Page 56 of Crave

I shoved the car into gear, swinging out of the car park in a screech of tires and hauled ass back home. With every corner my mind plunged deeper into the abyss of panic. I think we broke her…

“Jesus.” I gripped the wheel and pushed the sports car harder, hurtling along the city streets as the sun started to rise.

By the time I pulled into the drive Jude was already standing outside waiting for me. The biting smell of the hot engine hit me as I climbed out.

“She won’t stop murmuring, won’t look at anyone, just stares at the wall.”

I slammed the door closed. “What the fuck happened?”

“I don’t know. I just came in to check on her and found her like that.”

“Christ.” I followed him through the rear door and into the house.

We did this.

They were the words unsaid. Still, they stayed with me as I followed Jude to her bedroom. Gabe paced the room, wrenching a desperate, savage stare my way as I entered. “Look!” He stabbed the air desperately. “Look at what you’ve done.”

I stepped around the door and stopped instantly. She sat in the corner of the room, her feet curled under her, eyes wide, staring at the wall.

Jude stared at me, waiting for me to do something. Only, I didn’t know what to do.

“Daughter. Owned. Order. The Order. I belong…I belong to the Order.”She murmured, still the words were clear.

They hit me hard.

“On your knees.”She whispered.“Owned. Daughter. The Order. The Order. The Order…”

The Order?

My pulse thundered. That place? That’s what she talked about?

“Don’t just stand there.” Gabe strode closer, pushing me toward her with a shove. “Do something!”

I jerked my gaze to him. “What the fuck do you suggest I do?”

“Owned. Controlled. No…no, Order. I obey, Order.”

I did this.

I fuckingDID THIS.

I gripped the back of my neck, squeezing the muscles as I stared at her all curled up in the corner of her damn room. I’m sorry. The words lingered on my tongue as everything and everyoneelse in the room faded. I winced at the sight of her, that menacing hunger inside me battling a new opponent, one that wanted desperately to protect her.

“Please…” she whispered and closed her eyes. “Someone help me.”

I took a step forward before I knew. Her body trembled, her skin pebbled with goosebumps. I spun around, searching her room and strode toward her bed, tearing the comforter free.

“Easy.” I murmured moving toward her. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

She looked so fucking small like that. Her legs curled up, her thin arms limp and lifeless at her side. I bent down, wrapping the blanket around her. “Angelica. Can you hear me?”

Her eyes stayed closed, but her lips moved.“Owned. Daughter. The Order…the Order.”

There was that goddamn place again. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her against me for warmth. Yes, that’s all this was…for warmth. Her boney body pressed against my chest, quaking as she shivered.

“We need to get you warm.” I murmured, glancing at the thin satin nightdress she wore. “Do you understand me? You need to come out of this now, you need to wake the Hell up.”

“He wants me here.” She whispered. “He likes it when I…”