Ace Killian

chapter 2: My escape

Naomi's P.O.V

I woke up woozy and lightheaded from whatever they had slipped me. Looking around the room was shockingly pretty for a place that felt like a prison -grey silk sheets, a white vanity, a chandelier that threw soft lights across the ceiling. a couch sat opposite the bed, and a dresser hugged the far wall. outside the window, trees rolled away into the distance like an ocean of green.

I touched my face and found my hair pinned back. 

 I stumbled toward the mirror, still dizzy, and my vision a bit foggy. 

a simple white silk top and shorts covered me.

when had I showered? who had dressed me? 

i thought barely hearing the door open behind me.

"It's about time " a man said, closing the door. he moved with easy confidence of someone used to being obeyed - grey suit, brown hair, brown eyes and a muscular build that could be used to give out orders.

 "I'm jake. come with me - I'll get you something to eat" 

i didn't move. he smiled, but there was a devilish tilt to it that made my skin crawl. "i don't bite - unless you want me too"

 three feet. that's how much space I kept between us as I followed him through the villa. everything was tasteful, expensive: marble floors, art on the walls, expensive furniture. Whoever owned this place had money to burn.

the house was full of men in suits, some with guns slung low. my knees grew weak.

jake gripped my arm and pulled me toward the kitchen "Stay focused" he hissed.

a girl in a maid uniform appeared, wiping the counter with a practiced smile. she had warm hazel eyes and smooth caramel skin - and the kind of face that made you feel safe.

"Stacy, get her something to eat" Jake said, already walking away.

"What would you like to eat" Stacy asked bright and steady.

anything" I managed, and sank on the stool

...

after I ate, I talked with Stacy, testing her like a drowning person testing the water for depth.

"Stacy, do you know who owns this place" 

she hesitated " Mr. Killian. he's... the boss. He runs everything here"

I pause for a moment wondering if I could trust her.

i swallowed hard "Stacy..."

"My name's Naomi Stewart and I was kidnapped by your boss" 

she went still, the rag in her hand freezing mid wipe. i rushed to her side

"Stacy, please can you help me?"...what if you were me. would you want someone to help you"

i begged as she looked at me with sorrow in her eyes.

her eyes then slipped away, retuning to wipe the counter.

"I...I could get in a lot of trouble" she whispers unsure

" Point to the door. no one needs to know you were involved. I'll make sure of it" I say with pleading eyes and desperation in my tone.

Stacy's shoulders dropped. she took a long breath and nodded.

"Okay"

relief hit me so hard I hugged her before I thought about it.

"Thank you" I breathed.

...

we planned my escape in hushed, clumsy whispers. a diversion and an unlocked service door. my pulse thudded in my throat as we mapped out the route.

when the moment came, Stacy put on a show like a pro. 

jakes voice called from the hall. "Stacy!" panic laced his tone

as she was cleaning, she went still

here we go.

jake wiped his face and swore under his breath "where is she!"

"who?" she asked cluelessly

"the girl! FUCK ! ... Mr. Killian is going to kill us."

"Search the house" he ordered to the men around him

"Stay here in case she comes back" he ordered Stacy, then left to make a call.

Stacy didn't waste a second. She darted to the pantry and yanked the door open. "now' she whispered and pulled me through.

leading me to the back door she mouthed. "run"

I slipped out at the back, into the night that felt impossibly cold. I had no shoes and no coat. I sprinted until my breath came in stitches and I couldn't hear anything but my own feet on the gravel as it bit into my bare skin, but it didn't stop me. the air was sharp, clean, a terrifying slap of freedom. Behind me the villa shrank into the dark, and with every step I felt the world Widing again.

I didn't stop until I was sure I was safe - until the sounds of the estate were nothing more than a distant echo. 

Then finally I let myself fall onto the cold ground and sobbed until my lungs burned. I was free. I was alive. and for the first time in a long time, the future felt possible.