He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 219

Chapter 219

(Daisy’s POV)

Waiting had never sounded this loud.

Before today, I would have laughed if someone told me silence could make a person’s heart pound harder than a gunshot. Silence wasn’t supposed to have a sound. It wasn’t supposed to press against your ears until every breath, every shifting footstep, and every tiny movement became unbearable.

Yet here I was.

Waiting.

Aria had called it waiting.

I called it watching the countdown to DeLuca’s execution.

The realization sat like a stone inside my chest. He was driving here, completely unaware and completely convinced that I was hurt and needed him.

Because of me.

Because I’d been the one forced to call.

Because I’d become the bait.

My phone rested on the couch a short distance away, close enough that I could see the black screen reflecting the lights above us, yet impossibly far because Aria sat only inches from it. The pistol rested casually across her lap, one hand draped lazily over it, while the three men she’d brought with her stood around the apartment wearing expressions that promised they hadn’t forgiven me for the injuries I’d accidentally gifted them. One rubbed his shoulder, another shifted awkwardly every few seconds while still refusing to acknowledge exactly where I’d kicked him, and the third occasionally glanced at the bruises forming along his arm before glaring at me as though the entire thing had somehow been my fault.

Technically…

It had.

I looked away before I accidentally started feeling guilty.

None of that mattered.

There was only one thing that mattered now.

Finding a way to warn DeLuca.

I couldn’t run.

Couldn’t fight.

Couldn’t overpower four people.

But maybe…

Maybe I could still reach him.

“So…”

Aria’s voice drifted through the room.

She sounded almost bored.

“While we wait…”

She crossed one leg over the other and looked at me with an easy smile.

“Why don’t we talk?”

I didn’t answer.

“We’re still friends, aren’t we?”

I met her gaze.

“No.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“Right.”

A small laugh escaped her.

“My mistake.”

She leaned back comfortably.

“Best friends.”

I felt my jaw tighten.

“You were never my best friend.”

“No?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You had nobody when I found you. I walked into your life, I stayed, I listened, and I made you laugh.”

A tiny shrug followed.

“I’d say I earned the title.”

“You never earned anything.”

“Oh, I disagree.”

She laughed again.

“Maybe not anymore.”

Another shrug.

“But…” She tilted her head. “A few hours ago?”

“I absolutely did.”

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it again.

There was no point.

Arguing with Aria wasn’t going to stop DeLuca’s car. It wasn’t going to move my phone, and it certainly wasn’t going to save anyone.

My attention drifted back toward the device resting beside her.

Think.

Come on, Daisy.

Think.

Aria suddenly stretched her arms above her head.

“You know…”

She sighed dramatically.

“This waiting business is surprisingly exhausting.”

Her eyes drifted toward one of the men.

“You.”

He straightened immediately.

“Go get me some orange juice.”

“Yes, Boss.”

As he turned toward the kitchen, something flickered inside my head.

One less person.

Not freedom.

Just…

One less pair of eyes.

I looked toward the kitchen myself.

“I think…” I said carefully, “there’s bread in there too.”

Aria looked back at me.

“Bread?”

“You could toast it.”

I shrugged.

“If you’re planning to stay comfortable.”

She smiled.

“I was.”

She turned toward another man.

“You heard her.”

“Toast it.”

“Bring it.”

The second man nodded before disappearing after the first.

Now there were only three of us in the living room.

Aria.

The remaining guard.

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