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He drew closer each time he came into view. My heart was pounding so loud I swore it was going to beat out of my chest. Blood rushed through me and pounded in my eardrums.
I raced from room to room, unable to find the way out. Fear had taken over, and I was sobbing. I ran down the next corridor, finally losing sight of him. I prayed I’d escaped and hoped to find someone I knew who could help me.
In the next room, I collided with a hard body, knocking me backward. I fell to the ground and scrambled away. When I looked up, my breath seized in my chest and came in short pants as I crawled away as fast as I could. It was Jeff. He was right here, and I couldn’t get away.
Even though there were other people in the room, no one paid me any attention. How could they not see I was trying to escape? Why wouldn’t they help? I scrambled to my feet and raced around the next corner, only to find Jeff blocking my path.
He grabbed me by my hair, hauling me up in front of him. Pain seared through my scalp and fear locked my limbs in place.
“Bitch, you think you can run away from me?”
I tried to scream, but nothing came out.
“You can never get rid of me. You are mine.”
I struggled in his tight grasp, but I couldn’t get free. Jeff’s hand reached out and wrapped around my throat. I gasped for air, but I could barely suck in a breath. He was going to kill me.
“I will find you. No matter where you run.”
My body thrashed, trying to buck him off me. I swung my fist, the lack of oxygen already making my movements slower. I clawed at my throat, but his hand wouldn’t release me. I looked into his eyes and saw the anger raging in them. His free hand swiped for a strike I remembered all too well. When the blow hit my cheek, I screamed.
“Abbey, darlin’. Wake up.” Duke’s voice penetrated through my thoughts, and I jolted awake.
I still couldn’t catch my breath. It felt like I was still drowning in fear. My cheek burned from the memory.
“Dulcinée, it’s okay. It was only a dream. You’re safe. You’re here with us.” Liam’s French accent washed over me, and my head cleared.
Duke was on the other side of me. His hands gently stroked my face, soothing the imaginary sting from the dream. “Look at me, darlin’.”
I pried my eyes open and saw Duke hovering over me. Worry etched over every line of his face. My heart ached knowing I had put that there. He brushed my hair from my sweat-soaked face. “Breathe with me, Abbey.”
I locked eyes with him. He breathed in, and so did I. Then he let his breath out slowly, and I let my breath match his. We continued until my chest loosened, and I didn’t feel like I was going to pass out.
“There you are.” Liam eased into view beside Duke.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I could find the words to express the terror that tugged at me even now.
“You’re apologizing for having a bad dream?Dulcinée,you can’t help it.” Liam pulled me against his chest.
“I thought I was supposed to be the one with the nightmares.” Duke smiled, and I felt my heart skip. He stroked my hair and asked me what my dream was about, but I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to tell them. Not yet, at least.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m sorry.” I let out a deep breath. The nightmare was over, and Jeff was nowhere near me. I was safe in bed with Duke and Liam. Between them, right where I belonged.
“We want to make sure that you’re okay. Whatever you need, we’re here for you,” Duke whispered, and I sighed. Eventually, Duke tucked me close to his side, and Liam took over the calm strokes along my body until heat licked through my veins, taking away the chill from the dream.
“Now that we’re awake, let’s show you how much we missed you tonight.” Liam kissed my temple, then worked his way down my neck and chest. Mybarechest. I was naked.
The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in the limo with the girls. The more I thought about it, I vaguely remembered forcing my eyes open as they lifted me from the car. And Liam’s gentle kiss on my forehead before I fell back asleep.
The giddiness inside me rose, knowing they had carried me from the car, stripped me down, knowing I liked to sleep with nothing on, and put me to bed.
“Please,” I begged. “Please show me how much you missed me, because I missed you both so much.”
With Liam’s lips caressing my stomach, I pulled Duke to me and kissed him. This was where I wanted to be. Just like I had helped make Duke’s nightmares go away, so had these two with mine. With just their touches, I imagined a new future with them—one where I didn’t have anything to worry about.
LIAM
Iswallowed hard, remembering the terror on Abbey’s face when she woke the night before. I’d seen it so many times with Duke, but it broke my heart knowing I couldn’t help Abbey with hers. I’d woken up when she started tossing and moaning, but not knowing what the dream stemmed from, I hesitated to wake her in case I made it worse.
