Prologue

4 years ago

12:29 AM.

I look at the harness that secures me, check the carabiner, make sure that everything's okay.

Gripping the rope with both hands, I test it.

Perfect.

"Are you okay?" Brandon's voice in my ear asks, remembering me that I am not alone in this.

I never felt alone with him.

"Yes, it's all good," I reply, before focusing on what I need to do.

"Then let's do this, Soph." His words make me smile and I take a deep breath before loosening my grip on the rope.

Let's do this.

I almost can't see anything in this complete darkness, even with the headlamp. The humidity makes me shudder as I go deeper in this abandoned elevator. It hangs suspended by some old wires and ropes. I glance around me, realizing how confined this actually is.

"Who would think to such a place to hide it?" I mutter under my breath, getting closer to one of the wall.

"That's exactly why they hide it there, sweetheart," Brandon says matter-of-factly.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious."

His deep chuckle helps me breathing easier again and takes off the heavy weight of my shoulders I didn't know I had until now. I can focus again.

"How much time do I have, now?" I ask, raising my head up to glance at the rope.

"Don't think about that and focus on what you need to do," he orders, making me shake my head. "Let me handle the rest."

"Brandon—"

I suddenly let out a scream when the rope loosens too much, giving me the impression of falling. I grip the rope again and I find myself entangled with it, swinging above the emptiness. The hole. The death.

Fuck.

Now is not the time to die, Sophia.

"Soph? What happened?" Brandon asks quickly, sounding concerned.

"I'm good." I grit my teeth as I try to get out of the mess I created.

My heartbeat increases. This is a mess.

We're running out of time.

"I'm stuck with my stupid rope!" I hiss, feeling like I'm starting to lose my shit.

Not now, Sophia. Later, but not now.

"Sophia, everything's fine. We still have plenty of time..."

"We don't, Brandon!" I exclaim, my voice echoing in the confined place, and I start to feel claustrophobic.

Not now, for fuck's sake.

"Sophia?"

I close my eyes and take deep breaths. Brandon doesn't say anything anymore.

After a few seconds, I feel my phone vibrating in my front pocket and I frown. With a trembling hand, I take it out.

With a small smile, I shake my head. This man knows me too well. He knew I was freaking out, and he knew exactly what to do.

Nodding, although he can't see me, I take one last breath.

I put back my phone in my pocket, release myself from the mess I created, then get closer to the wall.

I run my fingers against the rough and dirty texture of the old wall before I take off one of my black gloves.

Finally, I feel a hollow.

"I think I found it," I say, positioning myself so I don't do the same mistake as earlier.

"Good job, sweetheart. You have it?"

"Not yet," I answer, biting my lip in concentration.

Not feeling anything under my hand, I try to go deeper and let my fingers search for it.

Brandon would love to hear my thoughts, right now. Him and his dirty mind.

My thoughts are interrupted when I feel the object under my fingers. Reaching for it, I look in my hand.

Got it, I think as I stare at the diamond.

"Pretty," I let out, looking at it with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm guessing you have it now," Brandon says with admiration and adds, "I know you're smart but please, don't drop it."

I roll my eyes.

"Wouldn't it be easier, though?"

"I think like you, but we have orders to follow."

"I hate to remind it to you, but you're not usually the one to follow the rules," I say, smiling a little as I put the diamond in my pocket that I zip up.

He laughs, and I can imagine his smirk as he talks. "You know me, Soph. But there are just some of the rules that I don't follow."

He pauses.

"Wanna find out which ones?" he murmurs and for a moment, I hate and love the efficiency of the tiny object in my ear that makes me able to hear his husky voice so well.

Shivering, I look around me and start my attempt to get out of here.

12:40 AM.

"If I can come back in less than five minutes, maybe," I say quietly, making my way back up carefully.

"Right," he replies, suddenly remembering about what we're doing right now. "You're good?"

"Halfway now. Next time, let's switch roles, alright? My skills at climbing suck," I mutter under my breath.

"I don't mind. I just wanted to see you wearing those tight jeans tonight," he mutters in a low voice. "You look hot in them."

"Don't be ridiculous." I pause and smirk. "I always look hot."

I wasn't actually serious but he laughs deeply, before concluding,

"Oh, breathtakingly beautiful," he whispers.

I bite my lip to prevent myself from smiling and hiss me once again closer to where I've come from. Everything is going okay until my feet slides and I'm, once again, feeling like I'm falling.

But this time, it's worse. I'm facing the dark hollow below me, my feet batting the thin air.

Don't freak out.

"Shit!" I curse, shaking my head.

Never look down.

Too late.

"Talk to me, Sophia." Brandon's voice is now serious and concerned.

"This was a stupid idea, I could die at any moment. The rope is not cooperating." I wince, struggling.

A few seconds pass.

"Screw this," he mutters under his breath before he adds gravely, "Don't panic, I'm coming."

And I do exactly this; I panic.

"What? No! You can't do that, Brandon!" I immediately object, shaking my head frantically. "You have to stay where you are like the plan we'd been told!"

No answer.

"Do you hear me, Brandon?!" I exclaim once again, loudly this time, closing my eyes to prevent myself from looking down.

"I'm not letting you die," he finally says, making me shake my head furiously.

"And I'm not letting you die because of me!" I hiss, losing control.

"Nobody's going to die, then. How amazing is that, sweetheart, huh?"

I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head.

"You're so stubborn."

"Just like you. That's why we're perfect for each other."

"I swear, I'm going to kill you myself after this," I continue, ignoring his last statement.

"I'd like to see you try," he replies with amusement. "I know this is your way to tell me how much you love me."

I smile a little despite the stupid, dangerous, shitty situation I am in.

"Maybe."

He chuckles, but it quickly stops, and the sound of his muffled scream and curse make my heart stops.

I glance at my watch.

12:45 AM.

"Shit! Brandon!" I scream, my voice echoing again and again, letting me hear my own desperation and fear.

Move, Sophia.

Desperate, I struggle with the rope, turn my body and try my best to get a hold on the rope and on the wall too far away from me. Giving myself a good swing, one, two times, I finally reach it and start climbing again.

Brandon.

*

Running wasn't enough.

Brandon has a gun pointed at his head, and about twenty men surround us with guns as well.

"Give me the diamond," the man with the gun pointed towards Brandon orders coldly.

I clench my fists. "No."

"No? I think you don't really have the choice now."

My eyes meet Brandon's ones.

Normally, I wouldn't be scared. People would come to rescue us or we would figure out a way, like always.

But this time, I just know. This is different.

Something breaks inside me. I feel myself giving up. In ten years, I've had probably never given up.

"Alright then." The man shrugs, before smirking.

I don't take one step that he pulls the trigger.

I scream.

*

12:51 AM.

The night Love destroyed me.