I pushed the tray away and turned to the bed, where a pile of fresh towels awaited me. They were warm from the dryer andplush beneath my fingers. I buried my face in their softness. It was a small comfort, but one I desperately needed.
“Are you really going to starve yourself?” the male voice echoed in my head, and I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to react.
“Maybe if you tell me who you are and why I’m here, I’d be more inclined to eat your food,” I shot back out loud.
“Fine, don’t eat, then.” There was a hint of annoyance in his tone. “You’re only hurting yourself by not eating. It’s not poisoned if that’s what you’re worried about. Why would I go through all the trouble of capturing you just to poison you? If I wanted you dead, you’d already be dead.”
As much as I hated to admit it, his logic made sense. I stared at the food for a moment longer before giving in to my hunger and devouring every single bite. The bacon was crisp and salty, the eggs fluffy and perfectly seasoned, and the golden-brown toast had just the right amount of butter. Even the orange juice tasted freshly squeezed. It was a meal fit for royalty, and yet most likely it was all a ploy to keep me complacent and under their control.
“Happy now?” I bit out once I’d cleared the plate.
“Thrilled,” he replied dryly. “Go ahead and take a shower. You’ll feel better once you’re clean.”
I rolled my eyes but did as he suggested, stepping into the luxurious shower, and letting the hot water rain down on me. The showerhead was adjustable, allowing me to choose the perfect spray pattern and pressure. I sat on the built-in bench where I let the water wash away my fatigue. The toiletries were high-end, with fragrant soaps and shampoos that left my skin tingling, and my hair silky smooth. I took my time, savoring every moment of this small reprieve from my captivity.
A good hour later, I stepped out of the bathroom wearing a warm, plush robe, feeling somewhat refreshed, despite mycircumstances. I checked around the empty room, searching for any signs of change since I’d left. As far as I could tell, everything was just as I’d left it.
Then I remembered the cameras hidden throughout the room. My captor must have seen me enter the bathroom. They were probably still watching me. Ugh, freaking gross.
My mind drifted to the dream I’d had the night before—a dream filled with Ty’s strong arms and heated kisses. Even though he was nowhere near me, my need for him found its way into my subconscious. It was ridiculous, really. Here I was, being held captive, yet all I could think about was how desperately I longed for Ty to ravish me.
It took every ounce of my willpower, but I finally managed to put some distance between myself and those tantalizing thoughts of Ty. I began rifling through the clothes that had been left for me. I didn’t want to stay in this robe for too long.
The clothes were simple yet stylish, consisting of a pair of dark jeans and a soft, white blouse. I dressed quickly in the bathroom. The clothes were comfortable enough, but it unnerved me how well these items fit. Whoever had chosen them knew me intimately.
“Are they dressing me up like a doll now?” I said under my breath, my fingers absently playing with the hem of the shirt.
As I looked up, with my damp hair clinging to my neck, I froze at the sight of the guard standing at the open doorway. My heart hammered, and I instinctively took a step back, calculating the distance between me and the bathroom door.
“Easy.” The guard held up a hand to placate me. “I’m not here to cause you any harm. You’ve been granted a few hours of freedom outside this room.”
Erm, no. This was too good to be true, like a trap just waiting to snap shut around me.
“Where are we going?” I asked cautiously.
“Somewhere you can stretch your legs and pass the time. Don’t worry; you’ll be perfectly safe.”
Safe was a relative term, but I kept my mouth shut as I followed him out of the room. I hesitated in the doorway, my heart pounding as I weighed the risks and potential benefits of taking this supposed freedom being offered to me.
“Look, you can stay cooped up in this room if you want.” The guard’s impatience was palpable, and he crossed his arms. “I couldn’t care less what you do.”
His words served as a reminder that this could be my only chance to gather information about my surroundings. If I wanted to escape this place, I needed every advantage I could get.
I took a step forward. “Fine. Let’s go.” I straightened my posture and tried to exude confidence, despite the uncertainty swirling within me.
The guard nodded curtly, and we began our journey through the expansive house.
As we walked, I marveled at the grandeur. Tall windows draped with luxurious silk curtains allowed natural light to pour into the hallway, casting an ethereal glow on the polished marble floors. Intricate woodwork adorned the walls, and crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings like sparkling constellations.
I tried to focus on memorizing the twists and turns of the labyrinthine corridors, but then I remembered what my captor had told me: nothing but miles of trees. If there was even a sliver of a chance I could escape this opulent prison, though, I had to take it.
“Here we are,” the guard said, stopping before a heavy wooden door carved with ornate designs. He pushed it open to reveal a large study. A plush armchair sat in front of a stonefireplace. The fire burning in the heart cast flickering shadows across the room.
“Is this where I’m supposed to stay?” I asked, my gaze darting around the space, already searching for potential exits or hiding places.
“Yep.” The guard leaned against the doorframe. “You’re free to read any book you’d like while you’re here. Just don’t try anything funny.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” My tone dripped with sarcasm, and I rolled my eyes. Real mature.
