Page 217 of Love Me in the Dark

He said he had me for a week and then I’d be handed off again. New tears I didn’t think possible sprung to my eyes. What was going to happen to me?

Heavy footsteps on the stairs drew my attention away from my fear. I would have time later to worry about the future, I had to deal with this moment right now. And if I was going to survive him, survive this place, I would have to keep my mind focused.

“The bath’s ready.” He unlocked the cage and swung the door open just enough to come inside with me. Instinct told me to shove him and bolt from the door, but sense won out. He was at least twice my size. More than a head taller, and the man had muscle beneath that dark gray button-down shirt he wore.

I moved up to my feet and raised my wrists. “Can you take these off? They hurt.”

“When we get upstairs, I’ll take a look at that.” He gently wrapped his hand around my forearm, careful not to put pressure near my wrists. “Let’s go.”

I shuffled forward, taking careful steps and following him out of the cage. I made my way up the wooden stairs, looking ahead of him as he led me. There was another door, maybe six feet away from the cellar door. Did it lead outside? Maybe I could get out and run. I had no idea where I was, but there had to be another house somewhere close.

“The bathroom’s this way.” When he stepped off the stairs, he blocked my view of the back door and pointed toward a kitchen. He grabbed my arm again, harder this time, and pulled me through the kitchen. Away from the door. My chest tightened.

The bathroom came into view. The large door was open wide. A gentle steam rose from the tub. My aching muscles nearly wept at the idea of sinking into a hot bath. But I didn’t have time for a soak. From the rays coming in through the window, I knew I only had an hour or two left of sunlight outside. If I was going to get out of there before dark, I had to get moving.

“Stand here.” He brought me into the bathroom and pressed me against the counter next to the sink. He pulled out a knife from his back pocket and flipped the blade out. I pinched my lips tightly as he wiggled the blade between my wrists beneath the rope. In one hard tug, he cut through the rope and pulled the rough material away from my wrists.

As soon as my eyes took in the raw skin, the burning pain pierced my brain. I hissed and tried to pull away when he lightly touched the skin.

“No.” He flicked my nose. “Stay still.”

I blinked, stunned for a moment.

He turned my hands over and then back again. “We’ll get these cleaned up in the bath then I’ll put some medicine on them before I wrap them.”

“Don’t tie me up again.” I raised my gaze up from my wounds to his eyes. Dark blue, almost kind if I were to stare long enough into them.

“I won’t tie your hands.” He let go of my wrists. “The water’s warm but not too hot. Take advantage, you won’t be getting so much spoiling later on.” He stepped away from me to open a small closet where the linens were kept.

My throat tightened, which is probably the only thing that kept my heart from jumping straight out of me. Once he grabbed a towel, he turned his back to me, shaking it out.

Go!

I bolted. There was probably another door in the front of the house, but I couldn’t waste time looking for what I wasn’t sure about.

“Gabby! Dammit!” he yelled my name from the bathroom. I pushed myself to move quicker. My legs were heavy, but I had to keep going. I rounded the corner in the kitchen, slipping on the floor, but managed to stay upright.

Please let the door be unlocked. Please!

“Get back here!” His footsteps weren’t far behind.

I yanked on the door handle and almost wept when the door flung open at me. I shoved through the screen door and jumped to the grass. After a fast survey, all I could make out were trees. In all directions.

The screen door creaked behind me, and again I took off. My bare feet crunched sticks and leaves as I ran through the massive yard toward the tree line. The leaves had already begun turning and falling from the trees, making every step I took an announcement of my location.

I wouldn’t be able to hide, so I’d have to rely on running faster than him.

My lungs burned, my chest ached, but I pushed harder and harder to get to the trees. Maybe I could lose him in the forest. I heard him behind me, cursing at me, but I didn’t waste time looking back. I’d seen plenty of movies to know the moment I turned my head, I’d trip over a rock or a root.

But it didn’t matter.

“Last chance to be a good girl and come back!” he bellowed from behind me.

“No! Leave me alone!” I screamed. “Help! Someone help!”

A sharp pain bit my ass cheek as I tried to turn into the trees. My legs went limp, my mind swirled. The last thing I saw was his boots coming toward me.

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