The small bookstore hummed with the gentle buzz of conversation and the soft rustling of pages. Lienna moved gracefully between the aisles, her fingers brushing against the spines of well-loved books, her heart light as she engaged with the few customers browsing through the quaint shop. It was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon, the kind of day that lulled you into a sense of normalcy, making it easy to forget the dangers lurking beyond the peaceful facade of her life.
The bell above the door jingled, signaling the arrival of a customer. Lienna looked up, her smile instinctively brightening as she approached the entrance. A man stood there, tall and slightly disheveled, with dark hair falling into his eyes. There was something about him that set off alarms in her head, a predatory glint, perhaps, or the way he surveyed the store as if weighing his options.
"Can I help you find something?" Lienna asked with a kind smile on her face, her tone friendly but cautious.
He turned his gaze to her, and for a moment, she felt a chill wash over her. "Just looking," he replied, his voice low and unassuming. But she noticed the way he lingered too long, how he stepped closer instead of moving toward the shelves.
Lienna nodded, instinctively keeping her distance as she felt a flicker of unease settle in her stomach. She turned her attention back to the store, trying to focus on the customers who were browsing the nearby section, but the man remained in her periphery, shifting closer as she moved around.
Her instincts screamed at her to call for help, but she shook off the thought. It was just her imagination. Maybe he was just a harmless bookworm.
But as she walked back to the front counter, her pulse quickened when she felt his presence at her back.
"Do you have any recommendations?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with something scarier.
Lienna turned, forcing a polite smile, but her heart raced as he stepped even closer. "What kind of books do you like?" she asked, trying to deflect the growing discomfort in her chest.
Before she could react, the door swung open again, and a woman entered, shaking off her umbrella from the sudden downpour outside. Lienna's gaze flickered toward the newcomer, momentarily distracted. It was just enough for the man to close the distance between them.
"Lienna," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned in, invading her personal space. "You need to come with me."
Her instincts flared, and Lienna took a step back, her heart pounding furiously. "Excuse me? I don't think—"
But he grabbed her wrist with a grip that felt aggressive, dragging her toward the door. The bookstore was suddenly a blur, her heart pounding in her ears as panic surged through her veins. "Let go of me!" she shouted, twisting to free herself, but his hold was so strong she couldn't get free.
"Get away from her!" the woman shouted, rushing toward them, but before she could reach Lienna, the man yanked her outside.
The daylight was blinding, the street bustling with people who remained oblivious to the chaos unfolding. "Help! Someone help me!" Lienna screamed, her voice fueled by fear.
But the man was too quick, shoving her into a waiting black car parked right outside. The door slammed shut behind her, trapping her in darkness. The panic surged through her as she turned, seeing his face now illuminated by the dim light inside.
"Stop struggling," he hissed, pressing a cloth against her mouth. The world around her began to swirl, and she fought against the drowsiness creeping in, desperation fueling her every move.
As her vision blurred, her last thought was of Asher, of the "safety" she had once found in his presence. She had never imagined she'd be taken in broad daylight, her world collapsing around her in an instant.
YOU ARE READING
.Little Bird.
Romance"You fight like you want me dead," Asher rasped, his voice strained from the blow. She shot him a cold, fierce smile. "Isn't that the point?" Asher lunged, his body acting on instinct. He grabbed her by the waist and spun her around, slamming her ag...
