Beguiled, The Deadlock series, Book 2

Chapter 2: Under Duress

     

The ear-splitting sound of thunder jerked me awake. All of a sudden, an alarming ice-cold tingle stirred every nerve under my skin. Someone was in the room.

Despite my instincts warning me, my body refused to cooperate as panic took over. The house was dark. Trying to figure out where the intruder was, I quietly reached for the bottle of wine on the coffee table, the only way to protect myself. But I couldn't find it.

My ears throbbed at the frantic pounding of my heart.

In a sudden flash of lightning, I saw him sitting in the red armchair, right across the sofa. A familiar, still figure in his usual black Squad suit; broad shoulders upright against the back of the chair, hands resting on the armrests.

"That was a very foolish thing to do," Christopher said calmly, a second before panic punched my chest.

My relief lasted only for a split of a second. I remembered he was the one I'd been running away from, unable to deal with the change in him. Why on earth did he have to follow me here? Why did he keep on torturing me with his adorable face and his irresistible voice?

"Why are you here?" I whispered sitting up. "Why don't you leave me alone?" I continued, my voice faltering. "Haven't you tortured me enough?"

"It's too late for that I'm afraid. It was you who brought me back, remember? You started this, Emma, and no one can stop it now." His voice sounded milder than a few hours ago, when he had drawn the line between us. Still, underneath his composed façade, I had the feeling there was something he was trying to hide.

"I'm perfectly sure I can stop it now. I won't be bothering you anymore; you've made it clear that you want nothing to do with me." I tried to sound stern, hoping he missed the edge of despair in my voice.

"As I said, it's too late. They've got your boyfriend."

"Who?"

He pressed two fingers against his forehead, right between his eyebrows, in a gesture that revealed his exhaustion.

"The guy you've been meeting in that hotel in London."

I blinked. "What hotel? Oh, my God! Are you talking about Alex?"

He raised one eyebrow. "Is that his name?"

Moving on its own, my hand reached up to clasp my throat. "What...Who's got him?" I squealed.

"You know who's got him." a rigid voice said. "I told you many lives would be at risk until you completed your mission."

"What are they going to do to him?" The thought brought a heavy feeling to my stomach, making me sick.

"I can't say." He shrugged. "Maybe nothing."

"But you don't really believe this, do you?"

"I don't know what to say to you, Emma. Your guess is as good as mine. They still keep me in the dark, you see. It didn't help that you ran away."

"I'm sorry I caused you trouble." I hoped he didn't miss my sarcasm. His problems with the League didn't matter to me anymore. I only cared about the news he came to deliver. They've got Alex. The Squad kidnapped my only friend here. I should have seen it coming. I shouldn't have involved him in this. Tex has Alex. Because of me. Because I ran away. Horror overwhelmed me at the thought of Alex in Tex's hands. I had to get him back. Whatever it took. I needed to save Alex.

"You mustn't let them hurt him. You owe me that." Tears started to wet my face.

Christopher looked into my eyes for the first time since we came back from the League's time. Despite the darkness around us, interrupted by the continuous flashes of lightning, I was suddenly very aware of his scrutinising stare.