Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 26

The sun is setting when I pull up to what looks to be some old abandoned warehouse of some sort. There aren't any lights on inside and the windows are busted out. I don't see any other cars around and I'm unsure if this is where Dominic said I was supposed to go. As per usual, he just shouted the address at me and expected me to catch everything the moment he said it. I mean, would it have killed him to give me a second to gather my bearings after hearing from him for the first time in a month after fleeing the country in the dead of night?

But he's here now. My past has finally caught back up to me. It seems I'm destined for a life of being cheated on and shouted at. He's going to keep me locked up without any friends unless he's approved of them beforehand. I'll never be able to wear my ripped jeans and tank tops. I'll be his little Stepford wife. Or that's what he thinks. Just because his daddy comes from old money and they have a lot of pull with the wrong kind of people doesn't mean that I have to be compliant. If it's me he wants, then it's me he's going to get. I will make him as uncomfortable as he makes me. As I get out of the car, I pray that he doesn't decide to do anything drastic when we get home where his family still holds a lot of power, despite the rumors swirling that Dominic isn't doing as well with the family business as dear old dad.

I've even heard him shouting at someone on the phone before about how there isn't any money left in his precious trust fund and that he's working on a way to rectify that situation as soon as possible. Whatever that means, it did sound like his family is in trouble financially. And I can assume he didn't want me to hear his conversation because he scurried off to his office to take the call. Which is precisely why I listened at the door.

I slowly walk up to the building and take a deep breath. This is it. No matter what happens, I'm getting Kate the hell out of here even if it kills me. And if I have to marry this fucking scum bag because nobody but Kate cares that he's an abusive, narcissistic prick then so be it. But I'll make his life hell while I'm at it. I push open the rusty door and the hinges screech loudly throughout the dark empty building.

I walk through the door into the cavernous space and see a faint light just inside. I start to make my way toward the light so I can see better when I hear loud boots stomping behind me. I whip around and see two big guys come out of the darkness beside the doorway I just entered like they had been lying in wait for me.

"What's going on?" I ask in the firmest voice I can muster. I know I said I was ready but I still can't help being frightened of what's going to happen.

I get no response from the two roided-out goons but they each take an arm and escort me beside an old-looking balcony until we get to some stairs leading down to where the light is coming from. I watch as the open door to freedom disappears from view while I struggle in the arms of Dominic's paid security. He has always thought himself important and I'm sure having these guys around makes him feel more in control. That's what it's all about for him. He has to be in control of everything. If not, he lashes out and throws blows. Or he has his men do it for him if he doesn't feel up to getting his hands dirty. I've suspected for a long time that his family is tied in with the mob or something. But they keep everything quiet and I'm not allowed around them when they're talking about the family business.

Once we get to the bottom of the stairs without them collapsing under the weight of the two giants practically carrying me, I realize the balcony above overlooks the open floor below. There is one light under where I came in upstairs and just in front of the mezzanine is my best friend.

"Kate! Oh my God! Are you ok?" I shout trying to struggle away from my captors but without much luck. She looks terrible. I can see she has bruises on her arms that are tied to a little wooden chair. She has a cut on her cheekbone and a split lip that is still bleeding. Her clothes and hair are askew and I've never seen my friend so out of sorts.