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Cole takes out his knife. I’m not afraid, because if he were going to hurt me, he would have by now.
Instead, he reaches behind me and cuts away the plastic cuffs.
Relieved, I itch all over my body.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Amber.”
“But you’re going to anyway, aren’t you?”
“I’ll do what I have to do for my people.”
“Even if it means hurting little girls?”
“You’re the one hurting yourself.”
“Says the man that left me cuffed in his tent.”
“You know how you told me that if Gunther found out you were pregnant, he’d beat the baby out of you?”
I nod, anxious.
“Well, Russ’s daughter is pregnant, and Gunther has her.”
A sick feeling twists in my gut. “Oh, shit…”
“If you don’t tell me how to find the Reavers, I can’t protect you. Or rather, why would I?”
I want to tell him. I want to make this right, because the thought of an innocent woman being hurt wrecks me. But I can’t put Seth in danger.
Tears spring from my eyes, cascading down my cheeks.
How could I have gotten myself into this mess? I never wanted to hurt anyone. I never wanted any of this. I just want my son.
“Hey, now,” Cole says, his powerful arms circling me. “It’s okay. I’m here. I got you.”
It feels good to be held by him. He would have made a good Keeper.
“I can’t fix the problem if I don’t know what’s broken?” Cole says, smoothing back my hair.
I pull away, upset.
“I know you’re hurting, Amber. I’m scared for you. If you tell me what I need to know, I promise no harm will come to you. We’ll deal with the situation, and heck, I’ll let you leave, if that’s your prerogative. But if you remain silent, there isn’t a man alive that could save you from Russ.”
I believe him, because I’m just as desperate to save and protect Seth.
“Tell me,” Cole demands, pressing his hands to the side of my face and forcing me to look at him. Through blurred vision, I see his concern for me. His very real fear.
“I…can’t…”
His face falls. I hate that I’ve disappointed him.
I give a big sniffle, and try to compose myself. “You might as well do what you’re going to do to me, because I’m not going to tell you what you want to hear.”
His face grows strained. “What I’m going to do to you? Like I actually want to hurt you?”
He looks so sad. Cole cares for me, which hurts so much more than if he was indifferent. Gunther and his men only wanted sex from me. They were willing to send me out knowing Blake might very well kill me. Cole has no good reason to care, but he does, and it hurts.
Unable to stop myself, I press forward, bringing my lips to his.
