Her IV pump beeps, signaling its completion, and Alice works on removing the catheter, trying not to wake her from her sleep.
“Would you like me to wake her?” She asks in a hushed tone.
I’ve already stood and prepared to carry her toourroom. “Not necessary. Thanks for your help.” Making sure Kelsey’s blanket is tucked tightly around her small body, I scoop her up with one arm under her knees and the other supporting her head, tucked cozily into my chest. I kiss her forehead, unable to hold it back any longer. She is allmine.
The rooms here aren’t much, but they suffice. The beds are as good as sleeping on a box of springs on a garage floor, and the only lighting in here is a tiny table lamp that barely illuminates a third of the room. After lying Kelsey in the creaky, I fill the sink with warm water and squirt a little complimentary body wash until the water is slightly sudsy. Using one of the rags, I dip it in the water and hold it in my fist to keep it warm while I walk over to Kelsey’s sleeping body. I start with her face, wiping away the dried blood and dirt. I rinse the rag and repeat until Kelsey’s no longer covered in dirt and blood. I don’t know how I managed it, but I was able to dress her in a clean t-shirt and sweatpants without waking her.
Choosing to let her sleep in the bed, I make myself comfortable in the armchair in the corner of the room. As much as I want to lie next to Kelsey, I don’t want to push my luck that far yet, especially after what Rocky did to her. So I admire her from a distance. I was so wrong about Kelsey. She’s exactly what we needed—what I needed.
Kelsey rolled to her side, facing away from me, and I got to work. After texting Theo to ask how Amelia is handling life outside of that prison, I texted Teegan about my plan to locate Lilith. We’ll have to use Rocky andGraves to lure her to us, which should be easy enough. Teegan erased all security footage of us ever being there, so she’ll have no idea we’re the reason Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum have gone missing.
Now, to get rest before we high-tail it back to North Carolina and get to work on the two jackasses unconscious in my trunk.
18
KELSEY
“When can I have my go with her?” That bitter baritone voice asks.
“I already told you, Rocky paid top tier for the first week to break her in.” The woman coos as if consoling an angry toddler.
The old man grumbles under his breath, “I’d better get next week then. I don’t work here for free, Lilith.”
Lilith’s head snaps in his direction, and the expression on her face could freeze Hell over. I feel numb and paralyzed. Why can’t I run? Scream? Everything is so hazy and foggy, the unfamiliar room spins around me. The words that come out of Lilith’s mouth next sting like venom, “I can surely make arrangements for your termination, Graves.”
Something about that doesn’t seem right, and Graves’s features confirm exactly how I understood her, too. He wouldn’t be leaving alive.
An obnoxious sound, no, beeping breaks up their heated glares. “Kels, it’s time to wake up.”
How did he get here? It’s not safe, I have to tell him to run. Words won’t come out. Sweat coats my chained hands and forehead as I try to thrash and buck.
“Baby, it’s okay, just wake up.” He calls again.
My eyes snap open with an ear-piercing scream as Ryder holds a cool washcloth to my forehead. Jolting upright, I notice the beeping is the alarm clock, and I’m safe in the motel room with Ryder. It was just a nightmare.
“That’s it. Deep breaths. I’ve got you, and you’re safe.” He speaks softly, running his hand gently up and down my back. “Here. Drink this. You need the electrolytes.”
I reach up and grab the bottle with shaky hands and gulp it down. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was. I was so exhausted that all I could think about was sleep. I run the back of my hand over my lips to dry them off. “Thank you,” I say, half dazed from the nightmare.
“Are you okay?” He asks, and I nod while biting my lower lip. I’m not okay, but I will be. The last thing I’ll do is appear weak to anyone and get myself in the same fucked situation.
“Would you like to shower before we hit the road?”
I look down, fully expecting the hospital gown. My brows crease in confusion before I lift my gaze to Ryder. “Did you change me?”
“I figured this was more comfortable than the scratchy shit you had on. I wiped off what dirt and blood I could, but didn’t want to risk waking you to wash your hair.”
Tingly warmth curls low in my stomach. That might be the sweetest thing anyone’s done for me, but that warmth fades as the memory of his words comes crashing back in. I tuck my knees into my chest and wrap my arms tightly around them, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
“Is that a yes or…?” He drawls, waiting for my answer.
“Yes.”
“I had your soaps and stuff delivered early this morning. I didn’t want you to have to use the complimentary shit.” He says as he stands and walks to the armchair.
“How did you…?” I start to ask.
“How did I what?” He interrupted. “Know what you use? You should know by now I’ll find out whatever I want to, whenever I want to.” That devilish smirk appeared.
