You're More Resourceful Than I Imagined

Back at Serenity Oaks, Alexander Blackwood waited.

The plan to finally confess everything to Evelyn made him uncharacteristically restless.

His heart hammered against his ribs. A relentless, anxious rhythm.

He checked his watch again. He'd lost track of how many times he'd done that.

The minutes stretched, each one an agony.

Evelyn was still not back.

A cold dread began to coil in his gut.

He knew the location of her office. Serenity Oaks wasn't far. A bus ride should have taken half an hour, at most. There was no excuse for this delay.

His brow furrowed. He took out his phone and called her. Had something happened? If she was in trouble, he needed to know.

No answer.

He tried a second time. Then a third. Only silence.

His face hardened. Jaw tight, he called his subordinate. "Find Evelyn. Immediately. I sense something is wrong."

The return call came quickly.

"Mr. Blackwood, the streetlights on Park Avenue were under maintenance. The area was dark. We reviewed traffic camera footage. Mrs. Blackwood was attacked at a crosswalk. Rendered unconscious and forced into a vehicle. The plates trace back to Julian Blackwood. A team is in pursuit. We expect a location shortly."

Alexander's entire body went rigid, a predator poised to strike. "Bring the car. Now."

"Yes, Sir!"

As Julian advanced, Evelyn's gaze was pure fire. She sucked in a sharp breath, wrenching her hands free from the loosened bonds. She sidestepped his clumsy grab.

He stumbled, thrown off balance, and slammed into the chair she'd been tied to. A grunt of pain escaped him.

He righted himself, fury twisting his features. "You stubborn bitch! You never learn!"

Evelyn's blood roared in her ears. Her eyes darted, landing on a wine bottle on a side table. She made a desperate lunge for it, her fingers closing around the cool glass neck.

But Julian was quicker. His hand clamped down on her wrist, twisting it brutally. White-hot pain shot up her arm.

She cried out as the bottle fell from her numb fingers, shattering on the concrete floor.

A cruel smirk twisted Julian's lips. He seemed to enjoy her struggle. "You're more resourceful than I imagined. Trying to fight back? Admirable. But futile. You're not leaving. Behave, and this might be easier for you..."

He didn't get to finish.

Evelyn lunged forward again. This time, her teeth sank deep into the flesh of his forearm.

A guttural scream ripped from Julian's throat.

His grip instinctively loosened.

Ignoring the pain screaming through her body, Evelyn spun away.

This was her only opportunity.

She had to run. She had to get out.

She staggered toward the door, each step a monumental effort. Her head swam. Black spots danced at the edge of her vision. She clung to consciousness by sheer will.

She collided with the heavy door, her hands scrambling for the handle. She twisted it desperately.

It didn't budge.

Locked. From the outside.

Her hope shattered as completely as the bottle on the floor.