Throne of Truth

With my face wedged against the ground, I had a perfect view of Greg’s black loafers as he squatted over me. “Well, that’s one success. You’re out of the car.” He nudged me with his toe. “Now, get up.”

I squirmed, wincing as every joint and ligament squealed in pain. My spine hated the way my legs pretzeled above while my shoulders slam-dunked into the earth.

Terror sprouted like weeds in my veins as Greg took a step back. I tensed for a kick or reprimand, but he placed his hands on his hips, waiting.

If I’d climbed out like he’d asked ten minutes ago, I could’ve avoided the shrapnel to my cheek and the new contusions to my body.

You were stupid, Elle.

Was it wise to refuse everything out of principle or obey to save my strength?

I knew the answer even though I hated it.

Doing my best to stifle my moan, I slowly unhooked my ankles from the Porsche and wiggled forward to give my legs room to drop down. Slowly, achingly, I figured out how to slide sideways and push off the ground with my hands behind my back—granting just enough leverage to sit upright.

It took a while, but the moment I sat up, Greg clapped condescendingly. “Finally, you listen to the boss.”

I spat out a mouthful of acrid dust. “You’re not my boss.”

“Wrong, Elle. I am. You’ve been in charge for far too fucking long. Things are gonna be different now.”

I clamped my lips together. I wouldn’t antagonize him further. He was delusional. There was nothing I could say to a crazy person. Let him think he was my commander. I’d correct him when he was in jail.

We held a staring war like children until I cocked my chin and ignored him.

He didn’t speak as I navigated my sore body into movement.

It took a few minutes to figure out how to shuffle my legs beneath me and push off on numb tingling feet to trade driveway for standing, but I managed.

The second I succeeded, Greg captured my elbow. “About time you got up.” Pulling me toward a large cabin resting on the boundary of a dense forest, he added, “Wasting my time, Elle. Gonna pay for that.”

“You could’ve helped me. Better yet, you could take me home.”

He chuckled. “Funny girl.”

The cabin reeked of disappearing CEOs and illegal activity. In any other situation, the cute windows with yellow and brown trim would’ve made any guest feel welcome. In this situation—when I’d been stolen against my will—it was a coffin I had no desire to enter.

Every inch of me did not (with a thousand did nots) want to go into that place. But I was tired, hungry, and emotionally wrung dry. My head still throbbed from his punch at my apartment, and my heart still panged for the lies Penn had told. The glittery blue of my sapphire star dangled in my mind, destroying Penn’s fibs over and over again.

Where had that necklace come from?

Was it true Penn was Baseball Cap or Adidas?

Regardless of the truth, I knew one thing for sure.

All men are assholes.

And unless my father or David could figure out where Greg had taken me, I was on my own.

I glanced out of the corner of my eye at Greg and his pompous face. Everything about him irritated me to the point of sheer rage.

He’s a moron.

A moron who can kill me with no one here to stop him.

Despite running from Penn and cursing him forever, I wouldn’t be opposed to him hunting and freeing me. He was the lesser of the two evils tonight.

Climbing the porch steps, our footsteps echoed on a stained wooden deck, weathered with a stylish décor.

Greg let me go, fumbling in his pockets for a key.

I didn’t run off or try to bolt into the forest.

My hands were still tied, and I had no idea where I was. I’d never been good at hikes in school and would rather deal with Greg than a bear in the wilderness while incapacitated.

I kept my voice icy. “Where are we?”

Greg grinned as he slotted a key into the antique looking lock. “My father’s cabin.”

I vaguely remembered Steve bragging about buying a vacation place before I took over Belle Elle. He and Dad had gone away for a weekend to do manly things.

I hadn’t asked what those manly things had entailed.

It’s true. He is a moron.

I blinked, forcing myself not to roll my eyes at Greg’s stupidity.

He’d kidnapped me and taken me to a location that his father knew about.

I wanted to thank the nonexistent stars.

Bless him for his small brain. It would only be a matter of time before the cavalry came for me.

I kept my conclusions to myself, nodding respectfully as Greg opened the door and held it wide for me to enter. He followed, leaving me standing in the foyer as he turned on lights to reveal wooden walls, cathedral ceilings, and timber flooring.

It wasn’t called a log cabin for nothing—every single inch, including the kitchen counter, was made out of sacrificed trees.

It was wood overload with a plaid couch, rustic dining room table, and a window seat that could fit ten children more inclined to read than explore the sinister forest waving its shadowy branches by the windows.

The place was big with hallways leading off to bedrooms and a second lounge down a few steps with a giant log fireplace.

Greg shrugged off his blazer, throwing it haphazardly on the back of the couch. He smiled. “Come here.”

I wanted to kick him in the balls, but slowly, I inched closer.

Once I was standing in front of him, he spun his finger in the air. “Turn around.”