Marley

My head throbs relentlessly as I pry my eyes open, my mind still skating the line between lucidity and unconsciousness. Darkness engulfs the room, the only light coming from beneath the door. I attempt to sit up but quickly discover my hands are secured to the bedposts with handcuffs. I jerk it several times, panic causing my throat to restrict my airway. I take several breaths, trying to calm down so I can recall what happened before I blacked out but my mind is nothing but a fog. Tears leak from the corners of my eyes, slipping down my temples into my hair.

“Lyla,” I croak, but my voice doesn’t sound like my own. It sounds like I’m screaming into a barrel. “Lyla!” I attempt again and this time it’s louder. The sound of footsteps approaching the door has my muscles growing tense. The door swings open but I can’t see the face of the figure standing in the doorway due to the blinding light.

“Steven?” I inquire, but the man remains quiet as he enters the room and shuts the door. My pulse thrums with fear as the figure moves toward me, the dark shadow coming to stand over me. Suddenly, light floods the room when he flicks on the lamp next to the bed and my eyes squeeze closed as they attempt to adjust to the blinding light. I shift away from the figure, desperately trying to open my eyes. Finally, after a few breath-robbing moments, I’m able to focus on the figure before me.

“Who are you?”

He takes a seat in the vacant chair across from me. “My name is Zayne.”

“Where is my daughter? Where is Steven?”

“Your daughter is safe and will remain that way as long as you cooperate.”

His dark eyes are intimidating, not to mention how muscular he is, giving a clear indication of his physical strength.

He pulls a cell phone from the pocket of his shirt and swipes the screen a few times before holding it out in front of my face to show me a video of a man beaten beyond recognition and tied to a chair. He groans in agony as he slowly lifts his head at the darkened figure approaching him.

The man tied to the chair shakes his head, jerking at his bindings, desperate to break free.

“No, please,” the man begs, and I gasp when I realize it’s Steven. The man circles behind him, the glint of a steel knife catching the light hanging above Steven’s head.

Bile rises in my throat as the man grips Steven’s hair and yanks his head back as far as it will go.

“This is what happens when you betray me.”

His eyes bore into the camera before he drags the sharp blade across Steven’s throat. He gurgles as the blood pours from the gaping wound. My stomach rolls with nausea as I turn my head away, wondering what Steven must have done to deserve such a horrible death.

“Your ex-husband was a dishonest man. He stole a lot of fucking money from me and for that he paid a grave price.” He leans in closer, pressing his forearms to the bed. “You will work off his debt and if you don’t, if you defy me or my requests in any way, I will make sure your daughter suffers a far greater death than what you just witnessed. Do you understand?”

I can’t wrap my mind around what is happening. I retch as my body convulses with the terror and shock of what I have just witnessed. I don’t know what this man wants from me or how he expects me to repay Steven’s debts but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my daughter safe.

The man’s hand grips my chin, forcing me to face him.

“Do you understand?”

“Y-y-yes,” I finally manage, my lip trembling. “Just, please, don’t hurt my daughter. I’ll do anything you want.”

His hand reaches out to brush the hair from my forehead and my skin crawls with revulsion as I shy away from his touch.

He reaches into his pocket to retrieve a key, unlocking the handcuffs from my wrists.

“There is a change of clothes in the bathroom. Shower and dress. Then wait for my return.”

I nod, moving to sit up once I’m free. I try to remain calm, knowing Asher is out there somewhere searching for us. I know he won’t rest until we’re safe.

Zayne stands and strides toward the door, giving me one final glance before he leaves. “Don’t do anything stupid. Remember, your daughter’s fate lies solely in your hands.”

Once the door closes behind him, a sob pours from my mouth, the nausea bubbling up uncontrollably. I rush to the bathroom and empty my stomach, praying like hell I don’t do anything to mess this up and we both make it out of this alive. Asher is our only saving grace, I just hope he finds us before it’s too late.