Chapter 47.1

I beg Elliot to stay on the line with me; I can't do this without him. I absolutely must feel his presence here with me. "Please don't hang up, Elliot. Stay on the line with me. I need to be able to hear your voice to assure me that you'll come and get me. I need to feel you here with me to know that I am safe."

"Listen, Ari, put the phone down so the kidnappers aren't notified. They'll most likely check on you in a few minutes. Keep your phone on silent mode. Sweetheart, I'll save you. Will you believe me this time? Even though I know how hard it is for you to believe anything that I say, just this once, I am begging you to trust me, Ariella. Trust me enough to know that I will save you." As my tears fall down my cheeks, he concludes the call with, "I'm coming to get you out of there. Whatever it takes, I will save you, hon, even if it costs me my life."

With my heart beating a million miles per second, I walk up and press my ear against the door, hoping to capture anything the men