Chapter 32

Why do my head and hands hurt so much? It feels as if a train ran over me. The soreness in my knees is almost unbearable.

I blink, but hiss and quickly shut my eyes as harsh light shines directly on my face. I carefully open my eyes, trying to get used to the intense sunlight that shines into the room.

Where am I? I spin my head around with a puzzled look. My stomach churns with fear.

The places look more like an abandoned basement than a room. There are broken furniture and nails everywhere with dust and spiderwebs in every corner. A small bed with torn brown sheets and a broken headboard sits close to the wall. The walls were once blue, but now there’s just a hint of blue under dirt and dust. The fan on the ceiling is covered with dust and the ceiling is full of holes.

This place looks desolate and unsafe. Who brought me here? What do they want with me?

I sigh knowing I have to wait for all these questions to be answered. I keep trying to get out of the rope that binds my wrists to the chair I’m sitting in. I tug harshly on the rope wincing as the rope bites my wrist. After a while, I try pulling on the rope that wraps around my ankles but fail to loosen anything.

"Wow, she finally decides to wake up," a voice says behind me startling me. I try to turn but the ropes keep me bound. "I was starting to think the drugs were too much for your system,” says the voice. It’s definitely a man. I hear him walk towards me.

I gasp when he comes into view. "Blake Jackson?" I ask, confused.

"Correct. I know you must be surprised," he says placing a stool in front of me. He places a tray with a covered plate and a bottle of water beside me before sitting on another stool in front of me.

He laughs lightly at my intense gaze. "Ask away. I am here to answer every question," he says with a smug look. His hands are crossed over his broad chest.

"What’s going on? What is this place? Why am I here?" I ask, confused and frustrated by this obnoxious guy.

"Sweetheart, you have to ask your question one at a time," he says slowly with a raised eyebrow.

Taking a deep breath with my eyes closed, I calm myself down before responding. "Blake Jackson, why am I here?" I ask.

"Always so feisty, but that’s what I love about you," he says with a mischievous smile. He brings his face a few inches away from mine and I push myself a little backward. "I brought you here to carry out my revenge on your father," he says maliciously.

"What are you saying?" I question trying not to waver under his eye.

He replies with a half-smile before returning to his previous position. "Your father was the reason my dad was imprisoned. And when he couldn't handle prison, he took his own life leaving my pregnant mother to deal with four-year-old me all alone. We lived in poverty," he spits out.

Sweat runs down my face as I look away from him. "What?" I whisper before meeting his eyes. "I don't know what your plan is but leave me out of your lies."

"My plans? My plans are to make your father pay for every tear my mother shed after losing my father" he says vehemently.

I laugh dryly. "My dad wouldn't send your father to jail if he didn't commit a crime," I say confidently. My father is an honest businessman who cares about loyalty, and he would never do something without a good reason. I have a question for you," I say confidently.

He waves his hand telling me to go on. "Why now? I mean, why are you carrying out your revenge now and using me, his unwanted daughter, as bait?"

"Unwanted." He repeats the word like I’m an idiot. "Your father does not think of you as his unwanted daughter. Oh, no. He cares about you and loves you." I stare at him indifferently. "You know he actually put me in charge of your safety after kicking you out of his home. He made sure I stayed close by without being seen," he explains before pulling his phone out. "Enough of this. Let's move on to the first phase of my revenge," he says. "I am going to call your dad right now and I am going to give you a few seconds to speak with him, okay?" He dials his number before putting the phone on loudspeaker.

I stare at him silently. I have dozens of questions.

"Blake, what’s going on? I just received news that my daughter is missing." My dad’s familiar voice sounds riddled with worry. "I pay you to give me information about my daughter 24/7," he says angrily.

I watch Blake. "Mr. Dante, the tables have turned. I call the shots now, not you," he says. He mouths 'Don't you dare say a word to me. I just glower at him.

"Send me information about Shiloh right now," he says sounding frustrated and stressed out.

"Shiloh is with me. Come on. Say something to your dad," he urges, bringing the phone closer to me.

I gulp nervously, not knowing what to do. It has been so long since I heard his voice.

"Shiloh, are you alright?" he asks sounding worried.

"N-No, I’m not. I’m so confused. What’s going on?" I ask, blinking back tears.

Blake turns off the loudspeaker and then places the phone on his ear. "The only way you can ever see your daughter again is by following my orders carefully."

"I will text you the address and my requests right now. You have three days. Don’t you dare call the cops. If you do, your daughter dies," he says before hanging up.

"How dare you do this to me and my family," I say with disdain before taking a deep breath. "Okay, just let me call Chole and find out how my son is doing."

"You are not in a position to make any requests with me," he says, placing the stool with the tray between us and opening the lid.

I stare at the plate of rice and beef as my stomach growls. I haven't eaten anything.

"So, it’s time you eat something nice," he says, bringing a spoonful of rice and beef to my closed lips.

I move my head away, frustrating him. "Don't want to eat? Okay, no problem. Let’s move on to the second phase of my plan," he says. "I am going to video call Chance with your phone and tell him what’s going on."

"What? No, what does he have to do with all this?" I protest as he stands behind me and angles the phone so only I’m in view. "Blake, you can't involve him in this. We don’t even talk anymore!"

"Shiloh, shut up." He pulls my hair hard.

"Shiloh, what the fuck? Where are you?" Chance says sounding scared. "What’s going on? Where are you? Everyone is worried."

"Hey Chance," Blake says as he moves the camera. "Look at you! It’s really been so long, man.”

"What? Shiloh, what are you doing with him?" he says.

I stare at him. He looks mad.

"He kidnapped me!"

"You see, Chance Cristain, I have her tied up to a chair right now and the only way for you to see her safe is by following my orders," he says before moving my hair away and placing a light kiss on my neck.

I try wriggling out of his grip. His lips feel disgusting against my skin.

"Get off her! I promise to do anything and everything you ask," he says with a stern expression.

"That’s great! I will text you the details and don't you dare call the cops," he says, hanging up. " Now that that’s done, I have other plans to make," he says putting my phone into his back pocket. He bends in front of me. "You know, I have always loved you, and I still do."

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and kisses me on the cheek. I flinch. "Don't touch me, you sick bastard."

He laughs. "If you are ready to eat, just call me. I will be outside," he says.

"You can't leave me like this! This rope hurts," I yell, squirming in the chair.

"Oh yeah? Well, deal with it."

I groan angrily. I can't believe this. Oh God, what am I going to do now? I just hope my baby is okay.