CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Evie carefully made her way closer to the stairs. Walking behind her, Landy kept his gun pointed straight at her spine. The weapon meant to, as he’d put it, “keep her in line”.
This can’t be happening.
This couldn’t be the way her story was supposed to end. Not after everything she’d already managed to survive.
And yet…
She tripped, nearly tumbling up the first step when the toe of her silver stiletto caught the hem of her gown. In another life, she’d think the white sequined dress was stunning. But in this one…
It’s what Landy forced me to wear for the man on his way to buy me.
After the horrific scene with him and his guard the day before, Landy had forced her back into the same cabin she’d escaped from, tied her up once again, and then he’d left her there alone for the rest of the night.
This morning he’d come in with a cup of coffee, some eggs, and a smile. But Evie was still too sickened by the man he turned out to be, she couldn’t even think about putting a drop of anything into her stomach.
Her sense of nausea had only grown worse when he’d forced her to shower at gunpoint. Thankfully, Landy had at least had the courtesy to stand just outside the bathroom, rather than watching her like a disgusting perv. But he’d threatened her with death if she tried anything on him like she had the man he’d killed.
And for some reason, despite their history, Evie believed the threat to be very, very real.
So, she’d showered, done her makeup and hair with the items Landy had so generously provided, and then she’d gotten dressed in the gown he’d had boated in for the special occasion.
This must be what it feels like to take that final long walk as a prisoner leaving death row.
It was a macabre thought, and one that would no doubt be offensive to some. But as far as Evie was concerned, if this happened—if she didn’t find a way to escape her most recent nightmare—then her life may as well be coming to an end.
There was a monster on his way here this very moment. One who fully believed women like her existed solely for his sick and twisted pleasure.
So yeah, if Landy handed her over to someone like that, Evie may not be killed. But she’d be as good as dead inside.
Please, don’t let this happen.
She silently pleaded with God as she slowly made her way up the stairs. This couldn’t be her future. Not when she had another one all planned out.
A future filled with love and laughter and joy. One she’d dreamed about every night since Beckett came into her life.
But now that future was about to disappear. Stolen from her by a man she’d considered part of her family. But that family was nothing more than a farce. A smokescreen of wealth and prosperity built on a foundation of lies.
The man behind her had been a part of it all along. Unfortunately, Evie had been too blinded by the need for some semblance of familial love to notice. Now Landy was leading her to a life worse than death, and unless she found the perfect moment to act on a plan she wasn’t sure would even work…
It’s the only way, Evie. You have to at least try. Otherwise, you’ll never see the man you love again.
Tears sprang to her eyes, spilling over her bottom lids. Her mascara was probably streaking down her cheeks, but she didn’t care.
The only thing Evie cared about was the fear of never getting to see Beckett again. And that, more than anything this man—or any other—could ever do, was the one thing she didn’t think she’d survive.
“Watch your step,” Landy offered as they approached the top of the stairs. “Wouldn’t want you to fall.”
As if you give a shit what happens to me.
But Evie did watch her footing, because there was something Landy didn’t know. A secret she’d been keeping hidden since the day before.
She reached down, gathering the gown’s thick, shimmering material to keep from tripping a second time. As she did, Evie inconspicuously ensured the knife she’d stolen from Muscle Man the day before was still secured to her inner thigh.
The night before, after she’d been caught trying to escape, Evie had managed to talk Landy in to letting her use the restroom before being retied to the bed like before. While in there, she’d hidden the weapon for safe keeping.
When he’d forced her to shower a couple hours before, Evie had taken advantage of the opportunity and retrieved the knife from its hiding place under the sink. With the shower concealing her movements, she’d then used the silk thong Landy had sogenerously provided. Using it as a makeshift thigh strap to secure the knife to her inner thigh.