Chapter 77 Captive

Chapter 77 Captive
Anna's POV

My head felt like someone had split it open with an axe. I groaned softly as consciousness slowly returned.

The first thing I remembered was Lucas.
The wine. The conversation. Then everything else went dark.

My eyes fluttered open. For a few seconds, everything was blurry.

I blinked repeatedly, trying to clear my vision.
That was when I realized something was wrong.

I couldn't move. My arms were tied behind a chair. My ankles were bound tightly together.

A surge of panic shot through me. I immediately struggled against the ropes, but they only dug deeper into my skin. "What the hell..."

I stopped moving and forced myself to breathe.
Panic wouldn't help. I slowly lifted my head and studied my surroundings.

The room was unfamiliar: Bare concrete walls. One dirty window. A metal table. A single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

I had never been here before. Then my eyes landed on someone sitting quietly in a corner.

Eve! She was calmly watching me. Her arms were folded across her chest. A faint smile rested on her lips. "Finally awake," she said.

My eyebrows furrowed. "Eve?"

She tilted her head."I was beginning to wonder when you were going to wake up."

I stared at her. "What is this?" Eve remained silent, she just looked unreadable.

I pulled against the ropes again. "Why am I tied up?"

Her expression didn't change. "Lucas is the reason you're tied up."

I immediately shook my head. "That's a lie."

She raised an eyebrow. "You sound very sure."

"Because I know it's a lie."

Eve chuckled. I continued. "You kidnapped me."

The smile on her face widened. "Think about it, Anna. Why would I lie on Lucas?"

I stared at her without answering. She stood up and slowly approached me. "Trust me when I say Lucas helped me."

My stomach tightened. "No."

Eve shrugged. "He is the reason you're here, the wine he gave you, was drugged."

I laughed bitterly. "Drop the bullshit."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

I continued. "I know what you are."

"Oh! Really?"

"You're a spy." The amusement returned immediately. "You work for Zack."

For a moment she simply stared at me. Then she laughed. A genuine laugh. "Wow, I'm impressed." She shook her head. "You're smarter than the average person."

I didn't smile. "This doesn't have to end badly."

Eve folded her arms. "Really?"

"Yes." She seemed entertained. I continued. "It's not too late to back out."

"Back out?"

"Zack isn't worth it."

Eve chuckled again. "You keep surprising me." I frowned.

"I expected you to beg for your life, not to negotiate mine." I didn't answer.

Instead I said quietly, "Eve, you're not a bad person."

Something flickered briefly in her eyes. Then disappeared. "You shouldn't do this," I uttered.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, Anna." She sounded sincere. Almost guilty. "But I can't back out."

I swallowed. "Why not?"

"Because if I let you go, Zack hunts me." She paused. "And Xavier is not going to forgive me, so he would hunt me too."

I looked away. That part was probably true.

Eve poured herself a glass of wine. "So handing you over to Zack is my safest option."

I leaned back against the chair. Pretending to accept my situation. But my mind was racing.

If Zack was really coming... Then maybe this wasn't entirely bad. Maybe I could finally get close enough to kill him. The thought settled in my mind.

Then the room suddenly filled with the sound of a ringing phone. Eve smiled. "Speak of the devil."

My heart skipped. She glanced at the screen. "It's Zack."

I immediately became alert. Eve answered and placed the call on speaker. "Boss."

Zack's voice echoed through the room. "Do you have her?"

"Yes boss."

"Good, show me pictures for confirmation."

Eve lifted her phone and pointed it at me. It flashed, making me blink. I turned my face away. "Eve—"

"Smile for the camera," she said mockingly. She took several pictures. Then recorded a short video.

I sat there silently, I saw her send the pictures to Xack.

A few seconds later Zack chuckled through the speaker. The sound made my skin crawl. "Excellent."

Eve smiled. "I knew you'd be pleased."

"I am." His voice deepened. "I'm on my way personally."

A chill ran down my spine. Personally? Very good.

While Eve focused on her phone, I slowly began working on the rope behind my back. Years of training had taught me tricks most people never imagined.

I twisted my wrist, ignoring the pain. Then twisted again.

Slowly, carefully. The rope loosened slightly.

Eve looked up suddenly. I froze.

She narrowed her eyes. Then looked back at her phone.

I silently released the breath I'd been holding.
Zack was still talking. "Keep her till I come and don't let anyone in." The call ended.

Eve poured herself more wine. Then looked at me. "Do you know what Zack plans to do with you?"

I shrugged. "He wants to use me to get to Xavier."

"That's part of it."

I continued working on the rope. Millimeter by millimeter. "What do you mean?"

Eve took a sip. "Zack has a grudge against you."

I looked up. "A grudge?"

She nodded. "You shot him."

I smiled slightly. "He survived."

"That's not the point." Eve's expression hardened. "You made him look weak, you almost killed him."

The smile disappeared from my face. I kept distracting her. Kept asking questions. Kept talking.

All while the rope loosened further. Eve sighed suddenly. "You know..."

I looked at her. "I actually like you." I didn't respond.

She looked genuinely regretful. "You're a cool person, Anna." Then she shook her head. "But it is what it is."

My hand finally slipped free. Victory surged through me.

I kept my arm hidden behind the chair. Not letting her see.

Eve's eyes suddenly widened. The smile vanished. Her gaze dropped behind the chair, straight to my freed hand.

The room became silent. Our eyes locked. For one long second nobody moved.

Then Eve cursed. "Shit." Her hand shot toward her waist and brought out a gun.

I moved at the exact same time. Eve raised the weapon. And fired straight at me.