“How?” she stuttered.
“You’ve been unconscious for two days. The doctor says it’s because you are malnourished. When is the last time you ate?”
“I don’t know.” Everly folded her arms across her chest as she stood. “It wasn’t exactly the Hilton where I was being held.”
“I noticed.” Cristian pulled some sweats from his dresser and slipped them on. He tossed Everly a spare pair and grinned. “These will be big on you, but until Katya gets back with some clothes, it will have to do.”
“Katya? Is that your wife?”
Cristian snorted. “You wouldn’t be in my bed if I was married. Katya is my brother’s wife—well, almost wife.”
“Oh.” Everly tugged the cotton fabric on and drew the string tight. “Why am I here?”
Cristian stepped toward her. He stood in front of her and brushed the loose hair from her face. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“You’re going to let me leave this room?”
“You can go wherever you want, Everly. You aren’t a prisoner here.”
Everly sucked in a breath. Was he serious? He paid a million dollars for her and she wasn’t a prisoner?
“Can I go home?”
“Not yet. I need to make sure the man who took you is put out of commission. Once I know you’re safe, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
Everly’s eyes filled with tears as her heart began to beat against her chest. It was like her lungs couldn’t get the air they needed, making the room spin. Cristian wrapped his arms around her, easing her onto the edge of the bed.
“Breathe, Everly.”
She willed her heart to slow and took a deep, meaningful breath. Her head hummed with the sound of blood rushing through her veins. Cristian put some space between them, making Everly even more confused. This man had paid for her and he wasn’t forcing her to do anything. “I don’t understand.”
“What don’t you understand? I bought you to save you, Everly. I have no intention of forcing you to do anything just because you’re here.”
“But.” She whimpered as she wiped away the tears staining her face.
“No buts. When I touch you, it will be because you want me to. Until then, I’ll wait.” His body filled the door frame. “Come downstairs when you’re ready. I’ll have something to eat waiting for you.”
Everly sat perched on the edge of the bed, taking in the room. It was a far cry from what she had been accustomed to. The bed was massive, filling up an entire side of his room. She forced herself to stand and padded her way to the door. Catching sight of the bathroom, Everly decided a shower would do her wonders.
She was momentarily awestruck by the sheer size of the room. The clean lines and chrome fixtures gave the room a luxurious vibe. Everly turned the knob, allowing the water to spill from the ornate shower head. Once she stripped her clothes off, she stepped beneath the spray. The warmth of the water washed over her, making her feel alive for the first time in months. Her mind strayed to her friend, Carla. Was she alive still? And if so, was she being hurt? Everly closed her eyes and leaned against the tile. Her friends had probably forgotten about her by now.
She wondered if her parents were still looking for her or had she been presumed dead. Everly couldn’t contain the emotions she was feeling and slid to the floor. Her body rocked with the sobs escaping her lips as her body convulsed from the pain she was feeling.
“Everly?” Cristian pushed open the bathroom door. “Shit.” He rushed into the stall and kneeled beside her. The water soaked through his sweatpants as he scooped her naked form into his arms. In two long strides he had her wrapped in a towel and perched on the bathroom counter. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“No,” Everly whispered, afraid to look into his eyes. Her humiliation was hidden beneath the pink tint of her skin. “It’s too much.”
“What’s too much? Should I call the doctor? Katya?” Cristian scooted her to the edge and moved to stand, but Everly grabbed his arm.
“Please don’t leave me.”
The fear he saw in her eyes was gut-wrenching. This woman had been broken down to the point of being lost and unsure. He wanted to gather her in his arms and make all the hurt go away. Just as he was about to do that very thing, his cell phone rang.
“This better be good.”
"Iwouldn’tcallyouif it weren’t. We have a problem.” Matias sounded irritated.
“What?”
