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It was silly for a nearly seventeen-year-old boy to feel such things. But looking into her eyes, I saw someone who was damaged, grief hanging over her head like a dark cloud. All the pain Mackenzie bottled inside wrapped around the light within her, trapping it. It was overshadowed by the darkness that hung over her like a dark cloud.
Mackenzie’s cheeks turned pink, long lashes feathering over her cheeks as her eyes dropped to the floor. Shame flowed from her as though she knew she revealed too much, long blonde hair shielding her face like a curtain.
I sucked in a breath as she wrapped her arms around her lithe body, squeezing tightly as though holding all her broken pieces together.
No. You’re not broken, sweetheart. You’re perfectly imperfect.A bright light trapped beneath the darkness. A flame that barely glowed but could be nurtured until it grew so large it burned through the gloom, turning dark into light.
I was determined to help her find that inner glow. A spark that would erupt into an inferno, revealing her essence to the world.
Mackenzie is fierce. A force to be reckoned with.
She just didn’t realize it.
Returning to the present, I smile at her, the memory of that meeting mixing with the present. All that I felt for her then is overshadowed by my feelings for her now. I thought she was amazing when I first laid eyes on her, but I hadn’t scratched the surface of how incredible she really is.
The lock clicks, followed by the door closing. I tense, protective instincts flaring up. Mackenzie’s body is taut like a piano wire about to snap until we hear Rosario’s light footsteps travel up the steps, stopping once she steps into the attic.
Rosario is carrying two baskets, one on each arm. “There’s food in this one. Medical supplies are in here for your wounds. You’ll need to eat quickly so I can take care of your injuries.” Her gaze keeps darting to the stairs. “I need to bind your wrists and ankles. Please cooperate. If he sees you unbound….”
Raising my brows, I stare at her worried face.Mackenzie and I nod in unison.
As Rosario slides our basket of food toward us, she pulls out her taser. Pointing it at us, she nods at the food. “Now eat. Quickly. Don’t make me use this.”
Hmmm. Odd that she’s so nervous about her recent behavior.
She’s a weak link. I wonder if we can manipulate her so we can escape.
28
MACKENZIE
Ishoot Chase a look as I chew a bite of the ham sandwich. It could really use some cheese and mayonnaise, but at least it’s edible. I’m starving, so I eat it without complaint.
Swallowing the bite of food, I take a drink of water before directing my question to Rosario. “Willhereturn tonight?” I hold my breath, waiting for her response.
Rosario slowly looks up through the veil covering her face. “He’s here but has things to do, so he shouldn’t come up here.”
Shouldn’t. That’s not a definite answer.
Chase wraps his arm around me, offering me comfort. Pressing a kiss on the top of my head, he gives me a reassuring smile. I see Rosario eyeing us, but I don’t pull away. We are lucky enough to be unbound and able to touch one another for this long. Who knows if we’ll get this chance again?
The thought sends a cold chill down my spine.No, Mackenzie. Don’t give up. Think about all Chase has been through in his eighteen years on this earth. You can endure this hell until you get an opportunity to escape.
Since Rosario has been so forthcoming, I ask the burning question that has been twisting and turning inside my mind. “What’s today’s date?”
Her voice is barely above a whisper when she answers. “October 22.” Her voice becomes louder, firmer, as she stares at us through the veil. “Now hurry up and eat. Stop dawdling.”
Glaring at her, I shove the rest of my sandwich in my mouth.
“Can you give Mackenzie my sweatshirt and her jeans to wear? Or something else to wear? She’s freezing.”
Rosario spins and heads to a giant trunk with a lock. She pulls the wad of keys from her dress and, with her back to us, bends over and inserts it, twisting it before lifting the lid.
It happens so fast I think I’m dreaming. Chase jumps to his feet and sprints toward Rosario. I believe he intended to shove Rosario in the trunk, but she’s too quick. She spins around and hits Chase with the taser gun.
“Nooo.” Ignoring the soreness in my body, I leap to my feet and run to Chase, who is quivering on the floor. “Chase. Oh, shit. Are you okay?”
“I-I’m f-fine.” He lays there a few seconds, his gaze moving from me to Rosario.
