The Puppeteer

Chapter 27

As I sit in the passenger seat of Lena's black sports car, a sleek and powerful Audi R8, I feel a sense of unease wash over me. The car ride is awkward and uncomfortable, the tension between us palpable.

Lena glances at me, her eyes displeased, as she tries to talk. "I know you're going to ruin him, primcedst," she says, her voice dripping with venom. "You're going to ruin everything he's built. And he'll let you, too, because he's in love with you."

I catch my breath, my heart skipping a beat. In love? No, he can't be. He kidnapped me, held me captive for months. Sure, the last few months have been...semi-magical, I suppose. But I know I won't be his forever, like he wants.

Lena's eyes seem to bore into my soul, as if she can see the thoughts racing through my mind. "He won't know if you make a run for it at Target," she says, her voice low and husky. "If you decide to book, I won't tell him. I know how to lie to K. He won't need to worry."

I process her words, my mind racing with the possibilities. We pull into the Target parking lot, and Lena looks at me, her eyes questioning.

"What's the choice, princess?" she asks, her voice firm.

I look at her, a sense of determination washing over me. "I'm going shopping," I say, my voice firm, as I head out of the car.

Lena comes around, a hat in her hand, which she places on my head. "You're Victor DeLuca's daughter," she says, her voice low. "No one needs to recognize the DeLuca princess."

I feel a surge of anger, growing to hate Lena for calling me that. But I push it aside, focusing on my goal.

As we head inside, I grab a cart, looking at Lena. She smirks, nodding, before turning and walking away.

I'm alone.

I head to the clothes section of Target, browsing through the racks. That's when I notice a group of girls looking at me, pulling out their phones. I rush over, a sense of panic washing over me.

"Excuse me," I say, trying to sound calm. "Can I borrow your phone? I lost mine."

One of the girls, no more than fifteen, nods and hands me her phone. I look around, trying to see if Lena or Kallis are anywhere in sight. But they're not.

I quickly send a text to my father, my heart racing. I send my location, along with a 911 message. I smile, thanking the girl, as the girls walk away.

I continue to pretend to shop, tossing items into my cart. But my mind is racing, my heart pounding in my chest.

I head towards the bathroom area, my eyes scanning the store for any signs of Lena or Kallis. That's when I see the police pull up, my father's car right behind them.

I feel a surge of panic, my heart racing. I look around, trying to see if Lena is anywhere in sight. But she's not.

I run into the bathroom, sitting in one of the stalls as I try to control my breathing. I remember Lena's words, "Kallis is in love with you." How could I do this to him? I saw the fear in his eyes before I left. And yet, I called for my father.

I'm torn, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. I remember the sensual nights between Kallis and me, the way he made me feel. Was I falling for him, too?

I don't know. All I know is that I have to get out of here, before it's too late.