But I know that when Victoria gets better and finds out the things I’ve done, she’ll never forgive me. And even though I’ve been trying to mentally prepare myself for that moment, I know I’ll never get over the fact of losing her again.
I already lost her once. And I don’t think I could survive letting her go a second time.
“Stay with me, Victoria. Always,” I breathe against her cool cheek.
CHAPTER 16
VICTORIA
THE DOOR CREAKING open wakes me up, and all I can think is…will this be the last time? Will they actually drown me this time?
Two big, burly men wrestle me out of the blanket on the cold, concrete floor and drag me out of the room and down the hall.
I bite and scratch and scream, because I know what’s going to happen next.
There’s a large tub full of water in the middle of the room, and they immediately take me to it. The water is black this time, unlike all the times before. I can’t even see how deep it is. And before I can even take a breath, my head is forced into the water.
Struggling, I fight against the men as I try not to breathe.
I can feel myself getting lightheaded and gasping for air.
I can’t breathe!
I can’t breathe!
“Victoria!” Someone screams my name, and my eyes fly open. I’m in a dark room.Is it the same room they kept me in?
My fingernails are clawing at my throat as I gasp for air. “I can’t breathe!” I yell, my voice high-pitched and hysterical with panic. “I can’t breathe!”
Strong hands wrap around my arms and pull my hands away from my neck, holding my arms at my sides. “You were dreaming, Victoria. It was a nightmare! Just a dream,” he says hurriedly.
It takes me several moments before I’m able to calm myself down. A coughing fit takes over then, and my sore lungs throb in pain with the force of it. It feels like knives are stabbing me from the inside.
A large hand moves to my forehead. “Fuck, you’re burning up,” the voice says.
My vision blurs as I reach for the hand. “Arlo?” I ask the darkness.
After a pause, he answers, “Yes.”
I instantly begin to relax. “You carried me away to heaven,” I tell him, remembering what happened before the bad dream.
Arlo’s hand slips out of mine as he tells me, “I’m gonna go get the doctor. I’ll be right back, Victoria.”
I want to tell him not to go, but I’m too tired to keep my eyes open. So, I drift off to sleep once more.
CHAPTER 17
DAMON
I CAREFULLY WATCH the doctor adjust Victoria’s meds through her IV and check her vitals.
“She’s not getting better. Why is she not getting better?” I ask with a growl. But the question that I really want to ask isWhat are you doing wrong?
I thought I had hired the best doctor. Fuck, he’s here under duress, so he has all the motivation he needs to make Victoria well again. As we speak, my guys are currently keeping tabs on his wife and children. They’re on strict orders not to hurt them unless I give the word.
Doc told ‘em he had an emergency with a patient to deal with and that he’d be gone for a few weeks.
His family doesn’t know they’re being watched or that their lives depend on what happens here with Victoria. Only the doc knows how much danger they’re really in.
