Page 30 of Stolen Temptation

Fresh, wild hope builds in my gut.

I can do this.

I’m going to scale that skylight like I’m freaking Spider-Man and pull myself to freedom.

Casting a sharp glance toward the door, I listen for approaching footsteps. Nothing. Just quiet.

I hesitate for only a moment before hopping to my feet on top of the hospital bed and eyeballing the distance.

It’s not that far.

With a little more height and a good jump?—

Wait a second.

As quickly as I can with an achy body, I climb off the bed and grope the side of the mattress.

Please, please, let there be…

My fingers curl around a plastic rectangle. I pull it out and…yes! A remote control!

I jam my thumb on the button and watch with ferocious glee as the hospital bed rises several inches higher.

I’m actually doing this. My second-ever escape attempt.

That’s when I notice the IV still stuck in the bend of my arm. It feels horrible and strange, but I don’t think twice about ripping the needle out of my skin. Drops of blood splatter the pajamas I’m wearing.

Oh hell’s bells. Pajamas.

How am I supposed to flee inthese? Another thought seizes me.

Where’s my money? And who changed my clothes? My entire face and neck burn when I imagine Rory doing it. But no, surely the nice nurse did…right?

Who cares!My brain screams.Focus on getting out of here first, worry about modesty later.

Once I’m free, I’ll have all the time in the world to stress over who stripped me down to my underwear while I was unconscious.

“Right.” I climb back onto the mattress, which is now closer to the bottom of the skylight.

A little jump is all I’ll need.

I push up onto my toes and manage to grasp the skylight handle. After a few failed attempts, the metal lever moves. Seconds later, the skylight opens. Above the casement, I glimpse…vegetation?

I squint. I was expecting a generic rooftop, but maybe the Gallaghers planted a garden up there. Seems pretty eco-friendly for a crime family, but what do I know? My only basis for comparison are the De Luca men, and I swear they got stuck in the caveman evolutionary stage.

Whatever. Here comes the tricky part.

I try to locate a handful of sturdy greenery outside the skylight’s opening so that I can struggle through the most awkward pull-up in the world. No amount of gym class could have ever prepared me forthis.

I dig my fingertips into the earth I’ve found, praying I’ll feel thick, hardy roots orsomethingI can use to haul my ass up. But as soon as I start dangling, I realize I’m not in great shape.

Whatever that kissing bastard drugged me with left me weak. My head still hurts enough that all this physical activity is dizzying. The moment I attempt to hang from my arm, the spot where I pulled out the IV announces itself.

I’m sore and bruised in multiple places, and my muscles throb with pain.

Guess I’m not eight years old anymore.

I can’t give up, though. Maybe if I try one more?—