With his threat fresh in her head, Tammy was expecting Aidan to hurt her; perhaps hit her or lock her in the basement.

However, she was left confused when he walked away, leaving her alone in the kitchen and free to do whatever she pleased.

With only her thoughts for company, the first thing that came to her mind was running.

She placed her hand on the doorknob when she remembered about Grace and her distraught mother.

Who was she kidding? Tammy couldn't leave until she located the girl.

"I know you have something to do with it," she mumbled to herself as her vision landed on the knife rack which sat in the room's corner.

No, she couldn't stab him. Not now, at least.

Instead of picking up a blade, Tammy wandered around the kitchen like it was some sort of show home.

She inspected everything, from the fridge-freezer to the rubbish bin; Tammy left no space untouched.

"Come on, there's got to be something," she groaned as she pulled the last drawer open.

The drawer was empty, except for her mobile phone.

This wasn't right.

She closed the drawer, abandoning her mobile and any chance of help.

Her stomach churned with anxiety and for a second, she felt she was going to be sick.

Tammy rested her arm on the bench as she bit at the skin on her lip. "What are you up to?" she thought out loud.

"Nothing much. Like I said, just running a few errands," Aidan replied, appearing from behind her.

He narrowed his eyes when she jumped back, not expecting him so soon.

"Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness," he grinned.

Tammy forced a smile. "Ha, ha," she mocked, squinting at him.

Aidan shook his head, dismaying her sarcasm and straightening his face. "You've been acting weird," he stated, "It's like you've noticed something I haven't."

An image of Grace flashed through her mind, followed by her phone.

"I know more than you think," she dared herself, staring him straight in the eye.

He laughed, "Is that so?"

Tammy nodded, observing him. "I know you have Grace."

Aidan's eyes shone back at her, gleaming with delight and mirroring his smirk. "Fine," he replied, throwing his arms up in the air and shouting. "Grace, you can come out now."

Tammy couldn't understand it, and she didn't expect it either.

That was, until the fair-haired girl came through the door, her head hung low and a tear clinging to her cheek.

Aidan pointed his finger toward Tammy, interrupting her before she could speak. "Relax. She asked me if she could stay here."

Tammy frowned, resentment burning in her blood. "She's a kid."

"And her parents left her," Aidan added, raising his tone. "Ask her yourself. She begged me."

Both their eyes settled on Grace, who shifted under their gaze. "They argued all the time," she admitted, her voice high and shaky. "And I wanted to stay here. I love dogs."

Grace looked up at Aidan, another tear rolling down her cheek. "But I want to go home now. I miss my mom."

A shadow fell on Aidan's face, darkening his features and removing the arrogant smirk he wore.

"You're not going anywhere."