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His hands clasp mine and his thumb brushes my skin there. “It’s okay. You’re safe here. Just relax and sit down. I’ll show you whatever you want.”
My body goes rigid, and I nod as he settles me back on the edge of the bed.
“Is it bad?” I wonder.
He doesn’t answer, lifting up my shirt, which I hold up while he slowly removes the tape around the gauze before it’s off completely.
When my eyes dart down, I gasp with quick, jerky breaths.
“No…” I shake my head with a cry. “Wh-what is it?” I pant, staring at the star carved onto my stomach.
“That’s his brand,” A clarifies. “He knew I’ve been looking for him. He left you alive for me to find. He wanted me to know he can get to you whenever he wants.” He growls. “I’m sorry I brought him to you. I’m so fucking sorry.”
My heart races and I jump to my feet. “I need to get out of here!”
Winded inhales assail me as I rush for the door, attempting to pry it open. But when I turn the knob, I realize it’s locked.
I spin around to him. “Let me out!”
“Kayla, you need to lie back down. You’re gonna make yourself bleed.”
My mind returns there, playing it over and over. “Let me out!”
I suddenly feel claustrophobic, my knees bucking, my headspinning.
When he stays rooted in place, I march toward him, hating that this happened to me. That I was a victim again.
Weak, pathetic Kayla. I’m over being weak.
“Just wait a minute, okay?” he pleads. “You need to rest. Please. I want to take care of you. That’s all.”
Pain swirls in the back of my throat as he goes on.
“I got your car, and it’s in my garage. I also made sure to text your friends telling them you went on a little getaway by yourself, a lake house upstate. They were understanding. So were your parents, though your mom was worried, but I calmed her down.” He takes a step forward. “Sent her lots of texts and photos of a beautiful cabin by a lake so she doesn’t think you’re off doing something crazy.”
My mouth widens as I cut the rest of the distance between us. “You have this all figured out, huh?”
“I was just trying to help. This is my fault.”
I ignore the pain in his voice. “Let me out of this fucking place!”
“I hate seeing you this way.” He cups my cheeks, and I succumb to his magical touch, my heartbeats slowing a little, like he’s the antidote to my heartache. “I just need you to get a little better before I let you out.”
“Excuse me?” I shrug off his touch. “Who the hell are you to decide that for me? I will never be imprisoned again. Do you hear me?!”
“I’m not keeping you prisoner. For fuck’s sake, Kayla! Do you know what it did to me to see someone hurting you and be too far to stop it?”
He saw it? Oh, God.
“Do you understand that the mere thought of losing you made me wanna fuckingdie? You don’t, do you?” He chuckles coldly. “Because you’ve always had people you cared about. Me? I never have.” He snaps his hand around my jaw and pulls his face near. “Not until you.” His thumb strokes my lips. “I can’t take it, feeling the things you do to me, the things you make me wanna do and say. So yeah, I’m keeping you here until you get better, and then you’re free to go.”
A lump lodges in my throat until fresh tears skim down my cheeks. His admission was huge for him. I know it was, and I don’t take that for granted.
“I’m not mad at you.” I sniffle, taking his hand in mine and kissing his knuckles.
Our fingers twine together and stay that way, forging a connection much deeper than most have in a lifetime.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me, Kayla.” His raw truth pierces through once again.
