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Misty breath exhales more feverishly now. My eyes keep glancing back to the house. He could be in the woods already, stalking. This is his fucking kink.
The whole situation is surreal.
“I have to warn the girls. I can’t leave them. I’m sorry.”
He curses under his breath.
“Wait. Wait.” My mind races with ideas. “He sometimes leaves the door in a way we can break out. He likes to chase us.”
Arnold’s face contorts in horror.
“Don’t ask. He’s weird. But, if I can get the girls to escape with me, can you take us all?”
“This is insanity, Lesi. You’re right here, right now. Let me get you to safety.”
“You were supposed to keep me safe in Indiana.” I don’t know why I say it. The words kind of just slipped out. I feel his grip lessen around my hands.
“I know I failed you.” His head dips. “But I’m doing everything I can to make it right.”
“God. If he even gets a whiff of you, we’re all dead in there,” I cry. “He could be here at any second.”
“Poor thing.” Arnold shakes his head. “You’re in shock. You need to be brought to safety.”
“No. For the first time in my life, I’m thinking clearly, Arnold. I’m sorry for what I said. I was wrong. Everything you taught me has kept me sane so far.” I kiss him on the cheek. “Don’t call the cops. They’ll stumble too loudly and there will be bullets in all of our heads. Just give me time. Let me get them all out.”
“I think you’re making a big mistake,” he sighs.
“Please. I need you to trust me.”
He sighs again. “Okay.” He pulls out a device in his ear. “Take this. Click it twice to turn it on. I don’t know where I’ll be, but I can promise you I’ll get back here as soon as I can.”
My face is tingling with nerves. Both my hands are numb at this point. But I know in my heart, this is the right move. I can’t leave. I just can’t.
Chapter 15
Alessia
I walk tentatively to the back of Leandro’s rickety cabin as twilight begins. My legs are shaking from finding Arnold in the woods thirty minutes ago. I still can’t believe it. I’m going to rescue all of the girls… if only I can keep it together.
“Oh, you’re back.” Leandro doesn’t even turn to look at me. He’s inspecting the fresh coat of paint on his new car. “Damn. And I was hoping I’d have to come find you.”
The purr of his deep voice makes my legs tingle.
“You’re a real creep, you know that?” My nerves start to calm now that I know he doesn’t know what just transpired. Still, I’m harboring a secret, and I’m worried he’ll see right through me.
“I’ve been called worse things.” He cackles, throws the rag into his bucket, and finally turns to face me.
My stomach does a somersault when our eyes lock. I don’t know what I’m feeling as he stalks toward me. Arms glistening with sweat, cold air puffing out like a snow wolf.
That body.
As he closes in, I get a whiff of his manly scent. Paint, grease, and a touch of musk. It does something to me. And when he grabs my hand, my breath hitches.
“I’ve been thinking—”
I can’t concentrate on anything but his warm hands heating my cold ones. Hold me before it’s too late, Leandro.
“—today was a good day. You handled yourself well, even if you can be a bit of a handful at times.”
