21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Cliff

’

s Notes

I’m walking back from the library late at night, my arms laden with books. The campus is quiet, the usual hum of students absent, thanks to the late hour. I’m lost in thought, the events of the past few weeks playing on a loop in my mind.

I don’t notice the black car pulling up beside me until it’s too late.

The door swings open, a gloved hand reaching out and grabbing my arm. I’m pulled off-balance, books scattering across the pavement. I open my mouth to scream, but a hand clamps down, muffling the sound. I’m shoved into the car, the door slamming shut behind me. The car speeds off, leaving my books strewn across the sidewalk.

I struggle, kicking and biting, but my captor is strong.

He pins me down, his face coming into view. Luca Andini. His eyes are wild, desperate. I stop struggling, shock coursing through me.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demand, my voice shaking.

Luca’s laugh is harsh, bitter. “I’m taking matters into my own hands.”

The car speeds through the night, leaving the campus behind. I look out the window, trying to memorize the route, but the streets are a blur. We pull up to the large old manor house, the same one we were in where the blasphemous ceremony took place.

Iron gates slam shut behind us.

Luca drags me out of the car, his grip bruising. I look around, taking in the dimly lit space. It’s filled with crates and boxes, a maze of shadows. I try to pull away, but Luca’s grip tightens.

“Let me go,” I say, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

Luca shakes his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “I can’t do that, Ms. Hill. You’re my insurance policy.”

“Insurance policy?” I echo, confusion warring with fear.

Luca nods, pulling me toward a chair in the center of the room. He forces me to sit, his hands rough as he ties my wrists behind my back. “Yes, you see, I’m in a bit of a predicament. Thanks to that meddling friend of yours and her little blog, I’ve lost everything. My position, my power, my money.”

“You mean the money you stole,” I say, anger rising.

Luca’s eyes flash, but he doesn’t deny it. “Yes, well, it was mine to take. And now, thanks to you and your friends, I’m a wanted man. I can’t leave the country; I can’t access my accounts. I’m trapped.”

“So, what, you’re going to hold me hostage until what? They give you a plane and a pile of cash?” I scoff, even as fear snakes up my spine.

Luca leans in, his face inches from mine. His eyes are bloodshot, his breath reeking of desperation. “I’m a cornered wolf, Ms. Hill. And cornered wolves are dangerous. I have nothing left to lose, and that makes me very, very unstable.”

His words send a chill down my spine. I’m in deep trouble. I need to find a way out, and fast. But for now, I’m at Luca’s mercy, trapped in this basement with a desperate, dangerous man. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. I need to keep my wits about me if I’m going to survive this.

“You think this is going to work?” I say, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. “You think holding me hostage is going to get you what you want?”

He paces. “It’s the only chance I have left.”

“And what happens when they catch you?”

His eyes flash, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “I have a plan.”

“A plan?” I scoff. “Like the plan you had to steal from the scholarship fund? Like the plan you had to take over the liberal arts department? Look how well those turned out.”

His eyes are cold, calculating. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? You think you have it all figured out. But you don’t know anything. You don’t know the power I hold, the connections I have.”

“Power?” I laugh, a harsh, bitter sound. “What power do you have left, Luca? You’re a disgraced professor on the run. You have nothing left.”

“I have you, Ms. Hill. And that’s enough.”

“Enough for what?” It’s not a great idea to taunt a man holding a gun, but I’m through being meek for him. And for the Society. I’m a cornered wolf, too. I’ve already lost everything that mattered to me. “Enough to get you killed? Because that’s what’s going to happen. You think you’re the first desperate man to take a hostage? You think this is going to end well for you?”

His voice drops to a low growl. “It will if you cooperate.”

“Cooperate?” I echo. “You think I’m going to help you?”

A cold, cruel smile. “I think you’re going to do exactly what I say, Ms. Hill. Because if you don’t, people are going to get hurt. And I don’t think you want that on your conscience.”

I stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “Fuck you.”

He laughs. “This is power. Didn’t you read Macbeth ?”

“Yes, and I read about his head on a pike. Or didn’t you read your copy of Cliff’s Notes to the end?”

He narrows his eyes at me, not liking the insult. Good.

“You’re going to regret that,” he says, his voice low, dangerous. “You’re going to regret ever crossing me.” His eyes gleam with a sickening lust as he reaches out, his hand tracing the line of my jaw.

I flinch away, but he grips my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“You know, I’ve always wondered what Stratford saw in you,” he muses, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “Now I think I understand.”

I gather every ounce of courage and saliva in my mouth and spit, hitting him square in the face. His expression darkens, and before I can brace myself, his hand cracks across my cheek.

Pain explodes in my face, stars dancing in my vision.

“You little bitch,” he growls, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

Suddenly, the door to the basement creaks open, and Matteo steps in. My heart leaps at the sight of him, hope surging. He’s always been a jerk, but surely he won’t stand for this.

Luca turns to him, a scowl on his face. “What are you doing here?”

Matteo avoids my gaze, his expression unreadable. “You left your phone in the car. I thought you might need it.”

Luca snatches the phone from Matteo’s hand, his eyes narrowing. “You shouldn’t be down here.”

Matteo’s gaze flickers to me, then away. “People will notice if she’s gone.”

“Let them wonder.”

A tense nod. Matteo knows this is wrong. I can see it in his eyes. But he says nothing, does nothing. My spirits sink as I realize he’s not here to help me.

Luca turns back to me. “I have some business to attend to. But don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. And then we can continue where we left off.”