Chapter 13

"Time to wake up, mutts." I jerk awake to Dr Evil looming over me with a golden-toothed grin.

My heart ferociously drums like a 20-piece marching band at the obnoxious wake-up call.

Blinking hard several times to clear my spotty vision, I feel like I've hardly slept. I woke up in the middle of the night in a desperate panic, seeking Eden's touch. Knowing we were on limited time made me want to soak up every ounce of him while I still could. Each touch and emotion shared with Eden is heightened. The surge of energy between us feels strong enough to start an electrical fire.

During the night, we had hours of pillow talk—not that we have pillows. This isn't the Hilton, after all. It's more like grotty mattress talk.

There's been a dramatic shift between us. What happened last night wasn't just sex. It was much more. It was everything. It was us giving ourselves over to each other and making a promise. A promise that we'd fight for a future together.

During our mattress talk, we didn't stress about what the next day may bring, we focused on learning more about each other and fantasising about the future. It's become a sort of game between us to tell one another what we'll do if we survive. Last night, Eden almost broke me when he said, "You know, if we survive, I'm taking you to Bulgaria to visit Emiliya. She'll show us her favourite places and we'll drink endless margaritas until we pass out. She'll be happy and healthy, and so will we. We'll get to live the life we both deserve."

Maybe we're being cruel to ourselves by making such plans when there's no guarantee they'll happen. But we need something to hold on to, and I'm more than happy to get lost in a fairytale if it stops me from completely losing it.

Last night, our hands explored every inch of one another with gentle and calming touches, completely indulging in the feel of each other. There were no barriers or second thoughts about where to touch or what to say. We let it all out with nothing left to hide. When we were lying face to face, I could almost block out the bitter chill and musty smell and pretend we were in my cosy bed. Alone and safe.

"Up you get, you're going on an adventure," Dr Evil smirks, attempting to drag me to my feet.

Eden sits up and reaches for my hand, locking our fingers.

"Shit, ok. I'm getting up," I mumble, pushing off the mattress to stand.

He unlocks my chain, but Eden doesn't release me, gripping my hand agonisingly tight as Dr Evil tries to pull me away.

Panic courses through Eden's eyes, pulling at the thumping muscle in my chest.

"Wait, does he have to go now? Can't we at least have breakfast together?" Eden pleads.

"Breakfast, ha. What do you think this place is? Would you also like me to show you to the onsite pool?" Dr Evil sneers.

Yep, definitely not the Hilton. Eden's shoulders deflate, and his bottom lip trembles.

"Say your goodbyes. You have ten seconds."

I'd prefer it if Dr Evil weren't present during our intimate moments, but I can't leave without giving him a real goodbye. I lean down and snake my arms around his neck. Eden climbs to his knees, so he's flushed against me. His muscular arms firmly wrap around my waist, clinging to me like I'm his last breath. His chain digs into my chest, but I force the uncomfortable feeling aside and hone in on the thump of his heart against mine. Breathing in his familiar scent, knowing it could be the last time. I bring my mouth to his ear as close as possible so Dr Evil can't hear.

"I'll be back, honey, I won't give up on you. I won't give up on us."

He pulls in a shaky breath and then twists his face. The hairs on my neck stand as his lips brush the shell of my ear, and he whispers, "Kai, I can't let you leave without telling you how I—"

"Right, enough of that," Dr Evil snaps, cutting him off.

Dr Evil's callus fingers grip the back of my neck as he yanks me away. Eden clings to me as long as he can, but I slip from his grasp. His olive eyes spill as I'm pulled out of the room.

I want to say something. Anything. But the words get stuck in my throat, and then the door slams shut, leaving nothing but fear in its wake. Eden calls my name, and the quiver in his voice feels like a knife twisting in my gut.

After ten days of imprisonment together, my heart snaps in two as we're torn apart. It feels like a limb has been cut off. An essential part of me is now missing. The thought of Eden being all alone here makes me feel physically ill. My skin is clammy, and my empty stomach aches.

It's hard to fathom that this could be it for us unless everything goes to plan. I still don't know what my job entails and don't care. As long as I get back to him, I'd do anything to keep him alive.

I can guess what Eden wanted to say before we were rudely ripped apart because I feel it, too. As deranged as it may seem, falling for someone in such atrocious circumstances in such a short amount of time, I can't help how I feel. Maybe it's the life-and-death situation that's accelerated my feelings for him. I have no fucking clue. But from the moment I set eyes on him, I knew he was supposed to be mine. They say you know when you know, and I fucking know. I've never been more sure about anything in my life. So, I can't afford to fuck this up. I'll play their twisted game if it gets me back to my man.

Dr Evil hauls me down the long and grimy corridor. I frantically scan my surroundings, looking for potential escape routes. Several rooms are hidden behind closed doors, but my legs seize when I pass the final room.

Jeremy's curled up on an iron-framed bed. I can't see his face because he's facing the opposite direction, but his rigid posture makes him look like he's clutching his stomach in agony. Under his head lies a flimsy pillow, and a ratty blanket covers half of his body. Beside the bed is a side table, a lamp and a mini fridge, but the room looks as gloomy as ours.

Do they force him to live in this revolting warehouse full-time? It only just occurs to me that he's always here. It makes sense that he lives here because he randomly comes to see us.

"Keep moving, you runt," Dr Evil barks, making my legs kick back into action.

We exit the corridor and enter a vast space with tall ceilings. There are stacks of brown packages leaning against every wall. The centre of the room is empty, apart from a single chair with thick rope dangling from the arms and legs. Spots of dried blood stain the floor in front of the chair. A cold shiver washes over me at the grim sight. I have a sinking feeling some of the blood belongs to Jeremy.

Two security-looking guys dressed in all black casually lean against a window ledge, playing on their phones. I bet their hench arms could snap my neck in half with a light squeeze. When they notice us, they stand up straight, shoving their phones away and staring at us blankly.

Pete sits in the corner at a mahogany desk, counting piles of cash with a cigarette loosely hanging out of his mouth.

"Alright, boss." Pete nods, but Dr Evil grunts in response and pushes me towards the chair.

"Take a seat, mutt. We have lots to discuss before your trip."

Dr Evil shoves me back onto the chair with such force it almost tips over. I swing my feet down to catch myself before I fall backwards. He doesn't restrain me, which isn't a surprise, as if I'd make a run for it and risk Eden's life. I shift in my seat, twisting my head in every direction, so I can mentally log my depressing surroundings. As I take it all in, my skin prickles, sensing the harrowing essence that fills the space. I feel like I'm being haunted by the people who've undoubtedly died in this room. Mould paints the walls, and a bitter draft whirls through, forcing a shiver down my spine, or maybe it's the spirits of the lives lost here.

Dr Evil strolls over to the security and talks to them hushedly. I strain my ears but struggle to hear. Sitting forward on the edge of my chair, I catch Dr Evil saying ten kilos, and my mind trips. Ten kilos of what? I feel my breaths becoming laboured, and perspiration coats my palms.

Surely, they're not going to make me smuggle that much. That's insane. If I'm caught, I'm pretty sure I could get life in prison for that amount of drugs, and Eden would be dead. I dig my fingers into my thighs, squeezing hard to stop them vibrating.

"You alright, Kai? You're looking a bit pale," Pete taunts.

I huff loudly and scowl at his horse-like face. I start fantasising about shoving a screwdriver into his thick skull, and surprisingly, imagining him bleeding out calms me.

"What are you staring at, you freak?" Pete hisses, awkwardly shuffling the money in his hands.

I shake the thought. Obviously, spending too much time with these psychopaths has made me a little stabby.

"Shut up," Dr Evil bites, snapping his head to give Pete a murderous glare.

Redness creeps up Pete's neck and cheeks. He meekly averts his eyes as he continues counting the stacks of cash. I smirk to myself. It's always fun seeing Pete act like a little bitch. Dr Evil wraps up his conversation with the hench bastards and then saunters towards me.

"Right, let's get down to business. Have you learnt all the details on your new passport?"

I toy with the idea of mocking the stupid name he gave me but think better of it. I know what happens when you don't follow orders, and I fancy keeping my gut hole-free. I repeat everything I learnt from my ID, and he seems pleased, judging by the creepy smile that spreads across his weathered face.

"Great, you've always been the best-behaved mutt, haven't you, Kai?"

Pete chuckles, and I swing my head to growl at him. Fucking Pete always trying to get involved.

Dr Evil grins and then loudly claps his hands together, forcing my attention back to him.

"Here's the deal, you're going to France, lucky you. You'll be getting on a Ferry going from Dover to Calais. We'll be tracking the car, but don't try looking for the tracker. It's well hidden. If we clock that you've tampered with it or realise you're heading in the wrong direction, Eden's dead. And rest assured, I'll make sure it's excruciatingly painful and drawn out."

I swallow hard, my mouth becoming increasingly dry.

"As you may have guessed, you'll deliver a package for us. That will also be stowed away where no one can find it. We have some delightful personnel working for us at the border, so they know to expect you. But not all of them are on a roster. It's in your best interest to avoid attracting suspicion. You wouldn't want to end up in prison with a dead boyfriend now, would you?"

I grunt in response because I don't want to give Dr Evil any excuse to go all murderous on my arse.

"My friends here will drive you to Dover, where they'll drop you off and prepare your vehicle." He nods towards the security guys. "Then you'll make your way to the ferry port. You'll stay in the car the whole time. Once you arrive, you'll go directly to an address preprogrammed into the satnav. Some of my colleagues will meet you there, and there'll be an exchange. Once that's done, all you have to do is turn that car around and hop on the next ferry, and then you can reunite with your precious boyfriend. Sound good?"

"Yes, ok, sure," I force out through my clenched jaw.

He reaches forward and ruffles my hair, and a fire erupts in my core.

"Good dog." He grins.

It takes everything in my power not to bite off his chubby fingers as his hand retreats and show him how feral I can really be.

For the next hour, I watch them prepare for my delivery, packing brown packages and wads of cash into duffle bags. One of the security guys shoves a dry sandwich and bottle of water at me, then drags me to a bathroom to freshen up and gives me fresh clothes. I'm in the most repulsive light-wash blue jeans and a bright red hoodie. I'm serving Elmo from Sesame Street- very inconspicuous.

Surprisingly, he did give me my chunky boots back, but they look ridiculous with these jeans. I'm honestly embarrassed by this fit. I'd never usually be caught dead wearing so much colour.

The security guys lead me to their blacked-out Range Rover. I inhale deeply. Crisp air penetrates my lungs, and I feel like a newborn baby taking its first breath. My eyes squint in the natural daylight, but it feels freeing. I don't have long to appreciate the open air because they bind my wrists with rope, slip a blindfold over my eyes, and shove me inside the car.

While I simmer in complete darkness on our long journey, Eden's handsome face comes to mind. I take deep breaths through my nose and keep his image present, which somewhat calms the chaos swarming my mind. Eden's life depends on the success of this trip, so I have to keep it together for him.