Page 25 of Protected By the Sinner

I pace the room, not even thinking about getting ready to leave. All I want to do is what I’ve always done best: run and hide.

My phone rings, and my heart pounds so loud it feels like it echoes through the silence.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

If I didn’t know for a fact I had no heart condition, I’d swear I was having a heart attack.

“Hello?”

“Amber, it’s me.”

I sit on the bed, shaking. “Oh my God. Please tell me you’re okay.”

“Calm down; I’m fine. But I can’t stay on the phone long.”

“How did they let you call me?”

“They didn’t. I escaped—with someone’s help.”

“Who?”

“Amber, calm down. This isn’t like you. I need to give you instructions, and you have to follow them exactly, okay? That man they sent you to is dangerous.”

“I know.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, but after running and hiding for so long, I can smell danger. Now that you’re free, I’m leaving.”

“Leaving where?”

“We’re in Dallas.”

“No. Stay with him until I tell you it’s safe to go.”

“But you said he’s dangerous, Elodie.”

“Yes. But if what I was told is true, you were sent to seduce him,” she says without a hint of judgment. “Which means if you’re still with him, it worked. Don’t leave or it could be the end of the line for both of us.”

“Do you realize what you’re asking me? I barely know this man.”

“Amber, listen carefully: even if he’s dangerous, he hasn’t hurt you. The men who kidnapped me threatened to do unspeakable things to both of us. They were going to sell me, whether you followed their orders or not. I’m not going back there. And I won’t risk them getting to you either.”

Instead of focusing on what she’s asking, my mind drifts to something less terrifying. “How did you manage to call me?”

“The person who helped me gave me a phone.”

“You’re telling me to stay here, but what about you? Where will you hide? I won’t be at peace unless I know you’re safe too.”

“I am, but I’ll probably have to leave the state for a while.”

“Oh my God.”

“And you’re going to keep your head down with Mr. LeBlanc until I say it’s safe. Get rid of this phone and buy a new one.”

“I’m scared.”

“I know. So am I,” she says, making the fear inside me worse. Elodie is the bravest person I know. “But we have no way out right now. You need to get rid of the phone you’re using. Both the men who took me and that LeBlanc guy could easily trace your calls. Buy a new phone and text me as soon as you can. I’ll keep this number I called you from. He assured me it’s safe.”