Chapter 2

Two

Regan

I wanted to slouch back on the stiff couch, but it wasn't designed for it. Every piece of furniture in my dad's office felt like this—stiff, expensive, and antique. It demanded perfect posture, so I sat up straight, enduring the discomfort while my dad outlined my to-do list for the next two weeks.

As he listed each event, I realized how little I would be needed at each one. They were all for him and his business. Sometimes, it felt like I was taking up space, contributing nothing, and the embarrassment of it made me want to hide. But for him, I would always do it.

My dad ran the largest security company in the city. I had dreamed of taking over one day since the moment he told me how much a family legacy meant to him. It's why I gave up any dream I had of going to art school and went to a top college to get my business degree, hoping he'd give me a chance. But now he seemed more focused on growing his business than preparing me to inherit it. And with his illness, I couldn't demand more.

He had told me last year, and we knew the illness would kill him. He had amyloidosis, a condition which would eventually shut down his organs. Treatment only prolonged his life. We had come to terms with it over the past year, but I wanted every minute with him to count. His success remained unmatched, and I wanted to learn everything, but he hadn't let me start yet. I had taken all the right steps, but he still seemed to think I wasn't ready. Maybe he wanted a perfect legacy left, or he didn't want to face me taking over one day anyway, but I still needed to learn.

The tasks he had given me were usually along the lines of going to parties and smiling for everyone in town he might know. A new way to keep him on their mind without him having to lift a finger, and I had agreed to keep doing it, but I hated going. The crowds, the small talk, the looks expecting me to say something smart and funny only made me freeze with anxiety. I rarely spoke to people because I didn't know anyone, and besides those parties, he didn't love me going out. The one he continued droning on about now was apparently another extremely important dinner party coming up soon that would be filled with clients and partners of his business that I needed to help keep happy.

I tried not to roll my eyes. I felt worth more than sitting around here. I wanted challenges, I wanted adventure, and I wanted a life more than sitting around my house. If he would realize I'm capable of more. He kept running himself to the ground and I knew no doctor could be approving of it. I didn't know if his health or the stress caused it, but he didn't seem to want me to leave as much. Still, I listened, hoping to make him see I could help him.

I could do…things. I wasn't exactly sure what he would need me to do, but I still felt confident I could learn.

He continued talking, going on about how he wouldn't let us miss a single event since he had decided to run for mayor next year. It felt like he tried to pack an entire life into the next few years. I tried to understand and be there for it all, but sitting there and looking pretty for parties was burning me out.

"Those are all fine with me," I said, knowing my agreeing would at least let me get out of the house tonight. "I have plans tonight with Elliot. There's a new art exhibit we are going to."

"Fine. Fine," he said, shuffling through a few more papers. "I'll see you tomorrow at some point."

He didn't glance up as we spoke. It had become common enough, talking to him while he stared at a phone, but it didn't get easier. Each time, I felt a little more rejected and wondered if I truly was boring.

I didn't get out much anymore since he always wanted me to stay home to be safe. I didn't have any hobbies besides painting and looking at art. I didn't have a job, and as much as I wanted one from my dad, I wasn't getting one, apparently. And there really was only so much I could do from the confines of this house. I stayed around to help with anything he needed, but he seemed to need less and less from me.

Maybe I had become dull.

"Alright." I jumped up, giving him a quick hug before heading to the door. "I guess I'll see you then."

I needed to get out and stop the spiral of doom I seemed to be headed down.

This meant another weekend basically alone in this giant house, since he would stick to his side. Nothing seemed wrong with our house, except its enormous size, and when you spend days alone inside, you start to get a little paranoid.

So on the list of getting to know me, I could add dull and paranoid. I rolled my eyes as I headed down the sidewalk. I really sounded like a great time.

It's my life, though, and I could have worse problems.

At least for now, I would get out of the house, and hopefully not be alone all night.

I always loved going to a new art exhibit.

What I quickly realized I didn't love, though, was going with Elliot.

I turned to the next painting, looking over the dark black splashed against the blue paint. It took me three steps back before I realized the artist had meant it to be an eye. The bright blue of it took my breath away.

"How much longer are we looking at this one?" Elliot asked.

"I just stepped in front of it," I said, attempting a small laugh.

He nearly stomped his feet, so I moved on to the next. Swirls of black, red, and yellow made up one bright night sky on fire. At least when my life didn't give me much to feel about it, art did.

"Come on," he said, nuzzling into my neck. "We can go find so many other things to be doing. Very fun, very entertaining things."

As soon as he said it, I knew it wouldn't stop. Anything I said would be met with some sort of sex-related joke until I gave in. It's not like I didn't like Elliot at all. He was fine, but something about the way he went about initiating sex always turned me off.

We moved around the next aisle of paintings, and he pulled at my arm. "Regan," he said, nodding towards the door.

"You know what? I do have to get home," I said, smiling. "We should go."

Of course, I didn't have to get home. Nothing waited there for me, but there wasn't a chance of me wanting to stay here any longer with him.

Elliot eagerly nodded and headed for our coats. I pulled out my phone to text Harper. My best friend knew me well enough to know I would be texting her during my date at some point. I might as well start early.

Regan

Busy later?

Harper

Unfortunately. A by-product of divorce is being fought over. Which honestly should be flattering, but it's getting old.

Aren't you with Elliot tonight?

Regan

I am, and I'm ready to head home. I want a movie, my bed, and a chocolate chip cookie.

Harper

You do understand you could get those things and sit in bed with Elliot?

Regan

You know Elliot, so you know it's not really a thing he will do.

Harper

I know. What type of weirdo doesn't want to hang around half naked with his girlfriend and eat cookies? Honestly, it's grounds to break up with him.

Regan

Maybe he'll change his mind tonight.

Harper

For your sake, I hope.

Text me when you're home, so I know Elliot didn't snap and lock you in his basement.

Regan

Not funny.

We had been watching endless Dateline episodes, which put both of us on guard now. Harper was convinced Elliot would snap one day, and I was starting to agree with her. Lately, he seemed jumpy with every little thing making him spook, but I couldn't figure out why.

I slid my phone back in my bag and headed to the door, already seeing Elliot waiting with my coat.

I truly wasn't desperate enough to be flattered at how eager he seemed tonight.

This date wouldn't make it past the drive home, and I hoped he would understand enough not to push it.

Elliot could be fun. He could be endless, careless fun, and while it felt perfect sometimes, it wasn't what I wanted tonight.

His hand slipped into mine as he pulled me out onto the sidewalk and immediately took a right turn.

"What are you doing? The car is the opposite way."

"I know," he said, smiling. "I have a place I want to show you."

"What kind of place?"

"There's a nice little overlook to the river down here, and I think you would like it."

"Is this a romantic overlook or a new place for you to attempt your public sex dreams? And down this way? Really?"

The path leading down to whatever overlook he wanted to go to looked less like a cute romantic walk and more like a horror movie. The lights grew farther and farther apart, and the shops only more run down with each block.

"Yeah, right down here."

It seemed strange, but I still I followed him. While sitting in bed eating cookies sounded great, I really wasn't looking forward to another night alone in the giant house.

"Elliot, this doesn't seem like a great idea. Maybe we should turn back. There's plenty of other places we could go."

He wrapped an arm around me. "It's alright, babe. It's not far. I've got you. I won't let anything happen to you."

An engine rumbled behind us, its deep growl cutting through the quiet night. I turned my head, a shiver moving down my spine.

A blacked-out motorcycle idled down the road. The headlights were off, but a thin line of pink-hued lights ran underneath it. The glow of them oddly cute for where we were.

The clothes the rider wore were as black as the bike, making them nearly blend into the night. I kept my eye on him as we kept going. The rider slowly sat up, cocking his head in my direction, as if he realized I watched him.

It felt like his eyes were boring into me, even from a distance, but the helmet obscured his face to know for sure.

I grabbed Elliot's hand, squeezing it hard as my heart rate spiked. My gut screamed something was wrong. "Is the motorcycle following us?" I whispered.

Elliot glanced back, his eyes widening before he whipped back around, picking up his pace. "I doubt it. Why would a motorcycle be following us?" he said, trying to sound calm, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.

We walked faster, but the engine's roar persisted, growing louder and closer. My grip on Elliot's hand tightened, sweat forming on my palm.

Each step felt heavier, the darkness around us thickening, pulling us into its suffocating embrace. The eerie shadows between broken streetlights making my skin crawl.

I glanced back. The motorcycle came closer now, its engine rumbling like a predator stalking its prey.

"Elliot," I whispered. "He's definitely following us."

Elliot didn't respond, but he picked up his pace again. His hand shook in mine, and I realized he felt as scared as I did.

So much for his assurances about nothing bad happening to me. We barely made it two blocks before it was clear we were being hunted.

Every hair on my body stood on end, screaming danger. The road split, and Elliot pulled me to the left. The city sounds faded, drowned out by the motorcycle's roar.

"We need to get out of here," I said, trembling. "Now."

Elliot nodded, finally matching my urgency. We started jogging, but the motorcycle's engine revved, the sound sending another jolt of fear through me.

It was too close.

Without warning, the motorcycle roared past us, cutting us off near an alley. He skidded to a halt, the tires screeching, blocking our path as my breath hitched.

The rider stayed silent, cocking his head as if amused by our fear. We could try to run, but the motorcycle would easily catch up.

We were trapped, with no clear way out.