Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
After a long descent, the elevator doors open to a gleaming lobby that’s notably empty. Eugene, the night security for the building, is also absent from his desk. It’s not unusual for him to take a smoke break with Tony, so I don’t give it much thought. But as I approach the glass door and peer outside, I don’t see either of them.
A resigned feeling settles over me as I check my phone. It’s powered up again, and I have service now. But just as I’m about to dial Tony, the power in the building cuts off and everything around me goes dark.
A primal awareness sinks into my gut as goosebumps ripple over my exposed arms. My phone chimes, making me jump, and I nearly drop it as I glance at the message. It’s from a different number, but there’s no question who it is.
Want to guess where I am, Abella?
The air leaves my lungs in a rush as I spin around in a circle, fear grabbing me by the throat. He’s toying with me, and I have no doubt he’s watching me from somewhere in the building. But where the hell are Tony and Eugene?
Suddenly, this game between us doesn’t feel so harmless.
My first instinct is to run to the front doors, but when I try to push them open, I’m met with the terrifying realization that they’re locked. A cold sweat settles over my skin as I try to remember how to breathe.
He has me trapped, and the elevator is no longer an option with the power off. That leaves me two choices. Wait for him to come to the lobby, where there’s nowhere to hide, or chance the stairwell, knowing he could very well be in there already. As I’m considering it, another message comes through.
Tick tock, cara. Time’s almost up.
I choke down my panic and make a split-second decision. Stairwell, it is.
When I fling open the door and step inside, darkness entombs me. With trembling fingers, I use my phone as a flashlight to guide me up the stairs.
My heels slap against the concrete, echoing like gunshots off the walls. I keep climbing, not even certain what level I’m on, when my phone flashes a low battery warning.
“Not now,” I groan in frustration.
I pause to weigh my options. I could stop on my floor and use my badge to open one of the conference rooms, or I can conserve my battery power and huff it all the way up to the rooftop garden.
Considering my stalker has been watching me at work, there’s every chance he might already be waiting on my floor. Either way, as long as I’m in the stairwell, I don’t have cell service, and I’m on my own.
Making another quick decision, I kick off my heels and abandon them as I continue to climb. My muscles burn with every step, but I can’t stop. Adrenaline gives me the push that I need to transcend the pain.
After successfully navigating so many landings without obstacle, some of my immediate fear ebbs away, and I fall into a good rhythm. Minutes pass. Ten, then twenty. I only allow myself to glance at the time on my phone every ten floors. And then, eventually, I run out of floors and come to a stop at the exit to the rooftop garden.
All the access points in this building are designed with battery backups or fail-safe locks in the event of a power outage. This one in particular has a battery backup, which gives me a small amount of hope that it will buy me some time. My stalker has already proven he can access the cameras and control the power to the building, so a lock won’t stop him. All I can hope is that it will slow him down long enough for me to call for help.
Swiping my badge, I shove my weight against the door as soon as the light blinks green, and I spill out onto the sky terrace. Sucking in a breath of fresh air like it’s my lifeline, I open the contacts on my phone and try to dial IVI security headquarters, only to have it disconnect before it even rings.
“What the hell?” I growl.
Did you think I would make it easy on you?
My head snaps up after I read his message, and I glance around, scanning every shadowy space on the terrace. I don’t see him, and I’m starting to wonder if this is just one of his twisted games.
Maybe he isn’t even really here.
I suck in a breath and tap out a response.
What do you want?
“I would think that was obvious by now.” The heat of his breath on the back of my neck sends an explosive surge of terror through me.
Instinct has me turning back for the door, but as I try to open it, an arm reaches over my head and slams it shut again.