Abigail is gone…

Gone.

I don’t know how much time has passed since I was at the school and since Johnathan brought me home, but it’s too much. It’s been too long.

“Have you heard anything?” I ask Johnathan, desperate for any news when he walks into the living room from the kitchen.

His eyes drop to my wringing hands and then slowly slide back up to my face.

With a frown he shakes his head. “Not yet, but they’re working on it.”

He settles his big body on the couch and pulls out his phone.

I have the strongest urge to scream. To pick something up and fucking break it.

Instead, I pace in front of the TV. Now that the shock has worn off and my head has cleared, I feel like I’m going crazy with inaction.

I need to do something. I need to get Abigail back. I just can’t sit here, waiting for things to play out on their own.

Ivan has my little girl and I want to fucking kill him.

Ten more minutes pass. I pace and pace until Johnathan’s phone rings. Whirling around on him, I watch him intently as he answers.

“Yeah?” he says into the phone.

I wish I could hear whatever is being said on the other end.

He grunts.

And grunts some more.

What a fucking Neanderthal!

“Okay,” he finally says.

There’s another grunt and he hangs up.

I stare at him. He seems completely oblivious to it.

“Well?” I snap, and tap my thigh impatiently. “Any news?”

His eyes jump up to me in surprise. “Not yet.”

I throw my hands up in the air. I’m so frustrated I could fucking cry.

I stomp out of the living room and head into the kitchen to get away from Johnathan before I throw something at him.

Why would Ivan take Abigail? Why? The only reason I can think of is to get to me… But why go through all this trouble to do that?

I stop pacing and lean against the kitchen counter. Thinking.

When has anything Ivan’s done in regards to me ever made sense? He’s fucking obsessed with me and sick.

He could have taken Lucifer’s daughter, he could have used her as a bargaining chip, but no, he took Abigail. Why?

Because he knows I’d do anything to get her back.

I can just sit here, waiting for the men to handle it. I trust Andrew, but I know Ivan. And knowing that Abigail is with him, unprotected…

Fuck. I need to contact him. I need a phone.

I don’t think Johnathan will just give me his though if I ask for it.

Spinning around, my eyes scan the kitchen, looking for something to use to persuade Johnathan to let me use his phone.

Booze? No, that would take too long.

A knife? No, too messy…

A rolling stick? Not heavy enough.

I pick up the cast iron skillet, weighing it in my hand, then I swipe the dishes off the counter.

They crash to the floor.

“Amy? Are you okay?” Johnathan calls out, and I hear his heavy footsteps as he comes running to the kitchen to check on me.

When he appears in the doorway, I take a deep breath then swing the skillet at his head. It connects with his temple and the pan thrums in my hand.

Johnathan just stares at me, his eyes wide and confused.

“The fuck?” he slurs.

I swing at his head again and connect. This time he sways on his feet, his eyes rolling up as he collapses.

I jump back to avoid being taken down with him.

Opening my hand, I allow the skillet fall to the floor then I squat down and check him for a pulse. I find it in his neck. Steady and strong.

Good, I didn’t accidentally kill him.

I check his pockets, pulling out his phone, keys, and wallet. Then I straighten and run out of the kitchen.

I run for the garage, figuring I should leave before Johnathan wakes up to stop me. I’ll take his car, call Ivan and try to sweet talk Ivan into giving me back Abigail. I know from experience if I can placate Ivan even a little bit he usually forgives me for anything I’ve done.

I’m halfway to the Expedition when I remember Ivan’s diamond necklace. Maybe if I wear it, I’ll be able to better convince him…

Spinning on my heel, I run back into the house and up the stairs. I find the necklace right where I left it, under Abigail’s pillow.

Running back downstairs, I’m panting heavy from rushing. Still, over the sound of my own heavy breathing, I can hear Johnathan groaning as he starts to come to in the kitchen.

Shit.

I run into the garage and hit the button for the door. I only allow it to roll halfway up before I’m crawling under it.

I run to Expedition parked in the driveway, jump in and shift it into reverse.

Johnathan appears as the garage door slides up completely.

“Amy!” he bellows, and then clutches his head as if he’s in pain. “Fuck! Stop!”

I jam the button to lock the doors then hit the gas. I squeal out of the driveway, fishtailing and nearly taking out the mailbox before I hit the brakes.

Johnathan comes running out of the garage and I yank the shifter into drive. He chases after me, waving his arms in the air and cursing.

But I don’t stop. I can’t stop.

Abigail needs me.

I drive like a madwoman. Ignoring stop signs and the speed limit.

I wait until I’m pulling out of the neighborhood before I dial Ivan. Punching his number into the phone, I hold my breath, and nearly jump out of my skin when the ringing comes through the speakers.

“Hello?” Ivan answers, sounding irritated.

“Ivan?” I say tentatively, unsure of his reaction.

“Myshka?” Ivan breathes in surprise. “Is that you?”

“Yes!” I choke out, relieved that he picked up. I don’t know what I would have done if I couldn’t get in touch with him.

“Where are you?” he asks. “Who are you with?”

“I don’t know where I am,” I answer him honestly.

None of the streets look familiar to me. I’ve never been on this side of the city before. This is a newer subdivision that looks like it just popped up. Everything is new—the disturbed dirt, the paint on the streets, and the traffic signs. There’s even a little shopping center that matches the design of the houses.

“Who’s with you?”

“No one. I got away. Someone—”

“Ah, little one, you did well. Do you have a GPS?”

“Yes. I’m pretty sure the phone does. Ivan, someone took—”

“Good. Good,” Ivan purrs. “I’m going to give you an address. I want you to meet me at the address.”

“Okay,” I agree, a little frustrated he keeps cutting

me off.

I pull into the parking lot of the shopping center.

Ivan rattles off an address and I punch it into the phone. The GPS gives me a route and an estimated arrival of fifteen minutes.

“Do you have it, myshka?”

“Yes, I think I know how to get there…”

“If you have any trouble, call me,” he says firmly.

“I will,” I state and then take a deep breath.

I know he has her, I know it, yet… what if he doesn’t?

“Ivan,” I exhale. “Someone took Abigail.”

“I know.”

I wait a moment, expecting him to say more. When he doesn’t, I ask. “Did you?”

“We’ll discuss it when you get here.”

There’s a little click and I stare at the display screen.

Is that it? Is that all he’s going to say on the matter?! I push a couple of buttons but nothing happens.

The line dead, the car switches over to the radio. Heavy metal music starts blaring. I scream and pound my hands against the steering wheel.

That fucker, I know he has her. Why didn’t he just say it?

I scream once more and then turn off the music.

Getting myself under control, I focus on the plan. I need to keep my shit together if we’re going to make it through this.

I’m going to meet Ivan and convince him I’ve been held against my will so he won’t hurt Abigail. He’ll be angry, of course, but I’ve dealt with his anger before...

If I’m smart, he won’t kill me, he’ll just knock me around a bit.

With the plan in my head, I throw a glance over my shoulder and reverse out of the spot. The GPS starts spitting out directions to me once I’m back on the main road.

I’m five minutes into the drive when Johnathan’s phone starts ringing. I almost answer it out of habit and glance at the screen.

The words—Andrew calling—nearly give me a heart attack.

I’m so not answering that.

The phone rings and rings. It stops for a moment only to start ringing again.

Shit.

Andrew tries to call three more times before the phone falls silent.

I can’t talk to him; I can’t give him the chance to stop me.

I’m going to get Abigail back.

I push the gas a little harder and check the rear-view mirror. It’s not possible but I’ve got the strangest feeling that Andrew is somewhere behind me, following me.

I run through the next red light.

The phone starts ringing again. This time when I glance at the screen it reads—Lucifer calling.

Oh fuck no. I’m not stopping now.

I blow through the next two lights, narrowly avoiding an accident. Thankfully, I get lucky with the next light and then I’m turning onto the street where I’m supposed to meet Ivan.

The GPS leads me behind a strip mall. There’s only one other car back here, parked beside the dumpster. I pull up and park beside it.

The car is a sleek, shiny black and the windows are so dark I can’t see through them. I stare and stare, then suddenly remember I didn’t put the necklace on. I’m scrambling to get it clasped behind my neck when there’s a slight rapping on my window.

“Unlock the door,” a muffled voice says.

I hesitate for only a second before hitting the button.

The lock pops up and my door is immediately pulled open. Before I can grab the phone a black-gloved hand reaches in and grabs my hands. My seatbelt is unsnapped and then I’m yanked out of the car.

I hit the pavement, dropping to my knees, and then I’m yanked back up. I’m half-dragged, half-pushed to the other car by two strange men clad in all black.

“Where’s Ivan?” I ask frantically, afraid I’ve made a big mistake. Is this a trap?

“Don’t worry, myshka, I’m right here,” Ivan purrs from inside the car.

I’m shoved through the back door and nearly fall onto Ivan’s lap.

The car door shuts behind me.