Willing myself to open my eyes, I blinked and blinked. I caught a glimpse of his profile, and I couldn’t believe who it was.
Not Alek, thankfully.
But I couldn’t believe it was Chris. How did we get into bed together?
As my eyes focused more, I discovered we were not in my bedroom or at a hotel. It was the most basic room. But the linens smelled like him, and that brought me comfort.
I managed to roll onto my side and face him. Why did he have to be more handsome than when we were teenagers? It was a miracle I’d been able to resist him all this time.
But lying next to him in bed might be when my walls crash down and I surrender.
“Hey. Chris.” I stroked his shoulder. “I’m confused. How did I get here?”
He jerked and his eyes flashed open and he turned his face toward mine. “You’re awake.”
“Just now. Where am I?”
“In my bedroom at the club. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?” He brushed my hair off my face and stared at me.
“Water would be great. Maybe some mouthwash.” I covered my mouth, embarrassed to have morning breath in front of him.
“I’ve got water right here.” He extended his arm back, lifted a bottle of water off a nightstand and presented it to me. “I’ll help you sit up. Go slow.”
“Thanks. Please explain to me what’s going on.” Sitting up, I felt woozy and lightheaded. But I could handle it.
He twisted off the cap and held it for me to drink.
“That’s better. Thanks.” I pushed the bottle away.
He chugged some of my water like he was parched too.
I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down, then my gaze moved toward his bicep. It had a date tattooed on it, but I couldn’t make out the numbers.
“You’ve been out for hours.” He set the bottle on the table. “I tried to stay awake but I must have eventually crashed out.”
“What do you mean out?”
“You don’t remember what happened? They said the drug might prevent you from fully recalling the incident, but your memory will return.”
“Wow, slow down. What drug and incident?”
“Alek tried to take you, but when you fought back, he drugged you.”
“Oh my gosh. How am I here if he took me?”
“Me and my crew came to your rescue.” He watched me with an arched brow. “I brought you to the clubhouse to keep you safe. Alek is still on the loose.”
Slowly, I was piecing it all together. “There was a masked man driving the car.”
“He’s dead.”
I slid down and pulled the blanket up to my chin as the most terrifying experience of my life started to come back to me.
“Alek had a gun. He said if I didn’t cooperate that he’d kill me.” Tears pooled in my eyes, but I didn’t want to cry. I was alive and safe. There was a lot to be grateful for because it could have ended very badly for me.
“I won’t let him hurt you.” He laced his fingers with mine. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
I believed him. “What time is it?”
