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I’m on the floor, hands still tied, gagged, rolling over the glass that I didn’t mean to break. I knew I shouldn’t have tried to get out of bed, but what other choice did I have? I was in a room alone, and even with my ankles and wrists bound, I had to try to escape.
I failed.
Because I couldn’t hop across the floor to get to the window, and how would I open it? Instead, I hopped, slammed my hip against the nightstand, shattered a gorgeous vase, lost my balance, and fell.
Now, I’m stuck.
My skin is cut since I’m lying on broken glass from the vase. I try to stay still so the shards won’t prick my skin, but not moving hurts too. Every piece seems to cut deeper. A whimper escapes me, and my eyes begin to burn from the tears, the pain, the stress of this entire situation, and I don’t know if I can take it anymore.
The door opens, and my eyes slide to see if Otello is standing there so he can help me up. He’s so odd, but he could be way worse for a kidnapper. He didn’t break the vase and make me fall on the floor. I did that.
But I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t bound and gagged like a stuffed pig.
I freeze when I see Otello standing next to someone else, someone older, more refined, and more in control.
He runs over to me, kicking the sharp pieces of broken glass out of the way. He squats down, a look of pure horror on his face, and slides his arms around me.
I whimper from the cuts on my arms and legs.
“I know. I have you. You’re okay. I promise,” he says gently, laying me on the bed. He curls over me, pushing my hair back as if he’s trying to get a good look, and that’s when I see his eyes.
I’ve seen them before. They are the brown eyes I can’t get out of my head.
He turns his head away from me, giving me the sharp edge of his jaw. “What the hell did you do, Otello? She’s hurt.” He charges Otello and slams him against the wall. “What the fuck did you do to Mable?”
He knows my name. How does this man know me?
“I didn’t hurt her. She did that to herself, Dri.”
Dri. I’ve heard that before. It’s tickling the back of my mind, reminding me of a memory that’s been in the dark for far too long. I can’t recall it. It’s in the shadows of my mind.
“You fucking tied her hands and legs. She can’t walk. She’s scared. You did this. Get the fuck out.”
“I did you a favor! I saw your little room, Dri. The one no one is allowed to see. I know how much you’ve wanted—”
I gasp when Dri punches Otello. A droplet of blood flows down his lip.
“Get out,” Dri seethes, swinging the bedroom door open for Otello to leave.
Otello looks back at me and frowns. “I’m sorry, Mable.” He walks out of the room, stops in the middle of the doorway, and turns his head slightly. “You’ll thank me later, Dri.” And then strolls away.
“Don’t count on it.” Dri slams the door and then runs over to me again. “I’m so sorry for my brother.” He goes to untie my wrists, and I pull away from him, a scared whimper leaving me. “You don’t have to be afraid, Mable. I would never hurt you. I would never…” he swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and a ragged breath escapes him. “You will never have to worry about me hurting you. My brother is…different. He means well, but he doesn’t go about it the right way. Let me get the shards of the vase from your skin. A few look like they hurt.”
I nod, a tear escaping down my cheek.
He brushes it away, his brows dipping with concern, and he cups my cheek. “I promise, I swear on my life, I will not hurt you. Let me help, Mable.” He reaches for the gag that’s been silencing me for hours, and I jerk away from him on instinct. “It’s okay,” he reassures again. His calloused fingertips awaken the nerves in my skin, and I relax for some reason, being immediately drawn to this man.
And that scares the hell out of me.
He tosses the gag to the side, and I lick my lips for the first time in hours. I’m so thirsty.
“You poor thing. Your skin is so red. My sweet angel,” his touch is a feather across my skin, and I wince. “I know, it’s raw. I’m so sorry about my brother. I could kill him for doing this to you.”
“For kidnappers, he could have been a lot worse,” I manage to say, my voice hoarse.
“Would you like some water?”
I nod my head, trying to remain calm and collected while I try to figure out how I know this man and how I can escape.
