Chapter 11
ΑΠΕΤΙΝΕ
“The one time I actually need those jackasses my father has tail me, they’re nowhere to be found,” Nicole growled, yanking at her chains with frustration.
1 sighed, leaning back against the cold, damp wall. “I’ve already tried pulling at these. It’s useless. The silver in our system isn’t helping either.”
Nicole turned her head toward me, her frustration melling into a faint smirk. “I can hardly even feel Hory right no out of here. And trust me, those guys are going to regret this.”
now. She’s going to be so pissed when I get
“Roxy?” I blinked at her, confused. “Who’s Roxy?”
She laughed, the sound almost too carefree considering the situation. “Don’t tell me you haven’t given your wolf a name. She’s like your sister. Your badass ride or die. How does your woll not have a name?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, even though fear gnawed at the edges of my mind. “I don’t know, Nicole, I’ve just……..never thought about it.”
Her laughter grew louder, echoing off the walls. “You’re missing out. Roxy and I have been through hell together. She deserves her name.”
“This is definitely not how I pictured the night going, I muttered, glancing around our grimy cell.
Nicole shrugged, leaning back as far as her chains would allow. “Honestly? Pushing aside the tiny
my fact that we might die soon, this is kind of exciting, it’s
like one of those action movies. You know, the ones where the heroine saves the day against all odds.”
“Yeah, well, considering the fact that the tiny part involves our potential deaths, I’d say it’s a little hard to ignore,” I shot back. Then, curiosity got the
better of me, “How did they even get you?”
Nicole sighed dramatically, tilting her head back. “You were taking too long in the bathroom, so I came to check on you. Next thing I know, I see two guys dragging you out the back entrance. Naturally, I sprang into action. Roxy and I are usually unstoppable, but I don’t know what they hit me with. It was like my strength just… vanished.”
“And now you’re in this mess because of me,” I said, guilt pooling in my stomach. “I’m so sorry,
Nicole
“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes, grinning. “I’ve been in way worse situations than this. If I’d known you had a target on your back, I’d have hunted you down and made friends sooner. That way, we could’ve gotten kidnapped together sooner.”
Despite myself, I laughed. “W
“You’re really something.”
Nicole grinned but then sobered as her gaze flicked toward the door. “Any idea who’s behind this? Someone clearly wants you out of the picture, and they’ve gone through a hell of a lot of trouble to do it.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, glancing at the chains again.“I don’t have enemies. I’m the nicest person I know. This has to be about Nicholas. He’s the only connection I can think of If I somehow survive this, he’s probably going to kill me anyway for leaving without his permission. Either way, I’m screwed.”
Nicole’s lips quirked into a mischievous smile. “You’re not screwed until I say you’re screwed. Now, let’s figure out how we’re going to get out of this”
I looked at her skeptically. “We’re chained up, poisoned, and locked up. What’s your grand plan?”
Shetitted her head thoughtfully. “Well… first, we need to get one of those bastards in here. We can’t do anything if we’re stuck alone.”
“And how do you propose we do that??
Nicole’s eyes gleamed with mischiet “We take an argument. Make it loud, dramatic, and impossible to ignore. Someone’s bound to come check on us.”
Thesitated, “What do we argue about?”
She smirked. “How about how this is all my fault? You didn’t want to go to the bar, I dragged you there, and now we’re in this mess. Sound good?”
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Chapter 11
I nodded, the comers of my lips twitching upward despite the tension in my chest. “Let’s do it”
Nicole didn’t hesitate, launching into her performance with gusto. “I told you see shouldn’t have gone out tonight! But no, you had to listen to me didn’t you? Now look where we are!”
Imatched her tone, my voice rising. “Are you kidding me? Lonly went because you wouldn’t stop badgering me about it! If I’d stayed home, none of this would’ve happened!”
Nicole’s face twisted into mock outrage. “Oh, so this is my fault now? I was trying to help you loosen up, and this is the thanks! get?”
You call this helping? We’re chained up, Nicole! Chained up!”
The sound of heavy footsteps outside the door mid
argument going
my heart race. Nicole caught my eye, her expression sharpening with determination as we kept the
“You’re unbelievable!” she yelled.
“Me? You’re the one who-
The door slammed open, and a burly man strode in, his face a mask of irritation. “Shut up, both of you, before I make you regret it.”
My gaze instantly locked on the keyring hanging from his belt. Nicole’s eyes flickered to it as well, her lips twitching into a smirk before she looked back at him
“Or what?” she snapped, hertone dripping with defiance. “You’ll chain us up even more?”
The man’s lips curled into a snarl. “I’ll cut out your tongues if you don’t stop squawking.”
“Try it Nicole challenged, her voice laced with venom.
As he stepped closer, I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. We didn’t need words to communicate. In perfect unison, we moved,
all I needed. Nicole threw herself at the man, aiming high, while I kicked out with my legs. He stumbled, losing his balance for just a moment. It was a
Using my feet, I hooked the keys from his belt and flicked them toward Nicole, who caught them expertly despite her chains.
The man roared, his claws extending as he lunged for me. His hand closed around my neck, squeezing just enough to send a surge of panic through my
system
“You’re going to regret that,” he snarled, his breath hot and rancid against my face.
Nicole screamed, her voice raw and panicked. “Let her go!”
Before he could tighten his grip, a voice from outside the room barked, “Get out here! Now!”
The man hesitated, his claws retracting slightly as he glanced toward the door. With a frustrated growl, he released me, shoving me backward before storming out, slamming the heavy door behind him.
Nicole and I exchanged a tense look, adrenaline coursing through us. Her lips curved into a triumphant grin as she held up the keys.
“Ready to get out of here?” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and exhilaration.
“More than ready,” i rasped, my throat still raw from where his claws had pressed against my skin.
Nicole wasted no time tumbling with the lock on her chains. Her hands shook, but she managed to free herself in moments, and then she turned her attention to mine. The click of the lock releasing was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard. My arms ached as I moved them for the first time in hours, the weight of the chains finally gor.
“Okay, we’re free,” I whispered, glancing at the door. “But we can’t go through that door without a plan. We don’t know how many of them are out there
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Chapter 11
or if they’re guarding the exit.”
Nicole shot me a look, one that was almost amused despite the gravity of the situation. “Don’t worry about that, I told you get into a whole lot of trouble, and I always find a way out.”
I blinked at her, increduleus “This isn’t a bar fight, Nicole. These guys kidnapped us, drugged us with silver, and chained us up. They’ll kill os if they catch
Her grin widened. “Exactly why we need to move fast. Come on.” She motioned for me to follow as she crept toward the door.
My heart hammered in my chest as she reached for the handle. Nicule cracked the door open just enough to peek through. She froze for a moment, then turned back to me. “I don’t see anyone,” she whispered.
Thesitated, but she gave me an encouraging nod. “Trust me. We’ve got this,”
Reluctantly, I nodded and followed her as she slipped through the door. We moved cautiously down the dimly lit hallway, every creak of the wooden floorboards making my nerves spike. The house or wherever we were seemed eerily quiet. Too quiet.
Nicole glanced over her shoulder, whispering. “You know, I think we might actually pull this off.”
But unease coiled in my stomach. Something wasn’t right. “Where are all the men?” I murmured, my voice barely audible. “This is too easy.”
Nicole’s expression faltered, but before she could respond, a sudden, sharp yank on my hair sent me stumbling backward with a gasp. Pain radiated through my scalp as I turned to see the man from earlier, his face twisted in a snarl.
“And where do you think you’re going?” he growled, his grip tightening.
“Get your hands off her!” Nicole shouted, lunging toward me, but her bravery was cut short as the burly man grabbed her. His massive hand clamped
around her arm like a vice.
The first man,
their leader, sneered. “You two are really getting on my nerves. Maybe you need a reminder=”
“if I were you, I wouldn’t finish that sentence.”
The voice came from the shadows, cold and controlled, yet it carried an undeniable authority that froze everyone in place. The air seemed to shift, the temperature dropping as an overwhelming presence filled the space. Slowly, all eyes turned toward the source of the voice
Nicholas
He stood at the end of the hallway, his posture relaxed, his hands in his pockets, but his very existence commanded the room. His face was calm, almost serene, but his eyes burned with a quiet fury. His lips curved into a smile–cold and devoid of humor.
“I believe you took something that belongs to me,” he said smoothly, his gaze locking onto the leader. “And no–one touches what is mine and lives to speak about it”
