The end is near....

Chapter 41.

I should make you wear my red lingerie.

~~

I started at the creepy line of warehouses with a shiver running down my spine. There were three and all of them looked worn down.

How did Athena even know about this place? Or was it Ray's idea?

Either way the place was old, deserted and looked pretty haunted. Perfect for hiding. Perfect for killing.

I took small steps towards the first warehouse, my car was parked a few blocks away to avoid attention. My eyes scanned over the place but it was so silent except for the annoying noise of crickets.

As I neared the place I paused straining my ears to hear any movement or noise from inside the warehouses but it was still silent. I wondered if they were even in there, maybe it was just a hoax. I quickly looked around for any signs of cameras but I couldn't see them either.

"Wow." I whispered to myself. "I can't believe I actually miss Evan. But then again he would be hiding behind me, that frightened old dog."

I stood in front of the door and I could feel my hands shaking as they neared the door knob. I quickly looked at my phone, I had the police on speed dial and if I were to see any sight of Ray I was going to call them. I couldn't risk been a Wonder Woman and confronting him in this empty terrifying warehouse.

I still had so much to live for. I had to try so many flavors of ice cream yet.

Taking a deep breath I turned the door knob, it creaked and opened just a little. I held my breath, not moving even a little. I could see it was dark inside from the small gap and I couldn't hear a sound. So I pushed the door wide open and sighed in relief when I saw it was empty except for some metal scrapes and broken chairs lying around.

I took a step inside, scanning it with my flashlight. My nose wrinkled at the smell of dust and muddy water. "Clearly no one's been here." I muttered to myself.

Just as I turned to walk out, I felt a presence behind me right before a palm pressed against my mouth.

My eyes widened in terror and I started moving my arms around, wanting to scream but not being able to.

Another arm swung across my waist, trapping both the arms.

I couldn't scream. I couldn't move. And with all that fright I couldn't breathe.

I instantly regretted not going to those Karate classes my mother had suggested.

And at this position how was I to kick his balls either?

His face neared my ears and I closed my eyes, my heart beating wildly. I could feel myself trembling and actually grateful for his arm because without it, I would have been a terrified mess on the floor.

His breath danced on my ears.

My throat clogged up.

"If you don't scream, I'll let you go."

My eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. I blinked twice before shrugging out of his hold and turning to him – fuming with rage.

"What the fuck Alex?" I shouted.

He instantly put a finger to my lips. "Hush!"

I slapped his hand away but turned my shouting into a whisper. "You scared me!" I exclaimed gritting my teeth.

He grinned. "I know. It was fun. You were trembling like a leaf."

"And I slap like a Kardashian." I spat back. "Do you want your eyebrows flying to the wall?"

His eyes widened and he took a step back. "Relax I was kidding."

I continued to glare at him as I put a hand over my chest, my heart was still beating pretty fast and couldn't seem to calm down. I took a deep breath trying to fight the urge to smack his face. "What are you even doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked back.

"Don't answer my question with another question."

"Then answer my question."

"I asked first."

"And I asked second. What's your point?"

I pressed my lips together, my eyes narrowing. "Look here, Mr.Asshole-Ex-Boyfriend, you tell me what the fuck are you doing here or I swear to God, I will kick you in the balls so hard that you'll never be able to have sex again. And I wouldn't care because you broke up with me."

Alex hands went to his crotch in a protective manner and he smiled sheepishly. "You still stuck on that?"

"Still?" I hissed. "It's been two weeks not two years."

"I told you I am sorry."

"And I told you to shove it up your tiny butt."

"Hey don't insult my butt!" Alex argued back.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead. "Why are you here? More importantly how did you know I am here?"

Alex scoffed, taking a step inside. "Don't flatter yourself. I wasn't tracking you."

I folded my arms in disappointment. "Then who?"

He sighed in resignation. "Fine but don't get angry."

I tapped my left feet impatiently.

"Athena."

I blinked in surprise. "You traced her phone?"

"No, I traced the tracker I put on her."

My eyebrows narrowed in confusion. "I don't understand. When did you put a tracker on her?"

"You might wanna sit for this."

We glanced around at the dusty floor and broken chairs. I raised an eyebrow at Alex. He scratched his head in awkwardness. "Maybe you can handle it standing."

"Just spit it out."

"Athena isn't actually with Ray."

I waited for the explanation and blew a sigh for exasperation when he didn't say anything further. "Really? During break up you couldn't stop talking and now you stop at that sentence. What did I ever see in you?"

"Hey!" Alex protested. "Don't be rude."

"Shut up and talk."

I could see he had something snarky to say but thankfully held himself. "Athena has been lying to Ray about being on his side and loving him. When he went to jail she came to know of everything he had done, about Julia and lying to her to get to you. We started talking and realized that things could get messed up if someone came to know that Ray Parker was in jail for a crime he didn't commit."

Alex paused for dramatic effect. "So we decided to arrest him for a crime he did commit. Athena started doing prison visits and talking about how happy you were so that he would get jealous and angry. After sometime he broke down and wanted to get out to take revenge on you. Crime one: Escaping jail." He showed his forefinger.

"He then hacked into my office and threatened me, which I had expected him to do so. So I recorded that call. Crime two: Threatening me, a famous billionaire and hacking into the Bianchi Enterprises." Alex lifted up two fingers.

I sighed at his words. "Why couldn't you tell me all this?"

"Because that would come in the middle of his third crime."

"Which is?"

"Kidnapping me."

My jaw dropped. I blinked at Alex's smug face. "What?"

"Oh didn't I mention? I am actually kidnapped here."

I blinked and stared at him. He was standing with no handcuffs or ropes tied. What kind of kidnapping is this?

I pointed at his free figure. "How are you kidnapped?"

He lifted his hand up to show a black wrist band. "If I move even five feet away from the warehouses, I get tazed real bad. Pretty cool huh? That man doesn't have physical strength but he sure is smart."

I could feel a headache coming over. I pressed my forehead suddenly wishing at least one of these chairs weren't broken. "So-so let me get this straight. Athena is actually helping us?"

"Yes."

"Ray did hack into your company?"

"Yes and he also hacked into your phone."

"I know." I showed him the second phone I was carrying. "That's why I bought this one."

"Smart."

"Now tell me why you couldn't tell me all of this? And why the break up?"

Alex sighed. "The break up was real, I was truly afraid he would spread all the client company data. Also he threatened me, that if I didn't break up with you, he would never stop torturing you, stalking you and hacking into your phone."

"You could have just told me everything."

"I was just trying to protect you." Alex shrugged a shoulder. "We weren't sure if any of this would work out and if things didn't go according to plan, I definitely didn't want you to get caught in that. There are risks involved and I can't put you in danger."

I stared at Alex's face and I would be lying if I said I wouldn't have protected him too. I did just lock Evan and Zivah because I cared for them. "I want to say 'aww' but I am still angry." I mumbled, twisting my lips.

He came closer to him and pulled me in for a hug. I pretended to fight him but smiled as his arms wrapped around me and my head rested on his chest.

Oh how I had missed his scent, his body, his presence.

"So does this mean we are back together?"

Alex stepped back. "Jeez calm down woman. Let's talk about that after your crazy lover / stalker is in jail."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine but just so you know I am angry that you broke up and we are not in a relationship until I say otherwise."

Alex took a step towards to me, standing real close to me. I could feel my heartbeat increasing at the sudden proximity. "So we can't kiss?"

I wanted to kiss him, feel his lips on mine so bad. But I couldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that. So I cleared the naughty thoughts and shook my head. "No." even my voice was squeaky.

Alex smirked, noticing the dilemma I faced. "Not even a peck?" his voice lowered into a whisper that made me want to take off my own clothes.

Smrufs. Think of smurfs. I begged myself to stop thinking from doing it in the damn kidnapping warehouse with my crazy stalker in immediate vicinity. "No."

His finger brushed against the side of my lips. "Not even on the corner of lips?" his thumb pressed lightly against the corner sending my heart into overdrive and my breath hitched. "Not even just here?"

"Smurfs. Blue smurfs! Granpa smurf!" I exclaimed loudly taking a step back away from Alex. I was not going to give in that easy, no matter how much I wanted to feel his stupid thick delicious lips on me.

Alex raised his eyebrows at me, noticing my restraint. "I'll have sex with you."

I took a deep breath and shoved all the dirty thoughts in one corner. I gave him a flat look. "Shut up, don't use sex to lure me you slut!"

Alex grinned and winked. "I do make a sexy slut."

I couldn't help but smile back. "Yes I should make you wear my red lingerie."

"Only if you promise to tear it off me later."

"Hmm." I pressed my lips together pretending to be in thought. "Maybe we could use whipped cream and chocolate syrup."

I could see Alex's eyes brightening up.

I grinned mentally. "Only if we were still in a relationship. Now all you get to see is me walking away. Ciao!" I flipped my hair and started to walk towards the door.

I paused and turned. "Now what's the next step of your plan, you sexy slut?"

"I confront Ray and the police comes and arrests him." Alex said.

Just then the door of the warehouse banged shut, making me jump out of skin.

I patted my chest, if this continued I was sure to have a heart attack by the end of the day. "What the fuck?" I whispered, staring at the shut door.

Alex walked past me and tried to open the door but it was locked. He pulled and pushed and nothing worked.

I stared at Alex with frightened eyes. "Please tell me this is all a part of your plan."

Alex slowly turned and his fallen expression was answer enough.

I licked my lips, talking slow steps towards him. "Are you saying we are locked inside?"

Alex nodded looking down at his feet.

I had this sudden urge to pull out my hair in anger and exasperation. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Do you have a second plan?"

"Yes."

"Good. What's it?"

"We wait."

I narrowed my eyes at Alex. "Wait for what? Death?"

"No, Athena."

"When will she come?"

"Soon."

I wanted to taunt him more but that wasn't going to help so I stayed quiet.

After twenty minutes which felt like three hours, I huffed out an angry breath. "Well? Where is she?"

"She's-"

His words were lost in the sudden noise coming from the other side of the door.

There were screams, running feet, sound of glass breaking and then some more screams.

We pressed our ears against the locked door staring at each other in confusion. "What the hell is happening?" I asked Alex.

He shrugged a shoulder. "I have no idea."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You have such a great plan!"

"Thanks."

I rolled my eyes.

"We need a new plan."

I nodded in agreement. "Aren't you a genius?"

"Sarcasm won't get you anywhere."

"It got me through 23 years of my life." I sassed back, smirking at him.

Alex rolled his eyes. "Let's think."

And think we did.

We definitely needed a new plan, one that would work and help us escape this locked warehouse into whatever disaster was happening outside.

If only we knew that staying in the locked warehouse would have been a safer option.

~~

Just two more chapters + one epilogue left.

Who is excited?????????????? me!!!!!!!!