Chapter 2 Sarah

"Hmm."

I saw the world again in a blur. Despite my heavy eyelids, I forced them open. Everything seemed to reverberate, and I could only dimly make out a faint dripping sound.

When I finally woke up, I saw that it was getting dark. utterly dark.

Where the hell was I?

My recollection of being kidnapped returned to me. I strained and made an instant attempt to stand up, but something rough scraped at my back and arms. Glancing down, I saw that my arms were restrained by the low lights. I started to panic.

What on earth was happening?

Who was it that had stolen me? How could they possibly harm me?

I became more and more aware that I was in an empty place as I grew used to the sight. It was unable to pinpoint my exact location right now. The quiet slammed against my heart. On the way back home, I thought back on the memories, and I just couldn't stand it yet. I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. I didn't even get to see who abducted me, holy crap.

It was then that I remembered Bailey's incessant warnings about being safe. I squeezed my eyes shut to prevent myself from crying.

The moment I heard a loud metallic sound and footsteps, my heart almost leaped out of my body. I sprinted into the shadows and saw two approaching shadows.

I was unable to see their faces, not even up close. The instant they halted a few inches from me, I stiffened.

"Who are you?" "What do you want?" I trembled, unable to control myself.

A harsh voice said, "Shut up. We're the ones asking questions."

I took a sharp breath to try to relax myself, but it didn't help.

What more could they ask for from -

"Ethan Graves, where are you?"

My breathing became laboured. It takes a second to process that name. My fiancée's name.

What made them want to find him? Why?

"I'm not sure." When I gave an honest response, I was so taken aback and perplexed that I was unaware of it.

Well, what else could I say? It was the truth.

My ears were pierced by laughs. They included no humour at all. Before I knew what to do, one of them moved in closer, his mask becoming more noticeable.

We have two options: the simple way or the difficult way. You wouldn't want us to damage that attractive face, I'm sure. He complained,

Instinctively, I cringed.

"I am being truthful." I merely said that so that a severe grip might firmly crush my cheeks.

He asked, "You want to keep acting stupid?" and I threw my head back. My neck ached from the discomfort.

Sarah, please don't weep. I kept saying to myself, "Don't cry," but it didn't feel helpful.

It was just too much. I had recently been left behind, devastated, and now I was kidnapped under threat of torture? Why?

Will you now start talking? Says one of the males. That was my last straw.

"What on earth are you expecting me to tell you?" "I don't know where the hell he is," I cried out. A few days ago, he abandoned me and left me with nothing except an idiotic note! From me, what do you want?

I was unable to contain it any longer. My whimpers and cries filled the room. It was very embarrassing that these folks thought this of me.

"The difficult route is the-"

"Cease." Suddenly, a whole new voice could be heard.

"The boss is eager to see her in person."

A beat skipped in my heart. What was happening?

I stiffened as soon as the men approached, but instead of doing anything inappropriate, they undid the ropes that were securing me. I was so happy to be free that my arms hurt, but I didn't have time to enjoy it before I was pulled to my feet and taken away.

I was hardly aware that I was truly in a cellar when they carried me upward. Once we were outside and walking through the corridors, I flinched at the dazzling lights. The skinny man in front led me.

I stopped right away when they stopped. The man turned to face me as he opened the door.

He said, "Go."

I was let loose by the men next to me. I cautiously staggered forward, doing as he said. As soon as I walked in, the door shut behind me, but my attention had already moved.

The man facing me from behind the desk.

I looked away and stood motionless, surreptitiously mopping my tears. Something ignited in my head as I faced him once more.

I knew who he was, but how? I rummaged through my memories, but they were all hazy.

"Take a seat." His rich, deep voice rang forth. I shifted as I sat and did so. Upon closer inspection, it finally dawned on me. I could still recognise it even in my fog.

That look.

It was the nightclub guy.

Sorry about how you were treated, Cara. My men are sometimes rude. He stated. I felt uneasy as the deep rumbled through me. I shifted on the chair in an attempt to cover my eyes.

"What am I doing wrong?" I talked in a raw voice. I had no time for phoney sentiments.

"You are aware of the reason already. That's why I brought you here. He leaned forward and said,

"Ethan," I said, eavesdropping. My brain whirled with correlation. Was it merely a coincidence that he was there? What made him search for Ethan?

To begin with, who was he?

He reclined in his chair at the corner where I could see him.

He said, "If you can tell me where your fiance is, I'll lead you on your merry way. Silence won't do you any good." He uttered,

"I don't even know who you are." Without thinking, I lost my temper. He hummed before the regret could set in.

It's true that not everyone, even your fiance, gets to see my face. I still keep my word, though.

"What are your desires with him?" I enquired,

"Are you the one asking questions or am I?" His light-hearted tone didn't make me feel any less cold. My lips were pursed. He sighed after a few seconds.

"It's my job to know where he is, isn't that right?" He uttered,

That's what made me decide to check. Worker?

The words "You aren't his boss" escaped my mouth before I could process them.

"I know him; I had a conversation with him yesterday. You are not him.

Ethan was a guard for a security company. I had gone to the aforementioned workplace to enquire, but I was promptly dismissed. Since I didn't know his coworkers well, I made unsuccessful attempts to find out.

His brows knitted for a brief while, and a taut feeling enveloped me, making me feel constricted.

"And to whom did you speak, Cara?" His eyes blazed as he questioned.

Once more, with that accursed moniker.

My pulse raced as I whispered the name I knew by heart, hoping for his response. He burst out laughing.

"You believed he was employed by security?" He questioned, stressing the word as though it were the most absurd thing he had ever heard.

He was making fun of me. My mouth tightened in frustration, but I was too stunned to speak again.

He shook his head and stopped laughing.

"Not at all. He was employed by me.

His remarks struck me as a blow.

"I should have introduced myself. Please pardon my mistake, Cara. He raised his hand and spoke.

Dominic Caruso. Glad to have met you