She knew. She’d just used his reluctant confession of what his partner’s husband had said to push him away. Misery clogged her throat.
“I thought we had something between us.” His eyes were incandescent in the glow from the lamp. “But like you said, not real. Shouldn’t have assumed or tried to come off like I was an expert about your family. I apologize.”
“I...” But she could not think of a single thing to say to erase the hurt she’d caused because it had accomplished exactly what she’d wanted—severing the bond growing between them. His expression remained shuttered, his body curved in, as if he was losing the battle against physical pain.
She mumbled something and escaped to the shower. She cranked the hot water until it was almost painful. Using the berry-scented shampoo and conditioner, she washed the grit and ash from her hair, repeating until she was sure every atom had been rinsed down the drain. Thelma’s pink towels were plush and pillowy, and she helped herself to one for her body and wrapped another around her hair before she redressed. She should have felton top of the world, but there was an ache in her stomach that wouldn’t quit.
“You look like you’ve solved the mysteries of the universe,” Cullen whispered when she emerged into the kitchen. He was joking, but the animation and ease were missing.
She forced a smile. “Pretty sure I have. You might want to wait an hour before you shower because I used up all the hot water.”
He gave her a thumbs-up, no smile. “Tot’s asleep on the floor in the room with all the jigsaw puzzles. I’ll bunk there with her.”
She nodded. “I can take over baby watch in a couple hours.”
“Sure. And first thing in the morning, I’ll climb up that trail past where the bus is parked to see if I can get a signal. I’ll bring back our empty bottles so we can refill them with boiled water.”
“Do you think we can drive to the evac zone from here?”
“We’ll look at the map together. You’ll have to see if you think the bus can take the terrain.”
She yawned. “Will you and Tot be warm enough? There’s an extra blanket in the hall closet.”
“We’ll manage.” He disappeared into the back room.
“Good night,” she said faintly, but the only reply was the sound of the door closing. She trekked to the bed and climbed in, snuggling under the quilt.
She slept fitfully, waking often with a sense of panic, reminding herself where she was and that they were safe, temporarily. Her own words replayed in her mind again and again.
Stop trying to be some sort of heroin my life,okay?
Shame licked at her. Surely there must have been some other way of explaining why they wouldn’t be a couple than wounding him like that? In spite of her worry, she drifted off to sleep once more.
Sometime later, a tap on the door made her sit up. Cullen brought Tot in.
“What time is it?” she whispered.
“Four thirty. Sunup in an hour. I’m going to try for a signal.” He settled Tot on the bed next to her. The baby didn’t even stir.
Kit watched him go as he closed the door quietly. Her eyes were gritty, her body still sagging with exhaustion, yet there would be no more sleep as she waited for Cullen to return. For a while she watched Tot’s breathing, the steady rise and fall of her small chest.
She rested until she heard the squelch of boots crossing the wet ground. Cullen must have gotten a signal. Excitement surged through her. She jumped up and pulled on her shoes. Best be ready to go quickly if he got info on a nearby rescue crew or a place where a helicopter could fetch them. It would be over soon, she could feel it. She was turning to Tot when it struck her that Cullen wouldn’t approach the front of the trailer. They’d left the main door locked and used only the side door.
So if it wasn’t Cullen out there...
Terror ignited her muscles. She quickly locked herself in the bedroom with Tot. No phone. She couldn’t contact Cullen. The curtains were closed. She eased a corner up the tiniest amount. It was still dark outside, and she couldn’t spot anyone, until...
Nico moved along the alley created by this trailer andthe one next door. He was no more than six feet away, his profile clear. She shot a desperate look at the baby. If Tot woke and cried out, Nico would hear.
What do I do?
“I know you’re in one of these trailers, Kit. Your bodyguard has left you alone, right?” Nico called out.
He’d been watching, tracking, waiting. She felt the panic slowly smothering her.
“He won’t get back before I’m done with you. My brother and I, we’re very, very good at getting rid of women who don’t tow the line.”
Her heart seized. Getting rid of women ... like the ones he’d enslaved? He’d murdered them for resisting, for trying to break free. And there was only the flimsy envelope in the duffel bag to use against him. That wasn’t going to save her now.
