What the fuck does that mean? Not wasting any time, Hayden and I stand back-to-back and jam our shoulders into the wood. At least this one wasn’t steel again. The door slams open, and a terrified whimper echoes from across the room. My heart splits, and a punch to the gut would have hurt less.
“Kelsey?” My voice cracks.
Garbled words of panic come from somewhere in the dark room. “Where the fuck are the lights?” I hurried, swiping my hands up and down the walls, and called Hayden to help on the other wall.
“We’re here, baby, stay calm.” I doubt my words are any comfort to her. I hope she can forgive me for being so stupid and terrible to her. I will spend my lifetime making it up to her.
“Here!” Hayden calls just as the lights illuminate the dingy room around us. Blood red wallpaper hangs loosely from the moldy walls, which explains the stench. As I drag my eyes around the room in disgust, my eyes soften, and my heart sinks when they land on Kelsey. I don’t notice Hayden as I run to her side, dropping to one knee beside the raggedy bed.
“Kelsey,” I breathe.
17
KELSEY
Tears stream down my face when I hear Ryder’s voice. They came for me. That’s all I can think about. Screaming around the gag, I try to warn him about Rocky. It’s no use, though, as my words come out as an incoherent mess. I don’t notice Hayden’s presence until he shouts that he found the light.
With the light on, an overwhelming sense of humiliation washes over me. I’m completely naked and have no ability to cover myself. I slam my eyes shut, like a child who believes if you can’t see them, they can’t see you.
Something light and warm is draped over my naked body. “Here,” Hayden says. I pop my eyes open to find his perfectly chiseled chest on display mere inches from me. He’s covered me with his shirt.
“I need to get these cuffs off without hurting her more,” Ryder says to Hayden. “Fuck, baby, your wrists!!” He examines them with eyes full of worry and… Guilt?
While Ryder works on the restraints, Hayden unbuckles the gag. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth as I work to swallow. The drool had long since dried.
“You…Need to… Hurry.” I say panting heavily. I only have enough breath to force out one word. “Rocky.”
The boys share a look before peering back down at me with wicked smirks. “No worries there, sweetheart,” Hayden says. My brows pinch in confusion.
“W-what did you do?”
“He and that doctor are coming with us. For science.” Ryder answers sardonically.
“What about Lilith?”
The boys share another look of uncertainty, which sends goosebumps over my skin. “She ran. Somehow she knew we were coming.” Ryder abuses his bottom lip in frustration. So badly I want to be the one doing that. But he doesn’t want me anyway.
“Ryder?”
“Yeah?”
“When you get the cuffs off, I’d feel more comfortable with only Hayden in here.” I request sheepishly.
Ryder flinches as if I punched him, and the pain that envelopes his face almost makes me regret asking. He purses his lips and nods once, before looking at Hayden with a look that could kill. I nibble my lower lip anxiously and pull Hayden’s shirt up over my chest, tucking it tightly under my arms while Ryder works to free my ankles more aggressively now. I remain silent, afraid that if I speak, hewill lash out. I don’t know why I get that feeling. I shouldn’t feel ashamed for asking for privacy.
Ryder stands, his spine rigid as he walks towards Hayden, fists pumping at his sides. Hayden takes a step back, holding a hand up to Ryder’s chest to keep some distance.
“Whoa, man. Don’t come at me for her choice.” Hayden says defensively.
Ryder snarls, looking down at Hayden, although Ryder is only slightly taller. “It should beme.” He spits through clenched teeth, jabbing his finger into his chest. Hayden takes a daring step closer to him, pushing his nose into Ryder’s. “Ever stop to wonderwhyshe isn’t choosing you?” Ryder winces as if the words physically pained him, and a tiny fissure splits through my heart at the thought of me causing him pain. But he hurt me, right? So, why do I feel bad?
Hayden isn’t done. Adding more insult to injury, he adds, “And maybe it’s because she’s already given herself to me.”
Ryder’s head snaps back, his eyebrows shoot up, and I gasp—horrified. I can not believe he just said that. Shame eats through my soul savagely. Ryder slowly meets my abashed eyes. My mouth moves, but nothing comes out. I’m utterly speechless.
“Is that so?” Ryder asks, his voice deep and low, almost like a growl. His question was for me, but I couldn’t answer. Instead, I palm my face and shrink away from his cold, hard glare. Without another word, Ryder walks out,slamming the door shut behind him. The force from it shook the walls and sent a shudder through my body.
Hayden crouches down beside the bed, extending his arm, gently coaxing my back in comfort. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”
