Chapter 31 31
Her body finally gave in, sagging against him as her arms curled tightly around his torso. A broken, anguished cry tore from her chest raw with fear and sorrow and it tugged painfully at the walls around his hardened heart. His entire body went rigid at her touch.
What was this feeling?
There was no doubt about it.
A mate bond.
Her small hand fisted in his shirt, clutching the fabric as though he were the only thing keeping her upright. The way she held him with all her strength, with all her desperation made his throat tighten.
He wanted her, there was no denying that.
But this hug… this felt different from the burning desire that always consumed him.
It was something deeper.
Something unfamiliar.
His large hands moved slowly over her back, rubbing in soft, soothing strokes, trying to calm her trembling body. Gradually, she steadied herself. And when she suddenly jolted away, he knew she had realized what she’d done.
She stumbled back a step, staring up at him with wide blue eyes filled with disbelief and horror horrified at herself for seeking comfort in him.
He had expected this reaction.
He knew she would never willingly touch him.
It stung more than he cared to admit.
“Stay in the room,” he said curtly.
And without another word, he turned and walked out.
It took her a second too long to process his command. By the time she rushed after him, there was a sharp click.
The door locked.
Her breath hitched.
“No!” she cried, rushing forward and twisting the doorknob frantically.
Locked.
“Open the door!” she screamed, pounding her fists against the wood.
She heard his footsteps fading away.
Sofía kept hitting the door until her hands burned and went numb, but it was useless.
Finally, she slumped back, breathing hard as tears blurred her vision.
Her gaze drifted around the room.
The air was heavy with his rich cologne.
This was his room.
The last thing she remembered was him choking her crushing the breath from her lungs.
So how had she ended up here?
And worse…
She had hugged him.
How could she do that?
She had wrapped herself around the very man who was moments away from killing her just because he apologized and held her.
What if none of it was real?
What if it was manipulation?
Another one of his twisted games?
She folded her arms around herself and slowly slid down the door, pulling her knees to her chest as she sat there shaking, staring around the unfamiliar room with tear-filled eyes.
Why had he brought her here?
She already knew the answer.
Her body.
He was a deranged man obsessed with his student.
His words.
His stalking.
Breaking into her home.
Touching her when she was helpless.
And now
He had crossed every line.
He had kidnapped her.
Kept her locked in his room like a prisoner.
What if he never let her go?
No one would even know where she was.
No one would come looking.
Alfonso.
Her eyes widened.
She jumped up suddenly, scanning the room for her bag.
Her phone.
She could call the police
But realization struck like a blow.
Her bag was back in his office.
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
What was she going to do now?
What was he going to do to her?
Would he hurt her?
Her throat tightened until it felt like she couldn’t swallow. Her tongue felt thick and heavy in her mouth.
What if he touched her again?
What if he
The sound of a car engine roared outside.
She ran to the window just in time to see him driving out of the driveway.
He left.
Why?
To get things.
Ropes.
Knives.
Maybe even a gun.
The thought was enough to send her into another wave of sobs.
From everything she knew about him, she was certain of one thing.
He was going to hurt her.
That was why he was keeping her locked up.
He would take what he wanted.
He was tall and powerfully built, muscles stretching across his broad frame, dark tattoos covering his tanned skin, those sinful green eyes hiding something wild and dangerous.
He looked like a beast.
One flick of his finger could send her flying.
She stood no chance.
He could do anything to her.
And she wouldn’t even be able to hurt him.
Not even a little.
Fear churned violently in her chest.
Her body began to shake as horrible possibilities flooded her mind—her pessimism only making it worse.
He would use her.
Then kill her.
And dump her unrecognizable body somewhere in a river, in the woods.
What if he was a psychopath who hunted girls, captured them, tortured them after satisfying his sick desires?
He seemed rich.
What if he sold her?
To people who would do even worse.
What if he sold her organs
She gasped, covering her mouth in horror.
A teacher’s salary couldn’t make someone this wealthy.
Which meant…
Her fears were probably right.
He was handsome model-like.
No one would ever suspect him.
Her mind replayed every dark thriller and horror story she’d ever seen, casting herself as the victim and him as the monster.
Alfonso would never know what happened to her.
He wouldn’t even know if she was alive or dead.
The thought shattered her completely.
“Oh God, please save me,” she cried, dropping to her knees on the floor and clasping her hands together.
“Please… I’ll go to church every Friday. I promise.”
Her sobs shook her small body.
“I’ll be good. I won’t complain anymore. Please save me from this beast. He scares me.”
“Please help me escape. I won’t complain about being alone. I won’t complain that you took my parents away. Just don’t let him hurt me… don’t let him ruin me… please…”
She cried with her eyes squeezed shut, like a frightened child, praying for a miracle.