Chapter 2: No Escape

Liana's POV

The car turned onto a narrow dirt road hidden between the trees. Branches scraped the windows as we went deeper. The trees got thicker and it started getting dark. "The air coming through the vents got cold, and it smelled like wet dirt.” City sounds were gone completely now — no horns, no distant traffic, just the low hum of the engine and gravel crunching under the tires.

My fingers tightened around my bouquet. "Where are we going?"

"The driver smiled at me in the mirror. It wasn't a nice smile. I felt sick looking at it.

He pressed harder on the accelerator. The engine roared, the car surged forward, and I was thrown back against the seat.

"What are you doing?" My voice cracked. "Stop the car."

The driver let out a low chuckle. "You ask too many questions, Miss Hart."

I glanced toward the window, searching for anything — a house, a sign, a landmark I could remember later. Nothing but trees, blurring past too fast to count.

If this was about money, I could fix this. I had to try.

"Whatever this is — whoever's paying you — I'll double it. Triple it. Just name your amount and let me go."

He glanced at me in the mirror, almost amused. "This isn't about money, Miss Hart."

"Then what do you want?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

My eyes dropped to the door panel. There — a small button beside the handle. Child lock. I pressed it once, twice, my thumb pressing so hard it ached. Nothing happened. Of course. He'd have disabled it from the front.

I reached into my handbag instead, fingers closing around my phone. If I could just reach Grandpa. The police. Anyone.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said, watching me.

I unlocked the screen anyway and pressed Grandpa's name. Before the call connected, the car swerved hard. My phone flew from my hand and skidded across the floor.

I lunged for it, my fingers brushing the case before it slid just out of reach. He got there first, rolled down his window, and threw it out without even looking.

"God No—" I twisted around, watching it bounce once on the asphalt and vanish behind us.

 My only way of reaching anyone — gone.

I swallowed and forced my hands still in my lap, forced my breathing to slow. Panicking wouldn't get me out of this car.

The road narrowed further, the trees got so close the branches were scraping the roof, like fingernails dragging across it. Then, without warning, the car jolted to a stop.

The driver unbuckled his seat belt and opened his door. I immediately yanked at my handle, but it was still locked. I lunged across the seat, reaching for the driver's door, but he was already outside. Before I could react, the rear door was wrenched open from outside.

"Get out."

I shook my head, pressing myself back against the seat. "Please. Let me go."

"I won't ask again."

He grabbed my wrist and pulled. I cried out, my heels catching on the doorframe as he dragged me out, my dress tearing at the hem where it snagged on the door. My bouquet slipped from my hands and hit the rocky ground, white petals scattering across the stones, catching on thorns until they tore loose from the stems one by one.

I dug my heels into the dirt, grabbing for the open car door — my fingers found the frame and held. He yanked harder. My grip tore loose.

"Stop! You're hurting me!"

My words disappeared into the wind. Ahead, the cliff edge came into view — the sound of waves breaking against rock far below. He shoved me forward and let go. I stumbled, catching myself just short of the edge, the gravel cut into my hands.

Headlights cut through the dark.

A car rolled to a stop behind us, engine dying. A door swung open. Footsteps on gravel, unhurried, growing closer.

A pair of polished black heels touched the ground.

"Liana."

I knew that voice.