Lila thought that surviving abduction was the hardest fight of her life, that after making it out alive she would have the freedom to enjoy a somewhat normal life. She was wrong. After Nikolai disappears, she finds herself spiraling out of control. Three months later she’s become more reckless and defiant than ever. Every drink, every bad decision, every step closer to danger is meant as a dare. She wants him furious, and more importantly, she wants him back.
Nikolai swore that leaving her behind was the only way to keep her alive. But his obsession isn’t something that he can easily break away from. Distance was supposed to keep her safe, but watching her unravel only pulls him closer. And when new threats start closing in, it becomes clear that Lila’s in more danger now than ever before.
I take my time getting ready, but not because I care about looking good. This isn’t about vanity. It’s about control, it’s about putting on a show I know he’ll see, if he’s watching, that is. And I think he is. Sure, there’s been no messages, calls. Or any signs of life really.
But I know him and I know how he operates. If he’s not touching me, he’s watching me. Tracking me and waiting in the dark like he always does. He’s tried this before. Tried ignoring me and leaving me to wonder what happened in silence.
It was like he was pretending I didn’t exist. But the second I threw myself at Carl, that’s when he snapped and showed up. So, maybe doing something similar is all it takes. Maybe it’ll take something reckless and loud. Something he can’t ignore if he is actually paying attention.
I’m not playing by his fucking rules anymore. He doesn’t get to disappear and still control the board. I deserve answers, and if dragging him out of the shadows means flirting with danger, then fine. Let’s see how long he can hold out this time. And if he isn’t watching and I’m just walking into danger like some ditsy woman in some bad movie, well, then maybe I’m the idiot. But at least it’ll feel like something. Anything is better than this numb, hollow ache I’ve been drowning in for months
