Page 27

Realization strikes me hard.

That fucking bastard.

Stepping closer, I gesture toward the sandwich. “I missed dinner tonight. Do you mind if I have half?”

She looks at me, blinking quickly to fight back tears. Then she lifts the sandwich and silently offers it to me.

I unwrap the plastic, take half, wrap the rest, and hand it back to her. I take a bite without hesitation to prove it’s not poisoned or laced with a narcotic. Her gaze stays locked on me the entire time, as if she’s waiting for the moment I prove her wrong.

The moment I swallow, something inside her snaps. She unwraps the sandwich, bringing it to her lips to take a bite. Her eyes fall shut as she chews, enjoying every second of it.

A single tear streaks down her cheek. And it takes everything inside me not to reach out and brush it away.

I grab the back of the metal chair beside the wall and drag it closer to the bed. I lower myself onto it, exhale, and adjust my glasses. “I have a few questions for you, if that’s okay.” She opens her eyes and nods. “The whole world thinks you’re dead, so how about you tell me what’s going on?”

She swallows and clears her throat. “Garrett sold me. I didn’t… I didn’t have a choice. I had to run away.”

My eyes close for a brief second as I draw in a slow breath. “To whom?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Mikhail Vasiliev.”

Blood boils in my veins, but I keep my composure, not wanting to frighten her. I open my eyes. “How do you know this?”

She picks at the sandwich, tearing off a small piece of bread. “Garrett invited Mikhail over for dinner on his boat in Florida. The weather turned, so we all moved inside, and he sent me to one of the spare rooms while they went to his office.” Her fingers tighten around the bread. “My gut told me this was more than a friendly dinner, so I left my room and I stood on the other side of the door, listening to their conversation.” She pauses before saying, “I heard everything and panicked. The only thing I could think to do was jump overboard and hopefully make it to shore before anyone noticed I was missing.”

My arms cross over my chest, the tension in my body humming intensely through me. “Why would Garrett sell you?”

“Because…” She bites down on her bottom lip, her gaze dropping as she lifts one shoulder. “I think he was just growing tired of me and wanted someone new.”

I stare up at the ceiling, my finger drumming against my thigh as I try to remain calm. Taking a deep breath, I regard her. “And how did you get those bruises on your wrist and stomach?”

Her lips part, her gaze finding mine. “How do you know about those?”

“The doctor was examining you, and when she lightly pressed down on your stomach, you winced. She lifted your shirt just enough to see blue and purple skin across your stomach and side, so she took you in for X-rays. Your clothes were on you the entire time, and I was by your side,” I add, hoping that gives her some comfort.

Her eyes glisten, her arms wrapping around herself. “He wasn’t happy with me,” she says softly. “I keep…disappointing him.”

I stand, looking down at her. “He beat you?”

She hesitates a moment before closing her eyes and offers a slight nod.

Every cell in my body ignites, scorching me from the inside out as my mind works overtime, trying to think of how I can get that coward alone.

The door opens, and Doctor Rose steps inside, holding the images. Her expression softens when she sees Charlotte is awake. “Hi, dear. I’m Doctor Rose.” She stands at the end of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Charlotte looks nervously between us. “F-fine. I’m sorry to bother you.”

“You’re not a bother,” Doctor Rose replies with a reassuring smile. “This is what I’m here for.” She holds up the images and places them before an X-ray view box. “Well, I come bearing good news. None of your ribs are broken or fractured, which is a relief. But from the bruising I saw, I recommend taking it easy for a while as you’re going to be sore. Using a heating pad and taking some over-the-counter pain relievers will help.”

“I’ll make sure she gets those,” I say.

“Good.” Her phone vibrates, and she reaches into her pocket to check the screen. “I have to take this, but I’ll be right back.” Her lips curve up as she walks out the door.

I step toward the window, staring out into the darkness as I shove my hands into my pockets.

I’m never going to be able to forgive myself for not going to her sooner.

“I know I don’t have much to offer you…” Charlotte says quietly. “Actually, I have nothing.” She lifts the plastic wrap off her lap and places it on the table. “But I was hoping you could possibly help me by creating a new identity for me so that I could start over somewhere far away from here.”