Kyra's pov
As I met his gaze when he asked if I was okay, a rush of emotion surged within me. Despite the anxiety that clung to my chest, I assured him I was fine, dismissing it as trivial. He nodded with an understanding that made my heart race, and we settled into an easy rhythm as we ate and talked. I was astonished by how freely I shared my thoughts and feelings, revealing pieces of myself I'd never dared to expose to anyone else.
Once we finished our meal, a flicker of determination ignited within me, and I decided it was time to set my plans in motion. As I rummaged through my purse, my fingers trembled, and it slipped from my grasp, tumbling to the ground with a soft thud. Instinctively, he reached out to help, but in a moment of sheer panic, I struck him with my heels and dashed toward the door.
Elation bubbled within me, only to be swiftly snuffed out when I felt the powerful grip of his men around me. Damn it! In my haste, I had forgotten they weren't my parents' men—these were trained professionals, unwavering in their duty. I struggled to break free, but before I knew it, one of them had grappled me, tying my wrists tightly before shoving me into the back of a car.
As I sat there, disoriented and afraid, Liam's voice slithered into my ear, his whispered words sending shivers down my spine. I yearned to respond, to shout, to scream, but my voice remained trapped, silenced by the chaos of the moment.