“I’m a human being, Jason,” I try to reason with him. “I’m not a piece of property. I don’t belong to anyone.”
“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong,” he snarls, baring his teeth like a rabid animal, as he pins me with a dark look that sends a shiver down my spine. “And I’ll take great pleasure in reminding you of your place. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll never consider leaving me again. But first, I have to eliminate the obstacle standing in our way. Can’t have anyone touching what’s mine and not teach him a lesson. I’ll deal with you later. Enjoy your humble accommodation while I’m gone.”
“Jason, please,” I beg, waiting for him to throw me a glance over his shoulder as he stops short just shy of the doorway. “If you hurt him, I promise you I won’t rest until you get what’s coming to you. You better sleep with one eye open because I’ll murder you when you least expect it. I don’t care if I spend the rest of my life behind bars. At least I’ll know I’ve made the world a better place.”
Jason’s dark chuckle fills the musty air around us. “Oh, babygirl. Breaking your spirit is going to be the highlight of my year. Sit tight, sunshine. I’ll be back to take you home where you belong soon enough.”
thirty-three
Cole
Present Day
With a well-placed kick, the door of the ramshackle building explodes open with so much force, it bounces off the wall and hits me square in the shoulder as I squeeze myself through the opening. Arms outstretched, I hold my weapon steady while I slip into the building and sweep the room. Finger firmly resting on the trigger, ready to end the son of a bitch who took what’s mine. It takes me all of three seconds to realize that the person I came to kill isn’t here, and I bite back my growl of frustration. Itake a minute to let my eyes adjust to the semi-dark room, and that’s when I see her.
“Jesus, Charlie. No, no, no,” I chant as I stare down at her curled-up form. She’s lying on the dirt-covered ground, shackled to the wall by a heavy chain that’s attached to her ankle. Judging by the raw skin around the thick metal band, she must’ve put up one hell of a fight trying to free herself before eventually admitting defeat.
She’s completely naked and covered in bruises, her face almost unrecognizable. Her left eye is swollen shut, and there’s a trail of dried blood that runs from just below her nose all the way to the tip of her chin. An angry looking cut splits her upper lip, and the sight of my perfect girl looking so fucking broken makes me want to throw my head back and howl in agony.
Images of a different girl flash before my eyes, her lifeless body already cold from hours of being left on the hard, unforgiving tiles of our kitchen floor as she stares up at me with dull, unseeing eyes. Images of a second set of eyes assault me. So fucking innocent but devoid of their usual light. Because of me. I force myself to shake off the memories attempting to sweep me away on a tidal wave of grief, choosing to focus instead on the woman in front of me. The one I may still be able to save.
Closing the distance with a newfound resolve, I sink to my knees in front of Charlie. I reach out with a trembling hand and firmly press two fingers to the pulse point below her ear. My whole body sags with relief when I feel the steady thrum of her heart against my skin. I bite back a sob and swallow my emotions as I pull my cell phone from my back pocket and shoot off a quick message.
Cole
Package located. Target still at large.
I send it off and drop a pin with my location, making sure to share it with the recipient. Letting my gaze glide through the darkened space, I scan my surroundings for anything resembling the key that might unlock the metal cuff holding her hostage.
She’s okay.
She’s still alive.
Unlike the psychotic motherfucker responsible for the state of her. He might not know it yet, but he’s already dead. What kind of animal chains up women like feral dogs, letting them lie in their own filth, beaten and helpless? I’ll kill him with my bare fucking hands. He signed his death warrant the second he decided to harm a hair on her head, and I would’ve hunted him down even if he hadn’t come after Charlie.
Guys like Jason don’t deserve to walk this earth, and I’m going to make damn sure he never gets the chance to fixate on someoneelse. I gingerly brush a stray curl off her face and tug it behind her ear. There’s movement behind the thin layer of skin protecting her eyes, and her mouth parts slightly, letting a shallow breath escape.
“Tink,” I coax in the faintest of whispers. Not wanting to startle her, but needing her to wake up.
“Tink,” I repeat with a little more urgency when she doesn’t stir. I wrap my palm around her shoulder and give her a gentle shake. Finally, her eyelids flutter and she blinks up at me in confusion, before recognition strikes and instant tears fill her beautiful eyes.
“Cole,” my name falls from her lips like a prayer, as she throws herself into my arms. I hold her tight, careful of her injuries but needing the contact as much as she does. Her entire body shakes with relief, and I tense when the first sob breaks free, unable to stand her pain as she pours her emotions into the crook of my neck. “You found me. I knew you’d come.”
“Of course I did,” I murmur into her hair, kissing the top of her head and squeezing my eyes shut to blink away tears of my own. “Where is he?” I ask when she pulls back. Wiping her nose with the back of her hand, she shakes her head, lower lip wobbling with the effort to remain strong.
My little warrior queen.
“I don’t know. He’s been in and out for the past few days, claiming we couldn’t be together until you were dealt with. Each time he returned, he became increasingly agitated.
Raging and ranting about how you were making his life so much more difficult. I haven’t seen him in a few hours. God, I was so scared,” she cries, cupping my face and looking me over like she still can’t believe I’m real. “I was lying here, unable to do anything and picturing all the different ways in which he might harm you. I tried getting this damn chain off my leg so I could warn you, but short of chewing my own foot off there wasn’t much I could do. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I’m not an easy man to kill, sweetheart. Trust me. He’s not the first to try,” I say in a poor attempt to lighten the mood. I breathe a little easier when it seems to have the intended effect, and the faintest smile tugs at her lips.
“Do you know where he keeps the key?”
“In his pocket. Took it with him when he left.” She pushes herself upright, and I don’t miss the wince that hints at her discomfort. My assessing gaze roams her body, searching for injuries. The way she wraps her arms around her midsection makes my stomach turn as bile rises in my throat.
“Did he touch you?” I bite out, and almost don’t recognize the sound of my own voice. It’s a ridiculous question given the state of her, but we both know what I’m really asking.
