“Where are you taking me?” I ask, hopeful he’ll actually give me answers.
“To a cabin. You’ll be safe there,” Ty responds.
Safe? There’s nothing safe about this. Hell, this sounds like some twisted witness protection except the person I need protecting from is the one keeping me hostage.
The drive is long, and just as I start to doze off, we slow down and then park. My heartbeat races as the fear of the unknown takes over. I tried to be strong earlier and not let my guard down, almost not believing this was really happening. Though now that the shock is wearing off, my adrenaline is taking over.
I can’t be here.
My sisters and Liam are going to freak the hell out. There’s no way they’ll believe I left.
But if what Victoria said is true, then this will allow Liam to stay focused on doing what she asks. If her father finds out their marriage is a sham and that Liam’s been unfaithful, I don’t even want to think about what Johnny O’Leary would do to him. In some weird, fucked-up way, I think maybe she’s right. I am the reason he’s lost focus in playing along in their messed-up marriage arrangement. He wants out, I know that, but until Victoria releases him, he has to follow her orders and make their relationship believable.
“Ready?” Ty asks after he opens the door. I reach out, and he assists me to my feet.
“Thanks,” I murmur awkwardly.
“You can take off the blindfold as soon as we’re inside,” he informs me as if he knows how frustrated I am.
I hear Eric at the back, grabbing my things, and then the three of us walk some more. A door opens and Ty ushers me in.
“Alright, I’m going to remove your blindfold, but before I do…let’s go over the rules.”
Rules? How about rule number one: don’t kill me.
“There are cameras in every room of the house except the bathrooms. Victoria can see live footage, so I wouldn’t try anything. Eric and I each have a room next to yours. The house will be on lockdown, so even if you stupidly tried to run, you won’t be able to get out without sounding the alarms.”
“And we’re both carrying,” Eric adds roughly. His hoarse voice sends a shiver down my spine and not in a pleasant way.
I swallow hard. “Got it.” I have no idea what they know about me or if they even know why I’m here, but I’m smart enough not to play games around people who could easily end me with one bullet.
Ty steps closer, and his fingers brush my neck before he lifts the cloth over my head. I blink, studying my surroundings.
Well, it’s not the worst place to be held hostage. Victoria was right; this is luxury living. Looks like something she’d own too, which she probably does. This is no small cabin in the woods; this is a mansion in the woods.
My eyes finally land on Ty, and he narrows his gaze, studying my face as if he’s wondering what the hell I’m doing here too.
“You must be Ty,” I say stupidly to break the awkward silence. If I had to guess, he’s probably a few years older than Liam.
He gives me a curt nod.
“I’m Maddie.” Though he probably already knows that.
His lips part, and his throat moves, but he doesn’t say anything else. Almost as if he’s not allowed to.
Eric huffs and walks past us with my backpack and suitcase. “C’mon. I’ll show you to your room.”
As I follow him, I immediately notice how extravagant the place really is when I see large flat-screen TVs, an oversized gas fireplace, a modern kitchen with high tech appliances, and countless fancy chandeliers.
Why would Victoria send me here?
This looks too good to be true.
Then again, Victoria is the queen of mind games.
Chapter Two
LIAM
My heart is lodged in my throat as the anxiety of Maddie being gone violently creeps in. Victoria’s behind this, or she wouldn’t have said what she did.
“I warned you to behave, hubby. But you didn’t listen.” Her words echo in my head, over and over, and the only thing that forces me back to reality is Sophie following us into the living room. All I hear are threats to call the police. Her hand is unsteady as she clenches the note in her fist.
“They can’t do anything if she left willingly,” Victoria states confidently from beside me. Sophie takes two steps forward, looking her up and down. Mason comes in and pulls her away, creating much-needed space between the two, but Victoria isn’t fazed in the least. I’m sure she’s had her fair share of fights, but she’s always won because she plays dirty.
“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Sophie threatens between clenched teeth before she turns to me, seething. “This is your fucking fault.”
“Soph,” Mason says. I’m sure she would’ve clocked me right in the face if he hadn’t stepped between us. Mason manages to temporarily calm her as Victoria announces we need to get going in her sugary-sweet tone that nearly sends me into a rage. My world is spiraling out of control, and all I can do is sit back and watch the clusterfuck unfold before my eyes. I should’ve been more careful. I should’ve pushed Maddie away to keep her safe, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.
“Can’t be late, sweetie.” Victoria grabs my hand and squeezes, but I pull away from her.
“I’ll be right up,” I force out before she raises up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. I can’t even smile this time. Once Victoria is out of sight, Sophie walks over and pushes me with all her strength. I barely lose my footing because I tower over her, but her frustration and anger aren’t lost on me. It’s more than warranted.
“She’s gone, and considering she name-dropped you in this note, I have no choice but to blame you.”
“Soph,” I say softly. “I’m so sorry. I’ll find her.”
She glares at me with disgust before walking away, but Mason stands tall with his arms crossed, studying me. “We can all agree that this isn’t like Maddie, and I have a feeling there’s more to this than what that damn letter said.”
Guilt washes over me, and I nod, agreeing with him. “It’s not in her character. And I’m concerned too, but I promise you, Mason, I will track her down.”
“I know if anyone can find her, it’ll be you,” he tells me. “I hope you weren’t stringing her along somehow because if so, that’s utterly fucked up, Liam, even for you.”
I wish I could spill all my truths to Mason, but I know I can’t. Sophie has accused Maddie of messing around with me already, and she’s overly suspicious, so I can read between the lines. Instead of explaining, I accept his disappointment, which makes me feel like a bigger piece of shit.
Mason gives me one last look before going upstairs to comfort Sophie. I run my fingers through my hair and take a few deep breaths as Victoria sashays into the living room with her designer suitcase behind her.
“Ready to go, hubby?” She grins. I’m two seconds from telling her to go fuck herself, but I fully understand she holds all the cards right now. So instead of setting her off, I go to my room, change clothes, and then grab my bag. Before I meet Victoria downstairs, I knock on Mason’s door, but they don’t answer.