AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She doesn’t have anything to do with you,” he said, his voice soft. “You’re special, Brielle. You’re my kitten.”
She sniffed back the tears. “But if she was your girlfriend…”
He stepped closer and brushed her hair back from her face. “She was never my kitten. Never my pet, like you.”
Her lower lip quivered. She wanted to believe him. But how could she be his kitten if he had a girlfriend somewhere else?
“I have to go out of town for a while.” His voice was quiet and he touched her hair again. “I didn’t have to come here first. And I could still go. I could leave you out here, all alone. Is that what you want?”
She shook her head.
“How long before you run out of food, do you think? I bet a few days, unless you stretch it out. Then you’ll have to try to walk. Do you know how far it is to the next town?”
She shook her head again.
“Too far. And it’s getting colder by the day. You wouldn’t last a night.” He gripped her chin so she couldn’t look away. “Is that what you want, Brielle? Do you want to die all alone in the cold?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Do you want to stay with me?”
“Yes.”
“After everything I’ve done for you.” He tightened his grip on her chin. “I have too much invested in you to leave you here.”
“No, don’t leave me.”
He held her eyes. “That’s why I came. You should appreciate that. I didn’t have to.”
“I do appreciate it. Promise.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. Please don’t leave me alone.”
“Okay. Since you asked nicely. Go pack.”
She nodded. He let her go and she hurried up the stairs.
Her backpack was stuffed under the bed. She dug it out and started filling it. She wondered how long they’d be gone and how much stuff she’d need, but she kept her questions to herself. She didn’t want John to change his mind and leave her behind.
She didn’t want to be left alone.
With her full backpack slung over one shoulder, she went downstairs. John stood near the door. He looked impatient, his eyes darting around, his shoulders tense. She didn’t understand what was really going on. Why did they have to leave so suddenly? But she didn’t dare ask that question either.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She followed him outside to a car she didn’t recognize. It was black, but different than the one he usually drove. He opened the trunk and put her backpack inside. Then he stepped close and put an arm around her waist, drawing her against him.
What was he doing?
“Hold still,” he whispered in her ear.
She felt a prick in the side of her neck and tried to pull away from the sting, but John held her in place.
