Chapter 69 STEALTH PLAN
I crossed my arms, staring at him, waiting for him to start the conversation.
“You have ever been in a fight before?” Greg leaned against the side of the ring, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. I wrinkled my nose when he offered me one, but I just shook my head.
“No, I always wanted to learn, but never got around to starting any training.” I kept my eyes narrowed at him. “Why do you ask?”
“It's intriguing, considering your ex,” he exhaled, eyeing me coldly. “You'd think you'd at least seek out some self-defense.”
“It's hard to learn anything when you're on the run.” I shrugged, uneasy.
“But you enrolled in a writing course and finished your degree.” Greg looked at me suspiciously.
“Even if I had learned self-defense, I've seen that monster take down trained men effortlessly and snuff out their lives.” I stepped into the ring, looking around. “Is this an interrogation? Is that why we're in such a secluded spot?”
I towered over him, trying to take control of the situation. He flicked his cigarette to the ground and climbed into the ring.
“Attack me!” he ordered, seriously.
“Attack you?” I said, shocked, taking a few steps back in alarm. “I'm not going to attack you; I don't want to hurt you.”
“And that's exactly the problem,” he replied, impassive.
“What are you talking about, Greg? Why are you acting so strange today?” I threatened to leave the ring, but his hands grabbed my wrist, pulling me back and locking me in.
“Let go of me. What do you think you're doing?” I yelled nervously, struggling.
“Mrs. Elisabeth, aren't you tired of running and screaming?” Greg's eyes were menacing. I trembled under his grip, but he let go, stepping away to the other side of the ring. “Do you know why he's hunting you?”
I rubbed my fists, confused, and lifted my gaze.
“Because he's nothing but a sick psychopath!” I said, furious.
“That too, but also because you're an easy target who doesn't fight back... That's why he enjoys scaring you!” Greg maintained a serious and chilling expression that sent shivers down my spine.
“It seems like you know this type of person well,” I replied harshly, on the defensive. “Why did you bring me here, Greg?”
“Straight to the point?” He scratched his chin, carefully analyzing me. “We can't find your ex. Patrick is too involved to understand the real danger he's in by being with you.”
I opened and closed my mouth, surprised by his direct response, my eyes welling up.
“I warned him; I never wanted to involve him in this!” I lowered my head, ashamed and defensive. “No one can stop him.”
“That's not what I said...”Greg caught my attention.
“But you said you couldn't find him...”
“However, we have what he desires most, you!” Cutting me off, he hurriedly spoke over me. “We don't need to locate him; we know he'll come to you at some point.”
“You want to use me as bait?” I held my breath, feeling my pulse quicken.
“Let's be frank, Mrs. Elisabeth, this is inevitable.” He lit another cigarette, releasing the smoke slowly. “But this time, we'll be prepared, and I'll make sure you're prepared.”
“What do you mean by that?” I furrowed my brow, intrigued.
“I'm going to train you to escape. If he manages to kidnap you, I want you to be ready to get away and call us.” Greg smiled coldly, tilting his chin towards me, causing me to take another step back. “In fact, I hope he does manage to take you.”
“Greg...” I whispered, frightened, tears streaming down my face.
“Mrs. Elisabeth, please don't misunderstand me... This is for your own good, for everyone's good.” Moving closer, he stopped in front of me, touching my forehead with his finger. “As I said, I'm not very good with words... I need your help to catch your ex-fiancé, and the only way I see that happening with minimal casualties is by allowing him to kidnap you.”
“Does Patrick know about this?” I murmured, still in shock, placing a hand over my burning chest.
“No, and he shouldn't know, which is why we're here!” He asserted himself firmly. “Mrs. Elisabeth, I don't want anything bad to happen to you, or to my stubborn friend. Our enemy is cunning, resourceful. You are our only leverage against him.”
I fell silent, feeling anxiety consume my entire body. Allowing that monster to get his hands on me again? How much would I be punished for running away from him for years? The pains...The hunger, the beatings, his outbursts...Would I have to go through all of that again?
“Please, sit down; you're turning pale.” Greg sighed, walking over to a mini-fridge in the room, grabbing water and handing it to me. “Drink slowly.”
I did as he instructed, gripping the bottle shakily and struggling to tilt it into my mouth, with his hands assisting me. Placing his hand on my shoulder, Greg looked into my eyes before continuing:
“I can't imagine the hell you've been through at the hands of this man, judging by your reactions.” I saw him clench his fists. “What I'm trying to say is that I need your help to locate him and put an end to all this without putting my friend in danger!”
“He means a lot to you, doesn't he?”I smiled at Greg, who seemed taken aback.