165

ALAYNA

I have fallen asleep on the couch. It’s already morning. I’m not in my bed, nor Brandon’s penthouse, but in an unfamiliar room somewhere in Wichita. It turns out I’m not dreaming. The devil who’s asleep on the bed right now really kidnapped me.

He’s sleeping! Maybe I can get away…

I cover my mouth from squealing at the possible opportunity to get away from Drake.

I take light steps toward the bed to make sure he’s unconscious. Drake’s forehead is wrinkled, and exhaustion is marked on the lines of his face. He must be unsettled with all this bullshit he got himself into, but he’s clearly tired because no matter how difficult the nightmares are, he doesn’t wake. I know because I’ve seen him in this state in the past. Whenever he was anxious, he’d just sleep it out.

I instantly think of making a call, so I need a phone. Brandon has to know where I am. So bravely, I sneak back to the living room and open Drake’s stuff. I dig inside his suitcase to look for his phone and money. I need money to get away from here. I’m not sure how I’d do that, but I can think of it later.

Finally, I got his wallet and iPhone. When I open the screen, it needs a passcode.

Shit! Of course, it has a passcode!

I open his wallet instead and take some cash. I glance nervously at the bed, but he’s still sleeping. I attempt to unlock his phone again and punch the passcode with my shaking fingers.

Damn it. Of course, nothing will work.

Nevertheless, I stand up and take a deep breath. No one is going to help me here. I am all alone, so the only person who can save me is me. I change my mind about the cash and take his wallet instead. I’m taking his phone with me, so he won’t be able to make a call.

My chest is pounding so loud that I can hear my own heartbeat. My head feels light and numb, as well as my knees.

Carefully, I head to the door and turn the knob. I worry about the guards, but I manage to open the door. No one is outside.

Can I really do this?

I can!

I take my first step, but dread rushes through me when suddenly someone yanks my hair and wrenches me back into the room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I feel Drake’s spiteful breath in my ear.

“D-Drake…” I whimper. “Please, just let me go!”

He threads more locks of my hair with his fingers, and his other hand grabs my neck. “I told you many times to behave, but you just won’t listen.” He tightens his fingers around me, choking me.

“P-P-Please…” I cough. I’m losing air.

Drake drags me back to the house and then tosses me on the bed. His gaze travels up and down my body, assessing me darkly with his dangerous eyes. “Drake, please, don’t hurt me. Please…”

“Do you know how much I sacrificed for you?” Drake crawls onto the bed. “I left the life and reputation I built. I sabotaged my own father for you, but you’re only getting away? Is this how you will thank me?”

“I didn’t ask you to do this.” I sob.

His eyes grow wide. “You ungrateful bitch.” He tenses up and unbuckles his belt.

“Please, don’t. Have mercy, please,” I beg. I creep onto the edge of the bed and curl into one piece, enfolding myself tight. He’s going to touch me the way he used to. He will make me burn for him, ruining the life I just began with Brandon. He will destroy me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever find my way back after he does.

“Look at me.”

I avoid his eyes.

“I said look at me!” he bellows.

I gasp and look up at him. I can already taste my own tears and mucus coming out of my nose. He wraps his belt around his fist, letting the buckle loose.

Drake stares at my face, unblinking, then he raises his arm with the belt. “This is what I do to someone who doesn’t know how to behave.”

I look away again because I know what he will do next. The sound of a whip reverberates in my ear, and an excruciating pain touches my skin. Again and again. I’m used to this.

He has done it many times before, but I’ve learned to bear the pain. My body feels numb, and my tongue tastes like salt and metal. I’m slowly losing my senses, but I can still hear the sounds of his brutal lashes. All I can think of is to wait for him to finish.

This is nothing. I feel nothing.

I can do this.

I close my eyes, losing myself.

Suddenly, he stops.

It’s done, is it?

Slowly, I look up at my tormentor’s face, but something else has gotten his attention. My sense of hearing gradually comes back.

Suddenly, a noise comes from the door, and I hear my name.

“Alayna? Alayna!”

Two strong arms abruptly seize the devil and tug him off me. Icy air touches my body. I hear my name again.

“Alayna!”

Who is it?

“Somebody call an ambulance!” the distressed voice shouts. I see a man’s figure, but it’s not very clear.

I feel a tender touch on my cheek. “Alayna? Can you hear me?”

I try staring at his face again, forcing my eyes to get a clear view of the gentle voice owner.

Then I see him. His blond hair…

“Ollie…”

“Yes, yes, it’s me. Oh, God.”

I groan. I’m running out of energy. “Where is he?”

“Brandon is here. He’s come to rescue you. We’ve got you, okay? You’re safe now.”

Tears run down my cheek. I smile faintly.

That’s good enough. Brandon came.

He’s here…

I close my eyes, and everything turns black.