Page 53 of Bared Betrayal

I’m frozen, scared out of my fucking mind when the realization hits me. Someone was in here. Someone was in the house last night while I slept.

“Jesus.” I exhale, taking a step back, nothing but ice coursing through my veins.

I glance around, feeling a sense of vulnerability I haven’t experienced in years. The curtains in the living room dance with the gentle breeze from outside, casting eerie shadows on every object. The stillness is suffocating, the hairs on the back of my neck raised as unease crawls across my skin.

A sudden creaking noise comes from the entrance, and I sprint back into my room shutting the door behind me. I can’t breathe, I can’t think. Sweat breaks out all over my body, fear squeezing at my lungs, and I move quickly but quietly to the back of the closet, covering myself with garment bags and curling into a tight ball, pressing my face against my knees. My entire body is shaking, and a sickening feeling burns my stomach. I want to throw up.

This can’t be happening. Not again. Please, not again.

My phone is clenched in my hand, my fingers shaking as it moves across the screen, dialing.

“Kallie?”

“Gabriel.” I choke on a sob.

“Kallie, what’s wrong?”

With my hand over my mouth, I pinch my eyes closed, fear running rampant, seizing control over my mind, my body, every fucking muscle. “Someone…someone’s in the house.”

“Jesus Christ. Stay there. I’m on my way.”

The phone drops from my hand, and I wrap myself in a tighter ball. I tremble as I wait for something to happen. I keep waiting for the closet to be ripped open and someone to drag me out. He will take me again. I’ll be back there.

No. I can’t go back. I can never go back.

Fingers wrap around my ankle and pull hard, dragging me out of the closet. I scream as I try to claw my way back in, kicking out with my other foot. A strong hand catches it and yanks me out even farther, turning me around, his hands all over me while I refuse to open my eyes.

“Don’t take her! Leave her alone!” I scream.

“Kallie. Jesus fucking Christ. Open your eyes.”

“Let go of me!”

“Kallie!”

My eyes shoot open. “Gabriel?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“Gabriel,” I let out as relief floods over me in waves as I stare into those familiar blue eyes, and all I can do is cry—soft whimpers quickly turning into heavy sobs I can’t control.

“Jesus, Kallie.” He pulls me up and into his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around me. “What the hell is going on?”

My only response is uncontrollable sobbing, tears ripping from the fear that had me shackled to the past a few seconds ago.

“It’s okay, baby girl. You’re okay,” he murmurs while stroking his hand softly up and down my arm.

It’s like every broken, painful moment of my life comes pouring out of me in torrents of fear and sobs, my tears soaking through Gabriel’s white dress-shirt. And all I can think about while I desperately try to get a handle on my emotions is how fucking glad I am it’s him. That he’s the one comforting me, consoling me. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I never knew so much calm could come from anyone. It’s indescribable, the way it flows through me, chasing away the cold that seems like it’s been possessing me my entire life. Just by the way his scent soothes me, his presence filling the empty spaces in my soul, is enough for me to wish he’d never leave.

After what seems like hours, I finally stop crying, my cheeks burning from lingering tears. Gabriel doesn’t say anything as he picks me up, cradling me against his chest, and carries me into the living room, setting me down on the couch.

But I don’t want him to let me go, so I grab the lapels of his jacket, pulling him close. “Don’t leave.” I nestle deeper into his chest. “Don’t leave me,” I beg shakily. I don’t want the heat to go away.

“I’ll be right back.” He grabs my chin and tilts it up so I’m looking into his eyes. “I’m going to get you some water. I’m not leaving, understand?”

I nod.

“Good girl.” He brushes his thumb along my jaw, and I could so easily get addicted to the way his touch spreads life through my veins. When I’m with him, I don’t feel numb.