Page 68 of Saving Stella
“Don’t worry, I got ya. Why don’t you get freshened up, and I’ll find you something from the gift shop? I’ll leave it by the bedroom door.”
“Thanks, Jacob.”
Just as he promised, a paper bag with a sweatsuit and T-shirt waited by the door by the time she finished showering. Clean and dressed in fresh clothes, she went out to the living area.
“I’m ready.”
“My car’s in the parking lot, let’s go.”
Stella was glad Jacob was there to guide her, because she honestly didn’t know if she would have been able to get herself home. She was numb all over, while a deep longing left her feeling hollow inside.
I hardly know him.
Still, that longing persisted, like a throbbing wound. As they walked out of the elevator, she thought she heard a sad yowl somewhere in the distance—then realized it was coming from her. The ache bloomed across her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
“Oh crap.” Jacob scrubbed his palm down his face as he abruptly stopped in the middle of the lobby. “I’m turned around. I can’t remember where I parked. This place is humungous.”
“It happens to all of us, don’t worry.” She managed a small chuckle despite the tightness in her chest. “And casinos do it purposefully to keep you in here. Do you remember anything about where you parked?”
His keen eyes scanned the room, then nodded toward the gilded staircase surrounded by multicolored lights. “I definitely went through the casino.”
“Okay, that’s a start. Why don’t we retrace your steps?”
“Right this way, then.”
She followed him onto the gaming floor, where the sights, sounds, and smells immediately assaulted her senses, sending her reeling back. She’d only been inside one of these places a handful of times in her life, but she’d never reacted this way before. It was as if everything was turned up a hundred percent. The dinging and ringing from the slot machines grated at her ears, and the artificial scent they pumped out made her nauseous. A flash from someone’s phone camera made her stagger back. When she regained her balance, Jacob was nowhere in sight.
Oh Lord.
She guessed he had gone ahead to the parking garage—or got himself even more lost. In any case, she figured he’d probably head to the garage at some point, so she walked off in search of the exit, choosing to stay in one direction. At some point, she would find a door leading out somewhere.
Wait … didn’t I pass that slot machine already?
The lights and sounds around her continued to overwhelm her senses, and Stella realized she was turned around. At this hour, the casino wasn’t packed, and rows and rows of slot machines lay ahead and behind her.
That strange sensation—the one that told her she wasn’t alone—crept back again, making the hairs on the back of her neck bristle. A flicker of fear coursed through her.
Run, something from deep within seemed to tell her.
She whirled around—and was met with darkness.
“No!”
Something—a cloth bag—covered her head. After that, everything happened in a flash. She barely felt the zip ties slinging her wrists and ankles together before she was lifted from the ground.
“Let me go!” She kicked and screamed, trying to get away from her attacker, but he was too strong. Her world turned upside down as she was hoisted over his shoulder, fireman style. Her kidnapper let out a low grunt and shuffled her around, then started walking. Terror and anxiety spiked through her veins and paralyzed her.
A low vibration reverberated across her chest.
Comforting.
Encouraging.
The fear remained in her, but it was contained.
Stay calm. Panicking will make it worse.
Her mind quieted down, and she was able to think more. Though she couldn’t see, she had other senses. She tuned out the other sounds around her and heard the deep breathing of her attacker. It sounded different in a way, not like the last time. Also, his shoulders were much smaller. Was it a different guy?