As long as I got out of here, I would have a chance to run.
At the hospital, Faye scrawled two full pages of ridiculous items for me to buy.
Caleb handed me a thick stack of cash and added with tender concern, "Sweetheart, be careful out there. Get everything and come straight back. Don't make me worry."
Then he nodded to the bodyguard. "Keep my wife safe."
Watching that lovingly devoted act of his made my stomach turn.
I gave a small nod and left.
While shopping, I slipped away long enough to buy a powerful sedative. Later, during a rest break, I crushed it into the bodyguards' water when they weren't looking.
I watched both of them slump over in their chairs, out cold. Then I pulled my hat low over my eyes and slipped into a narrow alley, disappearing into the crowd.
But as I cut through the narrow alley, three hulking figures stepped out to block my path.
The same three men who had kidnapped me five years ago.
My heart seized. I spun to run, only to find the other end of the alley sealed off.
The ringleader licked his lips.
"Well, well. Long time no see, sweetheart."
"Someone paid top dollar for us to take you on another little trip down memory lane..."
I forced myself to stay calm and tried to negotiate.
"I'm the lost heiress of Barber Group. Let me go, and I'll pay you whatever you want."
They exchanged glances, then burst out laughing.
"You're the Barber heiress? And I'm the CEO of Barber Group! Come here, little princess. Let me take real good care of you."
He lunged at me, tearing at my clothes.
I kicked and screamed, thrashing with everything I had. "I really am the Barber heiress! You have no idea what you're—"
Crack!
A vicious slap sent my skull ringing, black spots swimming across my vision.
They closed in.
I shoved against them with both arms pressed to my chest, but two of the men seized me and slammed me against the wall, pinning me there.
The trauma hit all at once.
Tears poured down my face. Pain tore through every nerve. The memories of what they'd done to me five years ago came flooding back in vivid, sickening detail, and I screamed and sobbed until my throat was raw.
"Look at that, she's having one of her episodes. Listen to her scream!"
They laughed, excited, ripping at my clothes while I thrashed.
I tried to scream again, but all that came out was a shredded whisper. "Stop... get off me..."
Their filthy hands crept closer, about to cross the last line.
Bang! !
An SUV came barreling into the narrow alley and plowed straight into the ringleader, launching him off his feet.
"Get your hands off her, you animals!!"
A roar of pure, volcanic fury shattered the air.
A coat settled around my trembling shoulders, carrying the cool, clean scent of cedarwood.
I looked up.
It was him.
