Instead of calming, Maya seemed to grow angrier. She began to fight him, struggling with a strength that belied her small frame, and desperation rolled off her in waves. He was no longer her safe place, and it was more than evident that she couldn’t wait to get away from him.
Keeping hold of her was tricky, not because he wasn't substantially bigger and stronger than Maya could ever hope to be, but because he genuinely didn't want to hurt her. She wasn't doing anything wrong. Maybe she wasn't thinking clearly, because if she was, she would know she didn't stand a chance out in the big bad world all on her own, but she was within her rights to want to try to leave.
If she wanted to go home to her family, he’d arrange that and make sure Prey set up protection for them so that Dr. Gardner couldn’t try to get her back. If she wanted to go and stay at one of Prey’s safehouses, he’d arrange that as well. As much as he wanted her close, he wouldn't be selfish when it came to her mental health.
But escaping the safety of the estate and going off on her own was out as an option.
“Stop fighting me, babydoll,” he urged. The last thing he wanted was to have to revert to drugging her to keep her under control.
Of course, she didn't stop fighting. Her small fists pummeled at him, and she kicked her legs, even snapped her teeth at him. It broke his heart to see her so desperate to leave.
“Shh, babydoll, try to understand. I can't let you go out there alone. Dr. Gardner is still out there somewhere, and until we know he’s dead, you won't be safe. I would bet anything that he’llbe desperate to get you back. I won't risk your safety, don’t ask me to.”
As though accepting her fate was once again out of her hands, Maya slumped down against him, all the fight draining out of her.
While he was glad she’d stopped trying to get away from him, he hated that air of defeat that clung to her. She’d been through so much, and yet once again, Dr. Gardner was dictating how she lived her life.
“I'm sorry. I wish it didn't have to be this way,” he murmured.
Lifting her head, Maya stared down at him. There was no hatred left in her gaze, just betrayal and pain.
Betrayal caused by him.
Pain he’d put there.
He should have brought her with him when he learned that Prey had gotten a hit on her identity, so she could have found out right away, from him, rather than overhearing the conversation. At the very least, he should have given her a heads-up from the beginning that they’d taken her photo, and sent DNA samples and fingerprints to Prey to try to find out who she was. That way, it wouldn't have come as an obvious shock to her.
“Iamsorry, Maya,” he whispered, using her real name for the first time.
Eyes widening until they were almost impossibly huge, he felt her entire body tense. It must be so strange to have someone call you by your name again when likely nobody had used it for almost half of your life.
Walking away yesterday had been a mistake.
Trying to honor her wishes and give her space seemed the right thing to do in the moment, but now he realized he’d just given her time to let her insecurity fester. What he should have done was sit with her, talk to her, the same way he had when hewas trying to reassure her that she was safe. He should have had the conversation then and there, telling her he knew her name and was sorry he’d made her feel like he’d gone behind her back to get it.
“I never meant to hurt you. We did what we would do with any other victim. When it was clear you weren't capable of giving us your name yourself, we went with another avenue to get that same information. Your family has not yet been notified that you’ve been found. With the threat of Dr. Gardner still out there, Prey is keeping everything to do with your rescue quiet. If you want your family to be told you're alive and safe, we will arrange that. If you want to go to them, we’ll arrange that too. If you want them to know you're okay but be told you aren't ready for contact yet, that’s also okay. Whatever happens next is one hundred percent up to you.”
Again, he’d hoped those words might offer the reassurance she needed that her control over her life hadn't been completely stripped away from her.
But it didn't seem to make a difference.
If anything, Maya seemed more defeated now than ever.
Since she wasn't fighting against him, Thunder slowly eased his grip, and when she didn't try to pull out of it, he carefully stood, bringing her up with him.
“Everything is going to be okay, babydoll,” he assured her, framing her face with his hands. “We will find Dr. Gardner, and he’ll pay for what he did to you. Once he’s no longer a threat, you will have the option to do whatever you want. But I can't let you put yourself in danger, please don’t ask me to. I don’t want to be the bad guy in your story, but I won't let anyone hurt you ever again.”
Leaning in, he let his lips hover above hers, but when she didn't drift closer, he touched a kiss to her forehead instead. Then took her hand and led her back toward the mansion.
He’d reached her in time, stopping her from putting her life in danger by escaping. She was coming back with him without fighting, acquiescing even if she didn't like it. She didn't tug her hand out of his grip, and she was right by his side, yet he’d never felt more distance between them than he did in this moment.
March 3rd
3:01 P.M.
Trapped.
The cage might be prettier this time around, definitely a whole lot more comfortable, Maya wasn't denying that, but it didn't matter how beautiful her surroundings were if she wasn't allowed to leave them.
