Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Yes. I have food. And a game. You will like it. I will let you roll first.” But I put my haul on the table and approach him in quick strides. I’m hoping he won’t address what we did in the shadows last night. I’m slightly ashamed that I went with it. That I once again came when he did, and worst of all—I’m convinced he knows that too.
What happens in the dark, must stay in the dark.
Angel blinks, but his movements are sluggish. “I don’t feel so good…”
I scoot by the bed, alarmed. “Oh no. How so?” He’s a bit flushed, and I hate myself a little that it makes me think of him getting aroused when he’s clearly unwell.
His hand slides over mine as he leans forward, tucking his head against my chest. “I have… heart problems, and I don’t have my meds. That’s probably why. Plus, it’s so scary when I’m alone I get palpitations.”
Blood drains from my face. I grab his hand even though I worry mine is sweaty. “What meds? What do you need?” I’m a man on a fucking mission.
“The world’s spinning so fast. I missed you,” he mumbles. “Maybe a doctor could help…”
I freeze, trapped in this hell of my own making. I put my hand over his heart and it is beating fast, which unnerves me even more. This is all happening because I chose to take him with me. On the other hand, I couldn’t have let that bastard hurt him. And I couldn’t have left him behind as a witness to my crime either.
“Has this ever happened before?”
Angel nods, pulling himself up so he sits on the bed while leaning on me. “They did some tests, and then I got an IV…”
“Angel. I can’t take you.” I hate how my voice trembles. It never does that. I’m always to the point with other people, but the tenderness he evokes in me is overwhelming.
His chin trembles as he seeks out my gaze. “You’ll leave me to die?”
His voice rings in the hollow of my skull, and at once I can’t breathe, succumbing to the burden of his accusation. Because if this is not just a fainting spell, if he’s really in a bad state, am I ready to watch his light grow dim, then go out in front of me when there’s a doctor in the village?
I have to take a few deep breaths as I think. “No. No. Of course not. I won’t. But, and I know you won’t like this, you have to let me tie you up.”
Angel hisses, pressing one hand to his chest. “Fuck…”
“I know, I will take care of you.”
I get the zip ties even as his gaze becomes accusatory. I deserve it. He didn’t choose to be here, and no amount of sandwiches and pancakes can change that.
Chapter 9
Angel
I can’t believe I’m zip-tied, gagged, and blindfolded again, but at least we’re on the move. The faked illness is a low blow, but if I’ve learned anything from true crime documentaries, it’s that the longer a person remains in captivity, the smaller the chance of them ever resurfacing again. And as gentle as Creep seems, I’d rather not risk remaining his cave-mate forever.
Still, I expected him to see right through me, but he fell for the lie, not once questioning my words, almost as if he were… naive.
He’s in a biker gang. He killed Adam with no remorse. Snapped his neck as if he’s done it many times before.
But he looks at me like I’m a precious butterfly and if he handles me too roughly, my wings might break. It’s endearing, even though it shouldn’t be.
I’m led through the tunnels, and at this point, I don’t even try to remember the maze of twists and turns. I have to depend on him with every step, so his sturdy presence is strangely soothing. He smells of fresh pastries, which is also reassuring. It makes me feel like there will be light at the end of this long and dark tunnel.
I know we’re out when my foot hits what has to be grass, and I barely keep myself from crying. Fresh air. Grass. Sun on my skin. I’m out of the caves. Away from wild vultures that might hunt me down for killing their young. Once again, saliva is dampening my chin, but this time I know my captor plans to help me, and that makes the terror of being deprived of my words and sight less terrifying.
I make sure to keep breathing as if I’m about to have a panic attack. There I was thinking this whole idea was pretty much a fluke, but he keeps slowing down and stroking me as we go over soft terrain. I recognize moss, leaves, and ground. An owl hoots somewhere above, and I lean into him, because the lack of vision is so disorienting I worry it’s about to fly straight into me. But my flawed hero shushes me gently just as I notice a familiar noise from someplace close.