Feeling like a lamb led to the slaughter, I walked alone or what appeared to be alone, through the casino floor trying to draw Ryan out. The red dress I was wearing was making me stand out like a rose amongst the daisies, Ryan should have no problem finding me.

The singing bells of winning slot machines dinged and whistled as I made my way towards the blackjack tables. My heart pounded against my chest wall so hard and so fast that I could see the material that laid on my chest moving from the powerful muscle that was working in overdrive right now.

I skimmed my hand down my red dress along my right thigh as if to smooth the material, but I was really feeling for the custom belt from Branna that concealed my knife. It was meant to be undetected if I were to be searched over my clothes, however I knew it was there and that gave me confidence.

Sliding into the high backed stool at the blackjack table that had open seats, I placed my stack of chips in front of me and exhaled the breath I'd been holding in. I put a $1000 chip out in front of me on the green felt.

"Can I please change that?" I ask the young female dealer who picked up the chip and tapped it twice on the leather edge of the table.

"Changing $1000" she called out loud to the pit boss and then placed my chip into the tray on the table while she pulled out the smaller denominations and put them in stacks in front of me.

The table of players placed their bets and the dealer dealt the cards down the felt.

I lifted up my eyes from the table to make immediate eye contact with Cole who had found a slot machine across the casino floor from me to sit at that gave him a direct view to me. His smiling eyes settled me instantly.

I knew the rest of the club was in here somewhere watching me but no one was in Slayer's gear, including Cole who was in jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt and a ball cap, which made it hard for me to pick out anyone else.

As the dealer was making her second pass down the table with the face up card, I felt my entire body go cold and my stomach wrench in fear, I felt him before I saw him. My hand fell to my right leg out of instinct to check for my weapon, then I slid my hand slightly up to rest against my stomach that was in knots.

Ryan sat down next to me on my left casting his cloud of darkness and fear over me when he placed his palm on my thigh making my heart rate spike being touched by him again. A cold sweat broke out under my armpits instantly, stress sweat.

"Hi baby, you look gorgeous" Ryan's threatening voice rumbled low out of his lips before swiping his lips against my temple. I heard him smell my hair making me want to vomit.

I told myself to calm down, this was the plan, I was the bait. Time to play...

I titled my head to look at him in contempt.

His once beautiful chocolate brown eyes were now cold and dark orbs that bore into me. He looked like a man possessed, Hell he could be for all I knew. His face was still the same though, a face I once couldn't get enough of, now I just wanted to punch it. His black hair was a little longer and he had black stubble on his face. My stomach wretched and I fought down the bile that crept up in my throat.

Mistaking my examination of his disgusting face for missing him he smirked

"Don't worry baby we will be alone soon" he said as he pressed his hand down on my leg. I felt a sharp pain in my thigh that burned and spread out, then my body felt an instant floaty feeling.

Noooo Nooooo!!

No! Was all I could think. I looked to Cole with fear, pleading for him to help me but when I found him across the casino floor, he was being pulled up from his machine and led away by a couple big guys. My vision was going so I couldn't see who had him.

Whatever drug Ryan injected into my leg took quick effect as I slumped in my chair a little.

I tried to cry out to the dealer for help but couldn't open my mouth and the last thing I heard was Ryan's menacing voice.

"Lets get you to our room sweetheart, sorry my wife isn't feeling well..."

——————————

Numbness in my hands and feet was the first thing I noticed as I started to come around out of the drug induced stupor Ryan put me into. I could feel the heavy material of my dress so I was thankful I wasn't naked but I was tied up.

I couldn't open my heavy eyelids yet but I could make out faint sounds of a muffled voice from somewhere in the room. My hearing wasn't 100% because the voice sounded like it was in a tunnel under water but I thought I heard "...get em all"

Cole? The club?

My mouth was dry and I tried to swallow but my mouth was so dry I had to peel my tongue off the roof of my mouth before I could swallow.

I finally swallowed hard and willed myself to open my eyes.

The room was dimly lit by a bedside lamp. I could see bright light coming in from the left of me. When I turned my head I saw the lights of the strip and noticed the room looked like the room Cole and I had checked into so that has to mean we're still in the same hotel.

"Glad you're finally awake angel" Ryan's voice made my skin crawl but I held back a body shudder. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Cole told me not to show fear. I just need to hold it together until Cole, or someone, finds me. I know they have to be looking for me right now. There is no way Ryan got everyone.

Is there?

My mind is frantic with what happened to Cole but I don't want to provoke Ryan. I know what I will have to stoop to.

I felt the bed dip down. My eyes flew open to see Ryan just inches from my face.

"I missed you" He whispered as he stroked my hair along my face, brushing it back. My body involuntarily tensed, unsure and untrusting of him.

This is what he does. Shows tenderness before he snaps out of nowhere for any reason he deems.

I swallowed and smiled a stiff smile

"I missed you too"

Instantly his hand was on my throat and his eyes flashed with darkness.

"Don't lie to me you whore! You've been fucking that guy..." he tightened his grip on my throat "I had him gutted" he smiled as he watched my eyes.

Oh God please No! He's lying! He has to be lying? Cole!

"N-O Ry-an" I gasped for air "They kid-nap" I gasped again "napped me"

"You're a lying bitch" his hands constricted like a boa around my neck. I thrashed under him as much as I could for being tied down like a starfish to the bed. All I could think about was Cole and that I should have said yes immediately when he asked me to marry him. Would would have had babies? Would they look like him? Would we have been happy?

I love you Cole

Those were my last thoughts as my vision began to blur and see stars, but before I passed completely out from asphyxiation, I thought I heard Ghost's voice bellow out from somewhere although I couldn't make out the words. Then it went black.

——————-

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey guys I'm so sorry it's been forever. Life happened and I just couldn't finish my books. But...She back!!

I'm going to have the last chapter ASAP and the epilogue will follow soon.

Thank you all so much for hanging in there. All the reads,votes and comments have been so encouraging for me as I was completely new to this platform and writing in general and this is basically my first book I put up before starting all my others.

No Boundaries

Up In Flames

Both of there are romance and are pretty far along.

The Haunting of Nixon Harlow is just getting going and is going to be paranormal and scary.

Object of Obsession is a paranormal murder mystery thriller.

Stay tuned for The Finale Pt.2

Love A💋