AllFreeNovel
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“Pretty much what you just said. You sure you two don’t talk about me?”
“Nope. She’s the bomb, remember? Best chick out there for helping freaks like us.”
Lizzie slumped into her computer desk chair. “What’s it like out there in Minnesota?”
“Windows are open,” I said, tilting the camera to the side a little and easing out of the way. “If you were here with me, you could feel this nice breeze.”
“It’s effing cold here in New York.” She let out a big sigh. “So, that guy,Hunter, he really came to your door?”
“Twice.” I glanced at my front door, remembering the thrill of hearing his voice on the other side, asking if I was there.
Where else would I be? Then again, he didn’t know exactly what was going on, either. And if I had my way, he wouldn’t, because I didn’t plan on seeing him any time soon.
“What if he stops by again?”
“I’m quiet as a mouse in here. So that’s not a problem. He won’t even know I’m here.” I crossed my eyes at the screen. “Next topic.”
“Don’t you miss people? I mean, at all?”
“I have my peeps right here.” I tapped the screen. “You’re it, babe. Well, you and a few thousand on social media.” I laughed.
“I mean real peeps.” She held up her hand to her face. “Like touching them. Warm, soft skin.”
“You mean guys.”
She blushed.
That was easy for her to say. Her agoraphobia hadn’t been triggered by three days of captivity, rape, and torture by five guys. I wasn’t sure I’d ever miss guys again.
Oh, who was I kidding? I remembered the kind, gentle touches of a guy before the shit storm that shattered my world. And heck yeah, I missed that, especially the rush of anxiety swirling around my stomach right before that first kiss. The tenderness of it…
“We don’t need guys, Lizzie. We’re strong, capable women.”
“Yeah, strong. Capable.” She rolled her eyes. “And shut-ins. That doesn’t scream strong and capable. At least you’re a little strong. You made it to the garage level. The freaking garage level, Angelina. I am so proud of you.”
But I totally face-planted when the adventure went south. “I was only supposed to go down to the lobby, you know. I panicked. Totally lost it.”
“At least you did something.”
And luckily landed in the arms of a trustworthy guy. He could have done any number of things to me. Stolen stuff from my place. Killed me. An invisible noose slid around my throat.
The pressure was enough to make me cough. I touched my neck, knowing nothing was there, but I sure could feel the pressure anyway. Slowly tightening.
“Angelina?” Lizzie said. “Hey, look at me.”
I stared at the screen, and her blue eyes widened.
“Hey, girl. You’re okay.” Her fingers touched her screen, and I raised my hand. “There you go. Touch my fingers. Focus.”
I pressed my fingertips to my computer screen and nodded, swallowing through the thickness. With my free hand, I brushed along my shoulder. The deepest of the scars was there. A flash of a blade reflecting the light ignited behind my eyes.No. No flashbacks. Please—
A video box in the lower left corner of my screen popped up, and in the next breath, my doorbell sounded.
Lizzie sat up straight. “Oh…is it him?”
I closed my eyes, took in one deep breath, then checked the surveillance video. Yep. There he was with his long, blond hair. His bangs were long enough to fit behind his ear, while the rest of his hair grazed the neck of his shirt.
He wore a tight red thermal shirt today. His pecs seriously tested the limits of said shirt, too.
