Chapter 21

James finally ran out of patience. He yanked the woman out and shoved her into the passenger seat of his car. He floored the gas pedal, racing down the road. His face was dark as thunderclouds, and the sharp contour of his jaw looked even more menacing under the cold streetlights. The world blurred past in a dizzying rush, and Emily turned pale as a sheet. She clung to the leather seat, chest heaving with fear. When they got to the Carter apartment, the sight of the empty house sent a chill straight through her. Not a single soul in the massive place. Anxiety took hold. She stammered, panicked, "James... wh-what are you doing..." He didn't say a word, just grabbed her arm and dragged her in roughly, leading her down to the basement. The dim basement was cold and bone-chilling. Emily shivered uncontrollably, her voice desperate. "James, why can't you just let me go?!" "Let you go?" The man's gaze turned icy. He grabbed her jaw tightly. "Let you run away with him? Or let you try to kill