Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 207

Chapter 207

CELESTE

The first thing I registered was the ache in my shoulders, a dull throbbing that traveled up my neck and settled behind my eyes. The second thing was the rough texture of rope biting into my wrists, the kind of friction that promised bruises before I even opened my eyes to confirm my situation.

I forced my lids apart and the world swam into focus. A ceiling I did not recognize. Walls painted a pale yellow that felt deliberately cheerful in a way that made my stomach turn. was sitting on a wooden chair, my arms pulled behind my back, the rope wrapped around my wrists so tight that my fingers had started to tingle.

Kidnapped.

The word landed in my chest like a stone dropped into still water, sending ripples of cold dread through every part of me.

Seraphine. That was the first name that surfaced, the most obvious conclusion. Who else would want me tied to a chair in a

Who else stranger’s house? Who else had the combination of spite and boldness to pull something like this off? Julian had been begging for my forgiveness. He would not dare. But Seraphine? She had already tried to destroy me once. This was just the sequel.

I tested the rope again, wincing as it bit into my skin. My fingers were already going numb. I needed to think. I needed to get out of here before whoever did this came back.

And then I remembered the bracelet.

The silver cuff Dominic had slid onto my wrist three days ago, his fingers lingering against my pulse point as he fastened it.” Keep this on,” he had said. “Always.”

I had assumed it was a gift, a piece of jewelry chosen for its delicate shimmer. But when I had examined it later, I had found the tiny catch, the hidden blade no longer than my thumbnail but sharp enough to slice through most things.

I twisted my arm, feeling for the clasp. My fingers brushed against it and I almost sobbed with relief. I adjusted my angle, pressing the hidden blade against the rope, and began to saw. The motion was awkward, my wrists bound too close together for proper leverage, but I kept at it, feeling the fibers give way millimeter by millimeter.

The door swung open.

Light flooded the room, a harsh overhead bulb that made me squint. A figure stepped through and I blinked repeatedly, trying to adjust, trying to make sense of the silhouette moving toward me.

My eyes cleared.

I stared.

Of all the faces I had expected to see, hers was not on the list. Not even close.

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