Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 465

She had no chance to fight back. Her arms and legs were instantly restrained, her screams muffled. The two men dragged her down to the underground parking garage and bundled her into a waiting car.

"Who are you?" Emma's mind raced, trying to figure out their motive. "If you want money, I can give it to you."

Her first thought was that this was fallout from her father's crimes. He was in prison, but maybe his debts weren't settled. Or perhaps it was her brother they were after.

The driver and the man holding her down exchanged a look in the rearview mirror when she mentioned money.

So it was about money.

"I won't ask who you are," she said, trying to stay calm. "Just tell me how much you want and how you want it paid. I'll give it to you. No police, no trouble." Her only goal was to survive.

But after their brief glance, they said nothing more. The man holding her just growled, "You'd better behave."

Emma couldn't see any weapons, at least not yet.

"I am behaving," she said, her voice steady. "I'm not struggling. I know I can't fight you or outrun you. That would be foolish. I just want to understand why you're doing this. If it's for money, there's an easier way. I told you, I can pay."

The night was dark, and the car was moving fast, leaving the city behind. She had no idea where they were taking her. If they just kept driving, what chance would she have?

*Sebastian.*

He was her only hope. He called her every night. Would she have a chance to answer if he called now? Her phone was in her purse, which her captors had taken.

As if on cue, her phone started ringing.

She was hoisted onto someone's shoulder.

What were they going to do? Throw her into the sea? Smuggle her onto a ship? How could they get past security?

As they carried her, she managed a single, desperate act. She kicked her foot just enough to slip one of her shoes off, hoping to leave a clue behind.

She was thrown into what felt like a large crate. It was lifted, jostled, and then dropped with a thud that sent a jolt of pain through her head. Then, silence.

She could hear footsteps moving back and forth above her, but her captors were gone. She was bound and helpless. A long, mournful blast of the ship's horn echoed through the hull, and she felt the gentle, unsettling lurch of movement.

She was on a ship. The ship was leaving the harbor.