Page 84 of Crave

“Gone.” He stepped closer. “You don’t have to worry about them anymore. They won’t be a problem.”

The hard, dangerous way he said the words made me wonder what had gone down while I was asleep. But I couldn’t think about that now. My stomach clenched as dread washed through me.

There was that sickening wave of terror. That knowing inside that something terrible had happened. Something far more terrible than anything my brothers had done.

“You’re safe with me.” Gabe moved closer. “I promise.”

I gave a nod and slipped from the bed, grabbing my phone from the nightstand. “Let me shower and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

I didn’t wait for him to answer, I just scurried around him and raced for the door and made for my bedroom. I grabbed my things, plucking a light caramel colored dress from the hanger in my wardrobe as well as matching underwear and headed for the bathroom.

I needed to shower and get my head right and I couldn’t do that, not like this. I headed for the bathroom that Gabe and I used and closed the door behind me. The heady scent of his cologne still lingered. I hung my dress up and placed my underwear down before meeting my gaze in the mirror.

ANGEL, PLEASE!

NOOO!

I flinched with the faint terrified screams of my father. My eyes widened, my breaths were trapped. In the back of my head that terrified knowing came alive. Something happened. Something Iremembered last night and now…now there was a gaping hole in my memories. One that threatened to swallow me whole.

I stepped backwards, yanking my shirt and pyjamas free before I stepped into the shower. The hot spray did little to quell the ice inside. I dipped my head backwards, shampooing my hair, taking my time as my thoughts returned to that moment. It was right there at the edge of my memory.

NO ANGEL!

PLEASE!

A bitter scent pinched my nose making my eyes sting. But it couldn’t be, not while I was under the water. I knew that scent. Knew it in the pit off my stomach. I coughed and spluttered, lunging out of the spray until I spun and hit the taps, switching the water off.

My hands were shaking as I reached for the towel. Still, I grabbed one and hurried to dry myself. Normally I enjoyed taking my time, but not today. Today I dried and slipped on my underwear before grabbing the dress. Maybe this was a bad idea. Silas’s baggy sweats and t-shirt felt more natural. Something I could hide in that wasn’t me.

The thought of his scent around me made me rethink. I had no other option than to wear what I had. I tugged the dress on, smoothing it down my body and tugged the zipper along my side until it closed. I needed to get it together, and I needed to stop this fantasy in my head.

Because it wasn’t real.

It couldn’t be.

I grabbed my pajamas and wet towel, tossing them down the clothes chute before I dragged a brush through my wet hair, grabbed my phone and walked out. The smell of bacon wafted from the kitchen. Gabe said the others weren’t here, still part of me didn’t believe him, leaving me to step cautiously along the hallway toward the sounds of our sizzling breakfast.

But the moment I neared the front door a shadow shifted. Through the frosted thick panel of glass I saw a figure standing outside. For a second I thought it was Silas returning. I froze staring as whoever it was cupped his hands and pressed his face to the glass.

It wasn’t Silas.

It was Lincoln.

How long had he been standing there?

Long enough to watch me walk down the hall.

He fixed his gaze on me and motioned me forward. That heady rush sent a chill through me. The doorbell was right there, still he didn’t use it. He wanted me to open the door for him…and only me. I glanced toward the doorway of the kitchen and looked back.

Lincoln waited, watching me through the glass as I slowly took a step and then another. The lock gave a snap, but it was muffled as Gabe unleashed a curse and the door swung inwards.

“Angelica.” Lincoln murmured.

His name was a whisper. “Lincoln.”

One careful glance toward the kitchen and he stepped inside, moving closer to me in such a predatory way it made me freeze.

“I know your little secret, Angel.” He murmured. “All that blood.” He lifted his hand, brushing the wet strands of my hair as his eyes twinkled. “You were covered in it, weren’t you?”