His fingers explore my belly, and I suck in my breath.
“He’s leaving me and Rebel alone? Jen’s body? What?” Between the goose bumps, trying to suppress my anxiety attack, and listening to what Kyler says, I’m at a complete loss for words.
“His use of 'we' suggested that he was speaking on behalf of everyone in his organization. With Jen’s body recovered, her killer apprehended, and you and Rebel safe, he hopes this brings closure.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I keep thinking about Karl’s bald head, and it takes my breath away.
“Layne?” Immediately, he lets go of me, straightens up, and bends over me. “Layne, look at me.” It’s the panic in his voice that causes me to open my eyes. “What’s going on?”
Just as he asks, his thumb strokes along the side of my chest. Even though the fabric of my shirt is between my skin and his, I immediately squeeze my eyes shut again.
As soon as that happens, he removes his hand. “Layne?” His tone has gone from panic to alarm. The bed moves under me and I suddenly can breathe again. I take a quick, deep breath.
“Hey,” he says softly. “You want to tell me…” Kyler’s voice breaks. “Layne?”
I breathe in deeply.
A sob escapes my throat. “You don’t want to hear it.”
“Honestly, I do want to know why you stiffen under my touch. Am I doing something wrong? Is it something else? What happened there? It all haunts my mind, and you aren’t saying shit. Jen got killed there, Layne… Don’t you think I’m terrified of what they did to you?”
The concern in his gaze unravels me, and I can’t stop the tears from falling.
“They locked us in cages,” I whisper and stare at the ceiling. “I shared one with Norah. There was a bucket in the corner and we had a filthy mattress covered with unfamiliar stains. The place was disgusting. Everything rested on the cold, hard concrete. The air was stale because, naturally, we couldn’t shower.”
“Shit, Layne…” are the only words that leave his mouth. His fingers stroke across my forehead and he sweeps a strand of hair back.
“The day Jen…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “It resembled a meat inspection. A check to determine our value for auction. At least, that’s what I gathered from their words.”
He runs his thumb over my cheekbone. With his hands on my face, my mind goes blank. “Go on?”
I shake my head.
“Please, Lay. I want to fully understand, to know what you went through.” The look in those gray eyes radiates so muchcompassion that I hesitate. If there’s anyone I trust, it’s Kyler, but I don’t want him to see me differently. “Please, Lay.”
I close my eyes and transport myself back to that room. Unconsciously, I grab my left wrist. It almost feels like I can feel the rope rubbing against my skin again. “Our wrists were bound, and we were suspended from meat hooks attached to the ceiling.” The sound is barely more than a whisper, but it’s impossible to get the words out at a normal volume.
When I open my eyes, Kyler’s Adam’s apple moves roughly as he swallows.
“That guy cut our shirts open and…” A lump forms in my throat. I breathe in with a wheezing sound and put my hand around my neck.
“You were naked, weren’t you?” Kyler’s voice sounds dark.
With my eyes tightly closed, I nod.
“Motherfuckers,” he says through clenched jaws. “I had my suspicions, but hearing you say it… Goddamn it.” Sighing, he leans forward and kisses my shoulder. “That’s not all, is it?”
I shake my head, because I don’t want to continue. My eyes slam shut, and fresh tears roll down my cheeks. “I can’t…” I choke out. “I can’t.”
Thirty-Six
Myfistsareclenchedso tight it hurts. I’m lying next to her, gripping the sheets like they’re the only thing keeping me grounded. I don’t know exactly what those bastards did to her—but whatever it was, they deserve to bleed for it. Badly. Goddamn it.
“Lay,” I rasp, swallowing hard. “I just… I need to—” How the hell do I tell her I need to touch her without hurting her? I’m scared to even breathe too loud.
“It’s all in my head, Ky,” she whispers. “I want it out… but my body’s not listening.” She exhales shakily. “Please. Just… touch me. Slowly.”
Her eyes flutter closed, and my fingers—trembling, cautious—trail down her arm and slip beneath the sleeve of her shirt,brushing against the soft curve of her collarbone. I inch closer, press my lips to her jaw, barely a kiss. She lets out a long breath.
