He claims that we met the night before he first came into the café. The fact that he stalked me on my way home and then followed me to work the next morning makes a chill pebble my skin.
All those months, he came into the café like clockwork every morning.
Until the day he finally asked me on a date.
The day after the masked man—Dane,I silently correct myself—attacked me.
“Why?” The single word is a razor blade in my throat, dragging its way out of me.
I don’t think I want to know, but I can’t help asking. I can still barely accept what’s happening to me, and I’m desperate to understand.
“Why did you ask me out? Why do any of this?”
His green eyes blaze, burning into me. “Because you’re perfect for me.”
35
ABIGAIL
Ipress my lips together to hold back the defiant words that burn my tongue. Or maybe that’s the bile that’s creeping up my throat.
I swallow hard against my rising nausea and wrench my gaze from his burning green stare. The possessiveness in his eyes is terrifyingly potent, and I can’t bear to maintain the intense connection for one second longer. He truly believes what he’s saying. I’m not sure if it’ll be possible to convince him that he’s completely delusional.
He’s decided that I belong to him.
When I look into his fiercely handsome face, I see the man I fell in love with. It’s beyond horrific to know that man was never real. Everything moment we’ve shared has been a manipulation.
I hug my arms around my aching chest, as though I can hold the shattered pieces of my heart together.
“You must be hungry,” he says, voice warm with concern.
I can’t trust in that warmth. I’ve seen his cold, merciless soul now. Any display of tenderness must be just another lie to lure me in.
I’ve always known that Dane is wickedly intelligent. I just didn’t realize that he was using that razor sharp mind against me. He’s a convincing enough actor that he tricked me into falling in love with him.
If I hadn’t gone into the powder blue house and found out what he really is, I would still be in love with him. I’d be in his bed back in Charleston, calling himMasterand giving my body to him eagerly.
I shudder at the thought. Because part of me wishes I could be that version of me—ignorant to Dane’s true nature. His crimes against me.
“I don’t feel like eating anything,” I say truthfully.
I’m not sure if I can keep food down when my gut is churning so violently.
“You haven’t eaten in nearly twenty-four hours.” His voice is heavy with admonishment now. “Come with me.”
He reaches for me, and I recoil. His hand clenches to a fist, then withdraws.
“You’ll feel better once you’ve had food.” He says it like I’m being unreasonable and providing me with sustenance will make me less cranky. “You will eat, Abigail.”
I bristle at the command, and I keep my eyes trained on the black and white tiles beneath my feet. After a tense moment, I manage to force my head to dip in a jerky nod.
Remaining in this bathroom won’t get me closer to freedom. If we truly are alone and isolated on his estate, I need to explore my cage. I won’t try to run again unless I’m certain that I have a chance of evading him. For now, I’ll remain complaint. He can compel my actions, but he can’t rule my heart.
The sooner he accepts the fact that I will never love him—that I feel nothing but revulsion for him—the sooner he’ll tire of me and release me.
He doesn’t reach for me again, and I huff out a small, relieved breath. I keep my eyes averted from his powerful body as I follow him through the bedroom. My gaze catches on the shattered remnants of the colorful, stained-glass lampshade that litter the rug, and for an insane moment, I consider snatching up one of the jagged shards to wield it as a weapon.
I grit my teeth and force my reluctant feet to carry me away from temptation. I can’t afford to attack him and lose.
