Stay(31)

Jackson straightened up when the engine revved, and we made our way down the long driveway. Jackson wiped sweat from his forehead, pushing his long hair back behind his ears. My eyes darted past him to the mailbox, trying to see the address of this forsaken place. I leaned forward to get a better look.

"Like what you see?" Zane snickered.#p#分页标题#e#

"What?" I replied automatically. "Oh." He thought I was checking out Jackson, who was surprisingly fit and tan. I gave my head a slight shake, not caring what Zane thought. I leaned back in the seat and nervously picked at my cuticles, trying to pay as much attention as possible to the landmarks and street names that we passed as we made our way into the city. I would need to know them when I sent the police to save the other girls.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





THE SKIN AROUND my fingernails was almost raw by the time Zane pulled into the back lot of an apartment complex that looked like it had seen its prime thirty years ago. People milled about, soaking up the hot, July sun. The sight of anyone other than my forced roommates caused hope to blossom in my heart. A smile subconsciously tugged at the corners of my lips, and I just knew someone would be able to help me. I put my hand on the door handle, reminding myself not to appear excited, or Zane would get suspicious.

"Oh, Adeline," he said, his voice calm and low. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. "Does your dad ever take the Chevelle out of the garage? A nice classic like that deserves to be showed off."

A painful chill ran through my body. "H-how?" I stuttered, my head slowly shaking from side to side.

Zane flashed me a perfect smile, revealing his straight, white teeth. He cut the engine and hit the lock. My breath quickened as panic rose. My dad hadn't taken the '72 Chevelle out of the garage in years. He couldn't, since it didn't have an engine. It was his project that was put on the back burner when he and my mother opened the new gallery. I was falling again, faster and faster, until I plummeted into darkness. My ears rang. I swayed in my seat, suddenly lightheaded. There was only one way Zane would have known about the car.

"It's a shame your mom neglected her rose bushes this summer. They must really miss you." His face remained expressionless, but there was pleasure in his eyes. He was enjoying every minute of this.

"You … you've been to my house," I finally said. The ringing got louder.

Zane's blue eyes flashed and he smiled once more. "Your sister … what's her name … Arianna, right? She's pretty. She looks a lot like you but with gold highlights. You almost can't see them. But when the sun hits her just the right way, they sparkle."

Anger shot through me at the sound of my sister’s name. I twisted in my seat, my fingers curling into fists. “If you touch her—"

"You'll what?" Zane cut me off. "Hit me? Spit on me?" he laughed. "I won't have to touch her if you behave," he reminded me. "It's funny how fast I can get someone to your house.”

"What?" I spoke, my voice barely louder than a whisper. No. He was lying. He had to be lying.

He laughed, deep and throaty, reminding me of a wild animal. "You think it's just us?" He leaned in close so that he was only inches away from me. “Nate’s well connected. Don’t you ever forget that. Fuck up once and all it will take is one phone call.” He bit his lip and smiled. His teeth were perfectly straight and unnaturally white. “We own you, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

He laughed, his breath hot on my face. He pushed my hair back behind my ear and trailed his fingers down my neck and across my chest. “Just be a good girl, Adeline,” he whispered. “And you’ll have nothing to worry about. Listen to me and no one gets hurt.” He tipped his head to the side and softened his face. He held my gaze, waiting for me to break and agree with him, to beg him not to hurt my family.#p#分页标题#e#

Instead, I slapped him.

It flipped a switch. Zane moved so fast that it was just a blur. He dove over the center console and grabbed my shoulders. He shoved me back against the seat. Black storm clouds covered his sky-blue eyes. Psychotic rage twisted his face into something horrible.

Then he stopped. With a snarl he pulled back and looked outside. The windows were tinted, but if anyone was close enough, they could see the exchange, and that would call attention to us. Maybe I should slap Zane again.

He jerked his body back and threw open the door. He stiffly exited the car. I let out a breath, my hands flying to my chest. Holy shit. Zane opened my door, still huffing. He reached into the car and wrapped his fingers around my wrist. My skin prickled under his touch. I yanked my arm back, half expecting to see my flesh charred and black from his touch. He grabbed me with his other hand and yanked me out.