Chapter 89
Vincent raced down the highway in a white van, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror every few seconds. Harrison lay motionless in the backseat, her porcelain skin ghostly pale under the dim interior lights.
His gaze traveled over her unconscious form with predatory hunger. The thought of having her completely at his mercy sent a rush of adrenaline through his veins. But he forced himself to stay focused. He needed to put distance between them and Willowbrook - somewhere remote where no one would think to look. Once there, she'd have no chance of escape. Then he could take his time.
The anticipation made his palms sweat. Just as his fantasies grew darker, the car ahead slammed its brakes, forcing him to swerve violently.
"What the hell?" he growled, squinting through the windshield.
A sea of brake lights stretched before him. Drivers were leaning out their windows, voices rising in confusion.
"Roadblock ahead!" someone shouted. "They're searching every vehicle!"
Vincent's blood ran cold. His grip on the steering wheel turned white-knuckled as snippets of conversation reached him.
"Who has the authority to shut down an entire highway?"
"Are you joking? That's Nathaniel Falcon, CEO of Falcon Enterprises. This city answers to him. If he wants a road closed, it's closed."
"Mr. Falcon blocked the highway? Do you think he's searching for his runaway wife?"
"Don't be ridiculous. You've been reading too many romance novels."
Vincent's stomach dropped. Nathaniel was looking for Harrison.
Damn Victoria and her lies! She'd sworn Nathaniel didn't care about Harrison - that she was just a discarded wife. If that were true, why would the most powerful man in Willowbrook mobilize such resources?
Up ahead, uniformed officers moved systematically from car to car, drawing closer with each passing second.
Vincent couldn't wait to be caught. With a snarl, he threw open the van door, hauled Harrison's limp body into his arms, and disappeared into the dense forest lining the highway.
Harrison stirred as something cold and slimy touched her cheek. Her eyes flew open to find herself in a damp, shadowy cave, lying on a bed of musty straw.
Vincent loomed above her, his fingers tracing her jawline with revolting familiarity.
"Awake at last," he murmured, his voice thick with sickening satisfaction.
Pain throbbed at the base of Harrison's skull. His touch made her skin crawl, like insects skittering across her flesh. "Get your hands off me," she spat, her voice like ice.
Vincent only chuckled, his expression darkening with twisted amusement.
"Harrison, even as a child in that backwater village, you were breathtaking. I knew then that men would kill to possess you." His grip tightened painfully. "So why should I let anyone else have what's rightfully mine? You'll make the perfect wife."
Rage contorted his features as he continued.
"But you had to fight back. You took my eye and sent me to rot in prison for ten years!" He leaned closer, his breath hot against her face. "Look at you now. Still beneath me. No one's coming to save you, Harrison. You'll lie here and take what I give you. Just like you should have all those years ago."
Vincent's restraint shattered. He'd waited too long already, needing her awake to fully savor his revenge.
With a growl, he grabbed the collar of her blouse.
"Don't touch me!" Harrison screamed, thrashing wildly. Vincent's breathing grew ragged, his voice dripping with malice. "Who do you think will rescue you? Your precious husband Nathaniel?"
His lips curled into a vicious sneer as he remembered his narrow escape.
"Too late, princess. By the time he finds you, you'll be ruined. No man will want you after this - not even him!"