Whimpering woke me and, as I tried to move, I cried out and realized the whimpers had come from me. I didn’t know how long I’d been asleep, but from what I could see through the small window, the sun was out. There wasn’t a part of my body that didn’t scream in pain.

But most of all, I could really use a drink.

I laughed at myself. After everything I’d been through, all I could think about was a drink.

Prying my tired eyes open once more, I tried to shift my body to the side, only to still.

Had I?

Yes, there were voices.

Someone was here.

I must have lost the plot because, even though it was faint, I was sure I heard Adrik’s rough and gruff tone. I laughed at myself for that one.

A door slammed. Footsteps descended the porch above me. There were people here. I picked up the chains and rattled them. I banged them against the floor and opened my mouth to yell.

My voice failed me. A small sound fell out instead.

Were they leaving? They couldn’t leave.

Please, please, help me. Please.

I cleared my throat and tried again. It stung, but it was louder. Tears welled and dropped when no one came rushing back to the house.

The basement door opened, and I knew my chance to get free was shortening.

Opening my mouth, I ignored the pain and screamed with everything I had left in me.

Please, please, please.

Chapter Ten

Lucas

They have him,” Adrik shouted before he started for their front door.

“Fuck.” Kylo went after him.

“Wade, I have to go.”

Wade growled through the phone, “Don’t you fuckin’ dare—”

He would kill me for hanging up on him, but I had to follow the others after hearing that scream. The goose bumps still hadn’t faded from when the sound pierced the air.

My heart was in my throat. Adrik didn’t knock. No, he shouldered his way through the door, and it opened with a bang, hitting the wall behind it. He raced in, yelling, “West.”

“You can’t be in here,” Grace screamed, coming at us from down a hallway with a rolling pin.

She was close to Adrik when he palmed her face and pushed her to the side. She stumbled, dropping the pin, and fell to the floor.

Kylo pulled a gun and aimed it at her. “Move, and I’ll shoot.”

“West?” I yelled.

“Where is basement door?” Adrik demanded from Grace.

She glared up at him, saying nothing, but he caught, like I did, the flick of her gaze to the side. Adrik started for the door. I followed. He swung the door wide and flew down the stairs.

I slipped on one when Adrik’s roar echoed around the space. When I hit the last step, I stopped cold.

No. God, no. Oh my God, please no. Not West.