Chapter Fifteen

Hadley shivered as the wind barreled through the opening of the wooden warehouse. She looked at the door as it slammed shut and thought she saw—no, felt, smelled—something, someone, a familiar scent. A comforting presence.

No, it couldn’t be. She was losing it. Luca was definitely not here. If he had been, he would have charged in and rescued her immediately. Maybe he hadn’t seen her. Or maybe her mind was playing tricks. She so wanted it to be Luca.

She shook her head to clear the cobwebs. She was overtired and overwrought. She had to focus instead of hoping for some fantasy ending.

“Are you okay?” Alessandra wondered.

“Yes, I’m fine. I just thought for a minute that—well, it’s nothing.”

“Dinner’s here,” the count said.

“I’m starving,” said Hadley.

Hadley and Alessandra ate quietly. Hadley’s hopes soared. Luca, were you here? My darling, can you hear my heart calling out to you? Do you even know where I am? Please, hurry. Find me, my love.

“Do you think the count is really dangerous?” Alessandra asked. “I mean, he’s royalty. Would he actually hurt us?”

“Have you heard of Count Dracula? He had us kidnapped. Of course he’d hurt us. And he can’t afford to let us live. We know too much.”