Page 102 of Unmasked

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He leers at me in the rearview mirror. “Love that dress. You look slutty.” His vile laughter fills the vehicle, making me nervous and angry.

I grit my teeth, anger winning out of fear and nervousness. “You won’t get away with this.”

“Why do you think I won’t, my sexy little slut?”

“I’m not yours,” I spit, seeing red from his words. “And I’m not a slut.”

“The way you carry on with your worthless boyfriend, you sure act like one.” He shakes his head, glaring at me through the mirror. “Yet you ran from me. What does he have that I don’t?”

Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “Tattoos and a big dick. Most importantly, he loves and respects me.”

Cole stares at me so long, I’m afraid he’s gonna wreck the car and kill us both.

“Eyes on the road.”

He glances ahead and then back at me. “Oh, Mallory. You’re delusional if you think he loves you.”

I don’t say anything. His attention goes back to the road, and I can breathe again.

“Where is he now, Mallory? He wasn’t with you on your birthday. He was absent at the charity event a couple of weeks ago.”

“He has a job,” I snap.

“A job.” He sneers at me before giving me a pitying look. “That’s what he tells you. Have you been to his house? His apartment? Where does he live, Mallory?”

I purse my lips together, wiggling my wrists together, trying to figure out how to get out of the ropes. I wish Stryker would have told me how he escaped when I had him tied up.

“You’re just his side piece while he keeps his main bitch hidden at home.”Cole’s voice shakes with his rage.

Play him, Mallory. Try to figure out where he’s taking you.

My eyes widen. “H-How do you know that?”

He chuckles. “Oh, Mallory. You’re so preoccupied with him that you haven’t noticed me watching you.” His hands tighten on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. “All fucking semester, you’ve been atmyuniversity and haven’t noticed me.”

His university? He doesn’t own Stone Ridge. He’s the delusional one.

“People will notice I’m gone. My mom and?—”

“Your mom. Who do you think helped me orchestrate this?” His maniacal laughter rings through my ears. The sting of betrayal floods over me, feeling like I’m being stung by thousands of bees.

My mom. How could she do this to me?

“She wanted you away from that tattooed low-life freak. After his proposal, your mom was out of her mind with anger and grief. It took me hours to calm her down.”

My eyes snap to his. “Calm her down? How do you know she was… Oh, God.” I feel nauseous again. “Please don’t tell me you’ve been fucking my mom.”

He smirks at me in the mirror. “Guess I’ll find out which of you is better in bed.”

I lift my bound hands to my mouth, close my eyes, and breathe through my nose, trying to fight the wave of nausea.

Oh, God. Someone help me, please. Get me away from this unhinged monster.

Tears fill my eyes as I look out the window.

Stryker. Please find me.

CHAPTER 65