad shout, “Skylar!”
“Daddy,” I scream just as I’m thrown to the floor and a knee presses into my lower back. My arms are yanked backward, and my wrists tied together with cable ties.
“Stop!” I cry as I try to wiggle free. “Oh Jesus…Jesus…Jesus.” Frantic panic stuns me into a stupor, and I keep gasping the same word over and over.
The knee lifts from my back, and I’m hauled upright and shoved onto a seat.
With wide eyes, my gaze lands on a man I’ve never seen before. He has light brown hair and eyes that seem black. Tattoos cover his neck, making him look scary as hell.
My breaths explode over my lips, and my heart hammers in my chest as I stare at the man who just kidnapped me in broad daylight.