With shaky hands, I managed to pull it out. The only person I could think to call was my dad. He had to come, right? He always said he’d protect me, no matter what. So I dialed his number, praying he’d answer.
It rang twice before he picked up. “What is it, Selene?” His voice was sharp, annoyed.
“Dad,” I gasped. “Dad, I’m in trouble. Someone—”
“Selene, I’m busy. What do you want?”
My stomach dropped. “No, Dad, I’m serious! I’ve been kidnapped! You have to—”
“Not now, Selene. I don’t have time for your drama.” And with that, he hung up.
I stared at my phone, disbelief washing over me. He thought I was lying. He thought this was just another one of my stunts to get attention. I’d done stupid things before, sure, but this? This was real. And he didn’t believe me.
The thug noticed the phone in my hand and ripped it away, smashing it to the ground. The screen shattered, much like my hope. “Daddy’s not coming to save you!” he laughed, shaking his head. “He’s too busy making deals to care about you.”
His words stung, more than I wanted to admit. But deep down, I knew they were true. My father had always been about the business first, family second. And right now, I was learning just how far down the list I really was.
The thug pulled out a knife and started twirling it between his fingers, his grin widening. “Now, we’re gonna have some fun. And when me and my men done with your body, maybe I’ll send a piece of you back to dear old Dad. See if that gets his attention.”
Fear froze me in place as he moved closer. There was nothing I could do. No one was coming for me, and I was completely at his mercy. What followed was a blur of pain and terror. He was methodical, taking his time, making sure I felt every second of it.
I lost track of how long it lasted. Hours? Days? It all blended together in a haze of agony. At some point, I blacked out, hoping I wouldn’t wake up again.
But I did.
When I opened my eyes, the room was empty. The thug was gone, leaving me tied up in the same chair. My wrists burned from the ropes, but I forced myself to move, tugging at the knots until I was free. My body ached with every movement, but I managed to get up and stumble toward the door.
Just as my fingers grazed the door handle, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Before I could turn around, before I could react, a blinding pain exploded in the back of my skull.
CRACK.