Then she placed an object on the floor, pressed her index finger to her lips in a silencing gesture, and closed the door quietly behind her. Following her, I kneeled on the floor as my hands touched a kitchen knife with sharp edges.
A weapon.
She left me a weapon.
Gratefulness washed over me, thinking that after all they did to her, and I suspected she was in this hell way longer than I even wanted to think about, the girl hadn’t lost her spirit.
Understanding that my emotions couldn't be seen by those villains, I hid the knife in the pocket of my robe, which was deep enough to conceal the whole thing. Then I rose up, paced back and forth, and then smashed the tray to the floor, scattering all the food around.
“Let me go!” I shouted, breathing heavily as my mind hectically came up with several plans for escape.
I had to be prepared for the next time Erik came.
Because no matter what it took, I wouldn't give up without killing him first. His vile hands would not touch me again.
I might not have any hope of coming out of it alive. Who knew how many more men were outside? But inside my pocket was a weapon that could kill a rapist, or me if I wanted to. Dying seemed better than one day becoming a walking corpse like the girl who brought me food.
Rosa
“How long have you been in New York?” Orlando asked, with an easygoing smile on his face, as I tried my damnedest to act interested in this conversation.
“Born and raised here.” Orlando’s brow raised in surprise, and then he leaned forward. The smell of his cologne washed over me, and for some odd reason, I wanted to shift back.
I really shouldn’t. Finally, I had the opportunity to date.
Damian killed off all the enemies who hunted them. Those enemies were also the men who did me wrong all those years ago. Turned out, it was Erik’s father, so those who wronged me were punished as well. I had no reason to hide anymore.
I could grab my life back in my own hands and enjoy it to the fullest. Wasn't everything perfect?
Or it would have been, if the amber eyes of the pakhan didn't haunt me.
Damn it!
“So would you like to go somewhere? We can leave Frankie and Chase alone.”
When a guy ‘sort of’ asked you out, it probably wasn't good to wince. But I couldn't help it. Orlando had a lean body, amazing, silky blond hair, and the greenest eyes I’d ever seen. He had the whole Scandinavian look going on, and really, girls wouldn't consider it a hardship to go anywhere with him.
No one but me, apparently.
Before I could answer though, Frankie gasped. My eyes travelled to her as she sat closer to Chase. Whatever he said earlier to her must have shocked her enough to sit there with her mouth wide open, an expression of utter disbelief on her face.
“He did what?” her voice rose to a high pitch, a good indication she was losing her shit quickly.
“Frankie—” Chase started, but she raised her hand and stood up, grabbing her bag. “I’m going to kill him. Seriously, kill him!” With those words, she stormed out of the restaurant and left me alone with the guys.
I had strong suspicion who thehewas.
Giving the guys an apologetic smile, I put some money on the table to cover hers and my bill, and they didn't even blink.
Not that I was against feminism or anything, or didn't believe a woman should pay for herself, but when she was on a so-called double date? Hell, freaking yes, men had to pay. So this attitude put me off the guys immediately. “See you later.” They either were too stunned to answer or simply didn't care, as they just nodded.
Quickly running out of the restaurant, I studied the sidewalk on the left and then on the right. Noticing a vision in red, I quickly followed her. If she were going to her twin brother, Connor, it wouldn't take long, as he lived ten minutes away from here.
“Frankie!” I called, but she either didn't hear me or preferred to have nothing detain her from her mission.
Shaking my head in amusement, I took out my headphones and placed them inside my ears. Living without the beat of music was almost impossible for me. For so long, it was the only source of comfort I had, and I got used to it.
I got anxiety attacks without it, I kid you not.
