Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“Your kindness is appreciated, but you don’t have to lie to me. I know I’m nothing more than an unnecessary nuisance that you tolerate because you love Bel.”
He smirks, and when he smiles his eyes look a little less like he’s going to eat me alive. “While that may be partially true, you’re also someone my best friend cares about, regardless of what he says, or how stupid he is, so your safety and security are important to me by extension. Which leads me to my next question. What if I told you I could help fix things?”
I look away and down to the tips of my Converse. My gaze jumps to the battered tips of his boots, and then I look back up to his face again. “Help? How? In what way?”
He shrugs one broad shoulder. “It’s not a guarantee, and most of the time it takes some work on both parts since afterward things can get a little hairy, but it helped Bel and me. I’m only bringing it up since I feel it might make Sebastian see things in a different light.”
“I mean...” I consider what he’s saying. It’s obvious that Sebastian and I have been playing this yo-yo game, going back and forth. It would be nice to know his intentions and feelings. I weigh my options. It seems rude to decline, especially if he has a way to ease the tension between us. It might help lessen the blow of my confession, as well. “Okay, sure. Whatever you can do to help, I’m all ears. I want things to work out.”
The corner of his mouth tips up the tiniest bit, and then he nods. “I’m happy to hear that. Apologies in advance for anything that might happen after this moment. It’s not personal, I promise.”
My brows pinch together as I stare up at him in confusion. “Apologies? What do you mean? Why’re you apologizing?”
Before I can think or react, he’s got me by the bicep, spun around, and a piece of rope jerked tight around my wrists. How the…? What is happening right now? I open my mouth to speak, and he shoves me down onto the bed. I land hard, my chest pressing uncomfortably under the weight.
“What are you doing?” I squeak out.
He lifts me easily by the hips and tosses me higher up the bed. I’m trying not to think the worst here, but it’s impossible when my brain sends mixed signals. There's never been anything between Drew and I. He is cordial at best for Bel's sake. And she’s my best friend. I would never touch him or do anything to ruin my friendship with her. I didn’t think he would either, not with how in love and obsessed he is, but I guess I was wrong.
The possibility of losing Bel and Sebastian—it breaks my heart. I blink away the tears threatening to fall as memories loom at the edges of my mind. “Please, don't do this. I thought you loved Bel. I promise you don’t want me.”
He ties my ankles with the same rough rope, and the weight on the back of my legs lifts when he moves back to stand.
“Of course I love Bel. But this has nothing to do with her.”
“Please… you don’t want me.” I gasp into the mattress.
“Relax, I’m not going to rape you or touch you sexually in any way. I would never cheat on Bel. She’s my entire fucking world.”
I nearly sigh in relief at his confession. “Then… what are you doing?”
“You told me you wanted my help, so I’m giving it to you.”
I turn and rest my cheek against the mattress so I can breathe and try to catch sight of him from the corner of my eyes. He’s looming behind me like a monster who’s going to attack. I squeeze my eyes shut to fight off one of the memories of my past that appear in my mind.
Drew is not Yanov. He’s not going to hurt you.
I repeat that to myself ten times over, but making my body and mind believe that isn’t easy. Especially not when he grabs me and tosses me up and onto his shoulder.
My imaginings of Sebastian doing this very thing to me make me feel foolish now. The air is pressed out of my gut as my weight bounces on his shoulder. “I changed my mind. I don’t want your help anymore.”
He slaps the back of my thigh hard enough to sting, and I jerk. “Stop talking and trust the process.”
I gulp and watch the floor as he carries me down the stairs and outside. Not a soul comes out of the woodwork to help, and I know Bel must be gone for some reason.
Fuck. What is going on?
“Please, Drew,” I pant out, barely able to draw breath with the position he holds me in.” I mean it. I don't need your help if it involves me being kidnapped.”