Chapter 16
The room was smalland modest, but was a palace compared to the shithole those men had kept her in.
There was a small, square table with two chairs next to the window, and two queen-sized beds with a nightstand in between. The beds looked like heaven, but it was the small, white door at the back of the room that held her focus.
“Go ahead,” she heard Jake say from behind her. Olivia turned around and watched as he sat his backpack—and that damn sack— down in one of the chairs.
“You sure?” She scrunched her nose. “You’re sort of a mess, too.”
He smiled. “I’m sure I am, but I can wait. Take your time. I’ll get one of the guys to make a food run.”
Her stomach chose that moment to make its presence known, and Jake chuckled at the growling coming from inside of her.
“What sounds good?”
“Anything. You know me...I’m not picky.”
“Alright. Go get cleaned up, and I’ll see what we can find.”
Olivia walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. For a moment, she just stood there, leaning back against the door.
This is real.She was in a motel room. With Jake. And she was safe. At least for tonight, she wassafe.
Her eyes began to fill, but she blinked the tears away and got the water running. If she started crying now, she’d never stop. Waiting for the water to get hot, she began removing the things from her sack.
First, she pulled out a long sundress. It was black, with wide straps and brightly colored flowers. A pair of simple, black sandals came next, followed by a pair of black silk panties and a matching bra. Olivia blushed at the thought of Trevor and Derek picking out such intimate items for her.
When she saw the size printed on the bra’s tag, Olivia smiled to herself. With Trevor’s movie-star looks, it was no wonder the man was an expert on such things.
To sleep in, Olivia had expected to find a modest pair of pajamas or loose bottoms and a tank top. Instead, what she held in her hands was the most beautiful silk nightgown she’d ever seen.
It was a blush-colored, floor-length gown with a bit of black lace along the sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps. Having never owned such a beautiful nightgown, she just held it there and stared.
A nightgown like this wasn’t made for someone who’d flop into bed and fall asleep the second she hit the pillow. This was made to be cherished. Touched. It should be worn by someone being loved.Maybe it will be.
Putting the sack—and those hopeful thoughts—aside, Olivia continued to gather the things needed for her shower. Trevor and Derek had thought of everything.
A toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. Shampoo, conditioner, and a hairbrush. A razor and some shaving cream. They’d even gotten her deodorant and a jar of exquisitely-smelling body crème.
So many things that, less than a month ago, she’d completely taken for granted.Never again.
As she began setting everything out onto the small bathroom sink, Olivia realized she’d totally underestimated Jake and his team. They came off as these big, tough warriors. Soldiers ready for action. In reality, they were just a bunch of man-sized teddy bears with the hearts of saints.
She stripped off Jakes clothes. Then, unable to avoid it any longer, Olivia looked in a mirror for the first time since she’d been taken. She gasped, and her hand flew to cover her mouth to keep from crying out.
This wasn’t her. It couldn’t be.
Thisis what Jake had been looking at for three days? He’d actuallykissedher looking like this? Okay, she was wrong. Jake didn’t just have the heart of a saint...hewasone.
In addition to being filthy from head to toe, there was dried blood in her hair, as well as on her cheek and jaw. Her forehead and the right side of her face was bruised, and her upper arms were a plethora of blues and grays from where Cetro had grabbed her.
She chose to ignore the shadowed marks on her left breast. They’d been left by a dead man. He was gone, and she was safe, so there was no reason to give him—or any of the men who’d taken her— another second of her life. Which meant she had to get his blood that was still on her washed away.Now.
After quickly removing the bandages from her feet, Olivia stepped into the shower. Hissing at the stinging in her feet, she let the warm water rush over the many cuts and scrapes there.
