Page 62 of Now You're Mine
I make a face at Hayden. He winks at me. I can’t help but smile before allowing Sebastian to escort me through the building. Once I’m settled in the backseat, I go limp, letting my head fall back against the plush seating. Telling Hayden about my father’s unscrupulous actions was difficult. Not that Hayden has any room to talk after stalking me, but I didn’t want to taint his view of the man who raised me. I can’t stand the idea of Hayden seeing me in the same light.
Thankfully, Sebastian maintains his professional demeanor on the way home, leaving us to sit in silence. Although, I do catch his eyes darting to me in the rearview mirror on occasion. I smile at him once to reassure him that I’m fine before staring blankly out the window. The day’s revelations have left me emotionally drained, and for once, I’m ready to listen to Hayden and stay home to recoup.
The vehicle slows to a stop at a red light when a flash of color catches my eye. It’s a magenta jacket, bright and familiar. The tiny owner of the coat races down the sidewalk.
Completely alone.
Chapter27
Calista
I sit straight up,catching Sebastian’s attention. “What’s wrong, Miss Calista?”
“I know her,” I say, pointing to the child. “Where’s her mother? She’d never leave Erika alone.”
Before Sebastian can react, I throw open the door and sprint across the street. Erika rounds a corner and disappears from sight. My heart lurches in my chest.
I pump my arms at my sides and increase my speed, fueled by adrenaline and fear. As I turn down the alley and skid to a halt. Erika stands fifteen feet from me, her eyes wide with terror. A man dressed entirely in black has one hand clamped over the child’s mouth while the other holds a gun to her head.
“Come with me, or she’s dead,” he says, his voice muffled behind the ski mask.
I slowly raise my hands. “Please don’t hurt her. If you let her go, I’ll do anything you want.”
“Get your ass over here,” the man says.
“Everything is going to be okay, Erika. Just stay calm.”
She nods at me. Tears spill down the girl’s cheeks, making my heart twist inside my chest. Once I’m standing next to the stranger, he pushes the child away, forcing her to the pavement. He grabs my upper arm and digs the nozzle of the pistol into my side.
“Move.”
“Okay,” I say quietly, putting on a calm facade for Erika. She watches me from the concrete as she slowly gets to her feet. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Calista.” She sniffs. “He told me my mommy was here.”
“It’s going to be all right. I’m sure she’s looking for you. Find a police officer to help you, alright?”
I watch her hesitate before she bolts. The man takes a step, pulling me along while keeping his firearm pressed against my ribcage. My heart thumps so loudly it drowns out the sounds of the city around us and I can’t do anything except focus on that, willing the organ to not give out.
Until I hear my name.
Sebastian shouts my name for a second time and appears at the entrance of the alleyway like an avenging angel, his weapon drawn. The expression of ire on his face shifts into something ferocious when it lands on the man holding me captive.
“Let her go,” he says, the demand echoing in the tight space between the buildings.
The stranger scoffs. “Fuck off.” The man shoves me to the side and takes up a stance behind me, with the nozzle now digging into my spine. When Sebastian doesn’t react, the man raises his voice. “I said, back the fuck off. If you don’t, I’ll kill her.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “No, you won’t. Someone paid you to take her alive. If not, you’d already have shot her.”
“You’re right,” the man says.
My captive adjusts the firearm from my back to the space between my arm and body. I scream when the gun goes off. Sebastian shouts in pain and throws himself behind a dumpster lining the brick wall. But not before I catch the blood spreading across his abdomen.
As soon as my bodyguard disappears from sight, the shooter yanks me backwards, leading me deeper into the alley. I struggle against his hold, yelling and kicking until he slaps me on the side of the head with his pistol.
Stars light up my vision, blurring everything in front of me. I close my eyes and concentrate on not throwing up from the onslaught of pain. My captor grips me just underneath my armpits and drags me.
My inner fortitude screams at me to fight. Once I’m taken away, my chances of survival decrease drastically. With a burst of desperation, I lean down and bite the man’s wrist. He grunts in pain, loosening his grip. I plant my feet and wrench free, every part of me focused on escape.