Chapter 25

Roman and Kat are gone for two weeks. It is complete agony for Reese. She feels all alone in the world. She continues working at the studio but avoids Luca. If he comes to the studio she leaves for lunch or says she has a meeting. She will only speak to him through email or texts and never on her personal phone.

She finally breaks down and tells Kat and Roman what happened the night before they come home. She did not want them worrying about her while Kat was transitioning into a vampire. The process is stressful enough. She knew Kat would be worried and want to come home to check on her.

“Why don’t you go out with a friend,” Kat suggested.

“Because my only friend is in the Bahamas,” Reese says.

“I will be back in one more day. I can’t wait to see you. Roman is worried sick since you told him,” Kat says.

“I know that is why I did not tell him until today. The only reason I told him was so he wouldn’t be here when he got mad,” Reese says.

“Our house isn’t ready, can we stay with you a few days?” Kat asks.

“I thought it was ready. If you are worried about me don’t be. I will be fine,” Reese says.

“It is settled we will be there tomorrow evening,” Kat says.

“You are as bad as Roman,” Reese says.

“Love you,” Kat says as she hangs up the phone.

Reese decides Kat is right. She can go down to the R bar and get a drink to relax, but she doesn’t want to do it alone. She picks up her phone and scrolls through her contacts and lands on Thomas.

She taps on his name and clicks the text icon.

*hey I am going to the R bar, Want to join me?*

Reese sits her phone down. “I’m going alone,” she says.

She grabs her purse and her phone and heads out of her apartment. She checks to see if there is an uber close by and orders one. She waits for a moment in front of her apartment.

A car pulls up. “Need a ride?” a voice from inside the car says.

“I’m waiting on an uber, but thanks,” she says.

Thomas gets out of the car. “Cancel it. I will be your driver tonight,” he says.

He opens the door for her and she gets in. Luca is watching from across the street. He sees everything. He is infuriated. He follows them.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear from you,” Thomas says.

“I thought you might be good company,” Reese says.

“I heard your brother married Kitty Kat. Wow, that’s awesome,” Thomas says.

“They are coming back from the Bahamas tomorrow,” Reese says.

“How’d the transition go?” Thomas asks.

“She was a champ according to Roman,” Reese says.

“I am glad to hear it. I always like her,” Thomas says.

“You are running the studio still?”Thomas asks.

“Yes, I promoted Kat to my PA,” Reese says.

They pull into the R bar. Thomas comes around and opens the door for Reese. “My lady,” he says.

The two go into the bar. He holds the door open for her and they sit in the back. “Do you want something to eat?” Thomas asks.

“Tequila,” Reese says.

“I am getting a hamburger,” Thomas says.

“Me too,” Reese says.

“Tell me how you’ve been?” Thomas asks.

“You want to know if I am still seeing Luca,” Reese says.

“Yeah, are you?” Thomas asks.

“I broke it off a few weeks ago,” Reese says.

“It is really unhealthy the way he is with you,” Thomas says.

“I know. It took me a minute to figure it out but I had to get away from him,” Reese says.

“I’m glad. You are far too special for all of that,” Thomas says.

“I don’t know about all of that, but I do know he was a bit possessive,” Reese says.

“Did he tell you I came by your apartment?” Thomas says.

“I told him I knew,” Reese says.

The waitress comes over and takes their order.

“Two hamburgers rare, extra fries, and a bottle of Tequila,” Thomas tells the waitress.

“I will be right back with that bottle,” she says.

“So tell me what you are doing now?” Reese inquires.

“I am working for your competition,” Thomas says.

“Oh really,” Reese says.

“Actually I have been tasked with recruiting you,” Thomas says.

“And see I thought this was all pleasure. I had no idea we were conducting business,” Reese says.

“I am serious. You have really made a name for yourself. You should really come work for us. It cannot be easy working with Luca,” Thomas says.

Reese leans back in her chair. “It is difficult, but I would never leave Kat behind,” Reese says.

“You could bring her with you as your PA,” Thomas says.

The waitress comes back with the bottle. “I will think about it. Can I give you an answer after Kat comes back,” Reese says.

“Sure, it is a big decision. Don’t make it lightly. Talk it over with Kat,” Thomas says.

“Excuse me, Thomas, I am going to step into the ladies' room,” Reese says.

Reese leaves her purse and phone at the table. She walks across the bar to the ladies' room. As she opens the door to the ladies' room someone grabs her and pulls her out of the bar.

“What the hell?” She screams through the hand muffling her mouth.

She pulls away and turns around. “What are you doing here with him?” Luca says.

“It’s business, Luca,” she says.

“Looks awful cozy,” Luca says.

“What I do is none of your business remember you don’t want to be with me!” she screams at him.

“What kind of business?” Luca asks.

“His company offered me a job,” she says.

“Are you leaving the studio?” Luca asks.

“I wasn’t thinking about it for real but now that I have been assaulted by my boss, I just might,” Reese says.

“I just wanted to talk to you,” Luca says.

“Then send me an email,” Reese says.

“No, I need to talk to you, Reese. After you left after you walked away after you just you just well you just walked out,” Luca says.

“You are crazy,” She screams at Luca.

Reese begins to walk away from Luca, he grabs her and drags her to his car. He forces her into the car. He reaches into the backseat and grabs ties. He ties her hands and feet. He puts a seatbelt on her. Luca walks around to the other side and gets into the car. He takes off.

Thomas catches the end of the scene but is too late. He goes back to the table and grabs Reese’s phone. He scrolls through to find Roman. He calls Roman who picks up immediately.

“Sister,” Roman says.

“No it's Thomas,” he says.

“What’s wrong with my sister,” Roman says.

“It’s Luca he has kidnapped her, what do you want me to do?” Thomas says.

“Go to her apartment and wait. We will catch the first flight out. Don’t call the police. I am going to kill him,” Roman says.