Patrick jerked her away from the car. “Shut up, bitch. You’ve already caused enough trouble.”
I watched in horror as he raised the revolver and hit her in the head with it.
“No!” I screamed as she collapsed to the ground. I tried getting out of the trunk, but he shoved me back inside and slammed it shut. “You asshole! You didn’t have to hurt her!”
“Paybacks are a bitch.” He slapped the trunk and let out a celebratory whooping sound. “It’s just you and me now, Sophia, and… the world is ours.”
“Fuck you.”
“Yeah. That too.” He chuckled. “In time.”
13
Sophia
I heard him get into the car and start the engine. A few seconds later, we were headed down the dirt road and I could feel every bump. Groaning, I closed my eyes and started plotting an escape plan. All I had to do was get him to trust me.
Suddenly, he slammed on the brakes. I heard him get out of the car and then the sounds of two men arguing.
Mitch!
I screamed his name. “I’m in the trunk!”
“Get the fuck away from the car or I’ll shoot you,” Patrick growled.
“Calm down and put the gun down before someone gets hurt,” Mitch replied.
“Fuck it. I don’t have time for this bullshit.”
I heard the gun go off. Horrified, I cried out.
Had he killed him?
“Next time you’ll be at the other end of the bullet. Not your tire,” Patrick snapped.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
“You killed a cop and they won’t stop looking for you. Look, if you let her go, you might still make it out of Summit Lake in one piece. Kidnapping her is going to make things ten times worse.”
He snorted. “Sorry, chump. She’s mine now and I’m not ever letting her go. Now get the fuck away from the car before I put a bullet in your head.”
“Listen—”
“You know, the only reason why I haven’t killed you is because I want you to know what if feels like to lose her. Like I did.”
“You never had her.”
“Because you never gave me a chance, Mr. Big Shot. But soon she’ll realize that we are meant to be together. See, we’re soulmates. You… you were just a distraction.”
“Fine. You’re soulmates. But I can tell you that if you kidnap her, she’ll never trust or love you. That’s definitely not going to win her over.”
“She’ll forgive me. In time. Now back the fuck off!”
“Fine.”
I heard the car door opening, then some swearing, followed by a scuffle.
“Stop fighting!” I called out, deathly afraid of Mitch getting shot. I then heard the sound of the gun going off again and my heart stopped.
“Mitch?” I squeaked.
Nothing.
I kicked at the trunk. “Hello? What’s going on?”
I heard the car door slam shut and then the vehicle began to move. Closing my eyes, I began to sob as I imagined Mitch lying on the road, dead. All I could think about was being in his arms and staring up at his tender smile. I loved him so much and the thought of never seeing him again broke something inside of me. I vowed that whatever it took, I wouldn’t just get away from Patrick, but I’d make him suffer for what he’d done.
14
Patrick
Five Weeks Later
My alarm went off but I was already awake and anxious for what the day would bring. It was my thirty-sixth birthday and Sophia had mentioned a special surprise for me.
I hit the snooze button and closed my eyes, thinking back to the last few weeks. She was finally coming around, which I knew would happen. Still, it was such a relief. I had almost thought that her stubbornness would ruin everything. But it looked like the psychic had been right all along. This woman was definitely the one.
I got out of bed, took a quick shower, and then made breakfast. Sophia loved her eggs over easy and her toast almost burnt. She preferred bacon over sausage and hated cow’s milk but loved almond. She did have a sweet-tooth, which was why I poured her a large glass of orange juice and dropped a couple of chocolate kisses onto the TV tray. I then headed down the hallway to the cellar door, and flipped on the light.
“Rise and shine, beautiful,” I called down as I descended the staircase. We were staying at an old house I’d been renting for the past year, about two hours north of Summit Lake. It was in desperate need of repairs, which was why my rent was so low. Plus, the old broad who owned it never paid any visits. She was in a wheelchair and didn’t get out much.
Before bringing Sophia to the house, I’d installed a giant, makeshift metal holding cell in the basement, which also enclosed a small three-quarter bathroom. I wanted her to be comfortable, so I’d also purchased a nice full-sized pillowtop bed, a thirty-two-inch television, a comfy reading chair, and a bookcase. I remembered how much she loved reading and had filled it with several new releases before she’d arrived. Fortunately, I’d inherited money from a great aunt several years ago, and was able to afford a few luxuries for my girl.
Sophia stood up, yawned, and stretched her arms. She had on an old red T-shirt of mine and a pair of gray boxer shorts. Even with bed-head and no makeup, she was radiantly beautiful. She’d actually lost a few pounds after refusing to eat the first week, but had since gotten back on track. Not only had her appetite returned, but she was making a conscious effort to get herself into better shape—not that I thought she needed to. She’d even started doing pushups and burpees, so her arms and shoulders were toned and lovelier than ever.
“How did you sleep?” I asked, unlocking the cell door.
“Wonderful, thank you. I still can’t believe you bought this bed for little ol’ me.” She sat on the edge and leaned back on her elbows. “You’re so
