Page 25

I could use the ensuite bathroom attached to the master, but I’d rather the relative privacy of this one.

Yes, I know there are going to be plenty of non-romantic moments in Gage and my relationship, but waking him up in the middle of the night by flushing the toilet—especially after having sex for the first time—isn’t something I’m crazy about doing.

Once the insistent demand of my body is relieved, I decide to spend an extra few minutes freshening up before heading back to bed.

I run a brush through my hair, check for any rogue zits that might have popped up in the hours since we fell asleep, and quickly brush my teeth so my breath will be fresh- ish in the morning.

As I look in the mirror, I smile at myself. Maybe it’s true, what Isla’s always said. I am pretty, even though my brain didn’t want me to believe it.

Setting the spare toothbrush back in the rack, I flick the lights off, and, as an afterthought, glance out the window.

I’m not sure why, maybe to catch a glimpse of the moon, or to appreciate the brilliance of the stars peeking through the canopy of trees.

I’m definitely not expecting to see a flash of light from below.

My body stiffens. A burst of adrenaline surges.

My pulse ratchets to double speed.

It’s nothing , the rational part of my brain insists. Just Enzo taking one of the dogs for a late-night potty break. Or it’s Leo or Georgia getting a breath of fresh air.

But reason is pushed aside as panic takes over.

The walls close in.

My lungs freeze.

I sink to the floor, my legs not feeling my own.

My heart hammers against my chest in uneven, echoing beats.

Darkness encroaches, cold and creeping.

And with it, suffocating fear.

Safe , I try to tell myself. I’m safe here.

But I don’t feel safe.

I’m scared.

I look around me, but I can’t see anything. Not the bathroom walls. Not the vanity. Not the plush blue towels hanging from the rack. It’s just an expanse of dark.

No.

It’s not.

I see trees. Just shadows of them, their leaves rustling in a quiet breeze.

And there. A sliver of moon. A sprinkling of stars.

The aroma of pine and soil and fading flowers wraps around me.

Something crunches nearby. A foot on a branch. An animal diving into the bushes.

A chill bites into my skin, springing up goosebumps and making me shiver.

Realization slams into me.

I’m not in the bathroom. I’m in the woods.

But why?

Then.

Another crunch. And another. Coming faster and faster.

The sound of heavy breathing comes closer. Close enough that I can feel it on the back of my neck.

Forget scared. I’m terrified.

My brain screams at me, Move! Run! You have to get out of here!

I try to run, but it’s like I’m moving through mud.

Then something heavy crashes into me. Not something. Someone .

I’m knocked to the ground, all the air rushing out of me. As I struggle to breathe, I’m flipped over. My wrists are grabbed roughly and pinned above my head.

In the dim moonlight, angry eyes glare at me.

“You fucking bitch,” the man snarls.

He’s not wearing a mask. I can see his beard. His narrowed glare. The hook of his nose. The scar intersecting his right eyebrow.

Blood streams from a cut on his forehead. A cut I put there?

As I’m still trying to make sense of things, his fist snaps out. Pain explodes as it slams into my forehead. Fog edges into my vision. Everything spins.

“You fucking hit me,” he spits. “You fucking bitch. How the fuck am I supposed to explain this bruise tomorrow?”

For a few seconds, we just stare at each other. My lungs are just starting to work. The fog begins to dissipate. My brain shrieks for me to run again.

I start to buck against his hold, but he climbs onto me and holds me down.

I’ve never felt terror like this before.

“Please,” I wheeze. “Just let me go. I don’t know what you want, but I’ll give you money. I won’t call the police. Just?—”

“I’m already getting money,” he replies. His voice is dark. Malicious. “And there’s nothing you can do. It’s too late.”

Then his hands wrap around my throat.

They squeeze.

I try to get free, but he’s too strong. Too heavy.

My lungs beg for air.

My mind begs silently, Please, no. I’m not ready to die. Not now. Not like this.

But what can I do?

I’m in a narrowing tunnel leading to someplace I don’t want to go.

I want Gage.

I want a chance.

Despair settles over me. Hopelessness.

Then.

Determination.

In a stroke of clarity, I realize there is something I can do. It might not work. But at least I can try.

I won’t give up. Not now. Not ever.

“Rory!”

If I can just ? —

“Rory!”

But I can’t breathe.

I’m scared.

Will this work? Oh, please ? —

“Rory!”

A shout shocks me back to reality. Not the evil, menacing voice, but one I recognize.

Strong arms are wrapped around me, hugging me to a firm chest.

“Rory, baby, talk to me. Please.”

The voice—Gage’s voice—is rough with worry.

Though the memories are still clinging and heavy, I drag myself back to the present. Back to Gage, who’s watching me with something close to panic in his eyes.

“Gage?” It’s barely a croak.

He exhales heavily. “Ror, baby. Are you back with me?”

I have to blink a few times to refocus. “Yes. I… what happened?”

He sits on the floor and pulls me into his lap. “Shit, baby. You woke me up, screaming. I didn’t know where you were at first. I thought… shit. I thought someone got in?—”

With a trembling hand, he strokes my hair. Kisses my forehead. “When I found you in here, you were still screaming. Then you started gasping. Like you couldn’t breathe.” His eyes close for a second. “You scared the crap out of me, Ror.”

I rest my head on his chest, taking in shuddering breaths as I try to calm myself down.

“What happened?” Gage asks gently. “Are you sick? Hurting? Did you?—”

Lifting my head, I meet his gaze. “I… I remember.”

“You remember?”

“That night. I got up and came in here to use the bathroom so I wouldn’t wake you up. Then I saw a light outside?—”

“A light outside?” Gage lifts me against his chest and stands, carrying me out of the bathroom. He hurries back to the bedroom and snatches up his phone while holding me with one arm, which I distractedly note is extremely sexy.

He taps the screen a few times, then barks, “Enzo. Rory saw a light outside. Not long ago. Was that you or—” Stopping, he listens for a few seconds. Then he says, “Okay. Thanks. We might have something to report. Rory says she remembers. But I need to talk to her. I’ll call you in the morning.”

Once the call ends, he tosses the phone aside and sits on the bed, cuddling me on his lap again. “Enzo was out with the dogs. It’s fine. Safe.” A beat, and then in a soothing tone, “What did you remember, baby?”

I huddle closer to him, letting his warmth seep into my chilled skin. “All of it. That night… I saw something outside. A light, like tonight. I thought it was someone leaving a dog. It’s happened before. So I went out to look. When I got to the barn, that’s when…”

Another shudder shakes me. Gage kisses my head. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

“It was the man. He lunged at me, knocked me down. But I hit him with my flashlight. It was enough to get away. At least… for a while. Then… he caught me again. I couldn’t get free. He started to choke me?—”

“Fuck.” It’s angry. Gritted through a clenched jaw.

“I didn’t know what to do. So… I held my breath. Pretended to be unconscious. I didn’t think it would work, but then… he left. And I just lay there, too scared to move. Finally, I tried to go home. But I was so dizzy and felt so sick, I tripped into a pile of leaves and I guess I passed out.”

“Rory.” Gage’s throat bobs. “Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. We’ll find him. I swear it.”

“Gage.” I raise my head. “After I hit him. He must have taken off his mask. And I… I saw him. I remember what he looked like.”