Chapter 20

Sam's Point-of-View

I woke up dazed and confused. I have such a crick in my neck as I slowly lift my head. My hair completely covers my face as I slowly peer around. Why the hell am I sporting such a headache? And where am I? Then it all hit me at once.

I was kidnapped, again, and tied to a chair.

I panic as I pull on the ropes! Where is everyone?! I try to twist and turn my arms, but they won't move. I peer through my hair, scared to see whoever has us here. One is that crazy blonde, for sure. The other person, who drugged me, is a mystery.

We are in someone's home. The living room itself is full of contemporary items. Modern is the only way to summarize it. I turn and see the panoramic window—a vast open space looking over the entire city. The sun is also starting to go down.

We are still in Sandy, Utah. I know the city anywhere. I would've said it's a beautiful home and view if I knew we weren't in hell!

"Oh? Someone awake!" I hear a voice say happily. I throw my head back to get the rest of my hair away from my face. Turning to my left, I struggle against my ropes and see Ryder is tied next to me. He is bleeding from his head, unconscious.

"No!" I begin to whimper. I want to help him, but the ropes are digging into my wrists. Tears are coming down my face. I try to reach for him but I can't!

I look around and see Freddie and Joe lying on a couch directly in front of me. From what I can tell, Freddie has a bruise on his cheek and a busted lip. Joe is sitting up with his head back, a gash on his right arm. They are both unconscious and aren't tied up.

Our kidnappers probably think it's a waste of time, tying them up.

Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage later on.

Had I not been tied, I would've killed the woman and whoever drugged me from behind.

I continue to fight against my restraints as I hear the sounds of heels approaching me from behind. I turn my head and see the blonde. She stands in front of me and bends over, putting her hands on my lap. We both look to Ryder as he begins to stir.

"Good! Your fiancé is waking up. Now we can get this party started."

She stands tall and walks to the white love seat closest to Ryder, and sits. Grabbing a nail file, she looks at Joe, Freddie, and then Ryder.

Blondie starts to file her nails; a menacing smile painted on her face. "It's been hours! I was starting to wonder if you all had died." She then exhales deeply and starts biting on the inside of her mouth.

Joe jumps up and looks around. He seems confused until his eyes fall on me and then Ryder. He then sees Freddie and begins to shake him. "Freddie!! Fred! Wake up, please!" Joe yells and does a double-take when he sees the woman. He suddenly goes quiet. Fear spreads all over his face.

"He's fine, cupcake," the woman says to him as she looks back at me and smiles. "So many good-looking men, all in one room." She licks her lips at Ryder and winks at me.

She puts the nail file down, stands up, and walks to Ryder. She grabs a handful of his hair and shakes him. He groans in pain as he forces his eyes open.

"Samantha! Where are you?!" He instantly yells as he throws his head back, looking at the woman in disgust. She lets him go.

The woman looks at me. "She's right next to you, Ryder. Sam isn't going anywhere. I promise you that." She runs a finger down his cheek and walks toward Joe.

"Better wake your boy toy. Now that the guest of honor is awake, we can start this party!" She turns, looking back at Ryder.

Ryder looks at me and gives me a faint smile. "Are you okay?" His smile then turns to worry.

I nod as I look at the woman. "I am, but you're hurt," I say, choking back a sob.

Ryder nods as he closes his eyes and inhales. "I've been hurt worse." I know his words are supposed to make me feel better, but they don't. What the hell is going on! And what does she want?

Freddie sits up and groans in pain, grabbing onto his arm. He's hurt!

"What happened?! Where are we?"

Freddie looks around as he sees Ryder and me, then pales. He goes to stand when the woman pushes him down. Joe grabs and puts his arms around Freddie.

Freddie looks at him. "Are you okay?" He whispers. Joe nods nervously. Freddie then does a double-take at the woman. "It's you! You're Joe's stalker! This was all you?!"

The woman smiles and bows.

"She's also the woman I fought in the storm," I interrupt.

Blondie turns to me and starts to remove her wig. She drops it on the floor and shakes her head, making her lengthy, black hair flare out.

"She is also the woman from the Hotel in Boulder," Ryder says. There is now rage in his eyes.

Freddie and I look at each other in horror. Joe grabs Freddie's hand, tears sliding down his cheek.

"So, are we all caught up?" She looks around at the four of us. "Yes, no? Any other questions?"

Ryder scoff. "Of course!" He straightens up and pulls against the rope. "Why?" A look of hunger takes over his face. He's beyond livid! If he is set free, I know he will kill her in two seconds for tying him up and putting all our lives in jeopardy.

"Why? That's easy! You did someone wrong back then. Blah! Blah! Blah! And now they want vengeance. You know how the story goes." She takes out her gun from her waist and places it on the coffee table.

"If I did someone wrong, why aren't they here? Why are you acting like a lap dog?" Ryder asks in disgust.

The woman almost growls at him. I gulp. The question stings her a bit. Odd, I think to myself.

"I enjoy inflicting pain, just like you do. I'm not the head of this little operation. I was just sent out to do something, and I did it." She smiles triumphantly. "However, you might be right, Ryder. I enjoy being told what to do." Her smile turns to a look of a psychopath. Her eyes grow big, and she begins to spin.

"This makes no sense!" I yell at her. "Someone sent you to do what exactly? You've been torturing us for months. Why didn't you just kill Ryder? You had so many opportunities too."

She stops twirling, contemplating my question, and walks towards me, bending right in front of me.

"I like to study my prey. Does that sound familiar?" She looks at Ryder without moving her head. "Weaknesses, weaknesses, weaknesses. The biggest one," she stands straight up, "was Freddie."

Freddie looks at her, confused.

"Ryder's right-hand man," she says, smirking and turning to him. "He helped me so much and didn't even know it." She exhales deeply and stands with a smile. "Where should I begin?"

"Begin with the asshole that helped you," I interrupt. Freddie believes it's Darryl.

It could've been him or Margie. There was a shortlist, but I intended to make sure I'd end their life. For everything, they put my family through.

For Fallon!

I look at Freddie as he whispers something to Joe. Joe nods. I exhale in relief.

They must have a plan.

"So..." The woman laughs, grabbing her gun from the coffee table and walking to Joe. She motions for him to stand.

"No!" Freddie yells. "Take me! Please don't hurt him! Please!" He grabs his injured arm, trying to stand.

The woman pushes him back down. "Wait your turn, Freddie!" She turns back to Joe.

"Freddie, it's okay!" Joe whispers sadly. He tries to put on a brave face. "I love you."

Freddie pales as tears fill his eyes. Joe stands slowly with his hands up, a look of fear on his face.

"Walk!" She yells at him as she cocks the gun. Joe turns to Freddie and nods. A flood of tears slides down Freddie's face. I gulp as Joe comes closer to us. Ryder struggles against the ropes.

Joe's hands go up higher, and he closes his eyes. He stops in front of Ryder and me.

"I'll only tell you who's been helping me if I can kill Joe Worthington. How does that sound?" The woman asks sadistically. She then giggles.

Freddie sobs as the woman's words cut him like a knife. "Please, I beg you! Don't kill him!" He yells while struggling to stand. "Ryder, please! Help him!"

Ryder and I begin to tug at the ropes. I yell as I feel the ropes burn into my wrists. I don't care! We can't let anything happen to either Freddie or Joe.

The psycho in front of us puts the gun down, turns, and smiles at Freddie. "Freddie..."

She then points the gun at him. "Why on Earth would I kill Joe Worthington when Joe Worthington is dead? She's been dead for months."

I look at the woman, confused.

What did she say?

Joe's hands slowly fall as a grin appears on his face. He closes his eyes and slowly turns to Freddie. A look of panic and hurt spread through Freddie's face as Joe opens his mouth.

"Honey, I'm home!"