I say, talking to myself.
“Because I’m an excellent kisser and you’re a man. You only think with your cock.”
I shake my head. “You’re a huntress whose main strategy is to attract her prey with honey and lure them into her trap. I’m no prey. You can’t trap me, and we already know you are incapable of killing me.”
“I killed Siren.”
I grit my teeth and fist my hands. She’s trying to goad me. To knock me off-balance so when I leave this room, I won’t be on my game. I’ll be thinking of killing Liesel instead of focusing on my task.
“Siren isn’t dead.”
“You don’t know that.” She smirks.
“I know that if she is, you’re a dead woman.”
“I’m a dead woman either way.”
The way she says it with such a softness and certainty hits me to my bones. She’s right, but I didn’t expect her to surrender to that truth so soon. I expected more of a fight from her, but maybe killing Waylon did that to her.
“Stay here and use that gun on anyone who tries to get through the door.”
Then I open the door and quickly shut it behind me, before keying in a code that puts the whole ship into emergency lockdown. It will keep Liesel safe. I just don’t know if she’ll ever let me back into that room when the danger has cleared.
I listen carefully, trying to get hints of who and how many attackers are onboard. I don’t hear any footsteps, but I do hear a loud banging sound from upstairs, like someone is banging on a door trying to get in.
I crack my neck. After my conversation and kiss with Liesel, I need an excuse to kill someone. It will help get out some of my rage.
I pull out my phone to check the security feed, but no one shows up on any of the cameras.
I frown; whoever is attacking knows how to hack into my security system to make themselves invisible. That’s not an easy feat. Not impossible, but not easy.
The assailants are more skilled than I first thought. But why are they so brazen to make loud noises? It’s almost like they are drawing me out on purpose.
I consider turning back and checking on Liesel, but I don’t want her to win. I don’t want her to know I have a single feeling for her other than hatred.
Plus, Liesel is completely safe locked in the bedroom.
I head upstairs slowly, even though I want to rush in and start shooting. I want to get my adrenaline pumping. I have to be smart if I’m outnumbered, though.
I inch forward room through room, floor through floor, but I find no one. I reach the top deck, thinking I may have imagined the threat.
I look around the top deck and find no one.
I sigh.
Maybe I’m just being paranoid?
I turn to head back down with my gun at my side when I feel something sharp hit my neck.
I reach back, and I feel a dart in my neck. I yank it out, but whatever drug that was just pushed into my system works quickly. My legs weaken, my heart races, and my eyes spin.
I turn my head, trying to get a look at my attacker, but all I see is the darkness, the moon, the stars. I don’t see anyone.
And then I collapse.
8
Liesel
My head pounds as I open my eyes, and I know things are very, very wrong.
A chill hits my spine despite me still wearing Langston’s leather jacket. There must be a hole in the back, letting cool air in.
I blink several times, and then I lift my hand to my head to try and soothe the pounding headache. That’s when I feel the weight of chains on my wrists. I look around the room to assess the danger, although I see nothing but darkness.
I’m no longer in the safety of Langston’s yacht.
I’ve been taken.
Did Langston do this? Is this the place he was taking me to get answers out of me?
It must be.
I take a deep inhale, but all I smell is sweat and blood. I try to examine myself, but I don’t see any signs of injury, so I don’t know where the blood smell is coming from.
There is a quiet drip of water hitting the stone floor. It’s the only sound. I don’t hear anything or anyone else.
I’m in a prison by myself. I should be thankful I’m no longer on the yacht, that Langston did what I asked and moved me to a