Chapter 24
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“Wake up, gorgeous.It’s time for dinner.”
Charlie could hear Caleb’s voice, but she didn’t want to open her eyes. She’d much rather stay in the peaceful oblivion the drugs had taken her to.
“I know you’re awake, Charlotte. It’s time to get up now.”
Damn. Charlie knew she couldn’t hide in the darkness forever. Plus, the sooner she got upstairs for their dinner, the better chance she may have of getting away from the crazy asshole.
Slowly, she opened her groggy eyes. The headache and nausea were back but not as bad as before. From the light coming in through the tiny window, she guessed it was early evening.
Must not have given me as much this time.
“There you are.” He smiled down at her, his fingers gently brushing her hair from her eyes. “I hope you’re hungry. I made a feast.”
She wondered where the hell he’d learned to cook because the fucker had never lifted a finger in the kitchen before.
Charlie chose to remain silent, forcing herself to hold back the run of curses and screams she wanted to blast him with. As much as she hated it, she needed to play nice in order to bide her time until she could figure out her next move.
Caleb held out his hand, and she begrudgingly took it. With a surprisingly gentle tug, he helped her off the bed and onto her feet.
Keeping her hand in his, Caleb led her through the room and up the stairs, into the main part of the house.
Once there, Charlie looked around, surprised at how large the house actually was. It was a farmhouse with lots of windows throughout.
Plenty of places to break out of.
Caleb continued holding her hand until they reached the dining room to their left. In the center was a beautiful, cherry-finished table set with floral-patterned china and several large dishes and serving bowls filled with steaming food.
She smiled sadly, the scene reminding her of the meal Derek had prepared for her that very morning.
Moisture welled in her eyes, but Charlie forced it away. Crying wasn’t going to help her escape.
But that might.
Her gaze landed on the large glass vase positioned in the center of the table. It was filled with an array of beautiful, red roses. They were just like the ones Caleb used to bring home for her. A peace offering after he’d beaten her.
I hate roses.
He pulled out one of the chairs for her. “Have a seat.”
Charlie noticed the gun tucked in the front of his waistband as he helped her scoot the chair closer to the table. As expected, he sat down in the chair to her right. The head of the table.
Like when they were still together, she passed him the food so he could fill his plate first. Only then was she allowed to get some for herself.
After everything she’d been through, she was far from hungry. Naturally, Caleb wouldn’t let her be.
“Eat up.”
He said it with a smile, but his eyes held a familiar warning. She’d better do as she was told, or else he’d give her one of his reminders.
Filling her fork with some mashed potatoes, Charlie forced the bite down. It took great effort on her part not to show how insane she thought he was.
The man was going through the motions, eating and taking sips of his coffee as if this were any other dinner. Over the next several minutes, he continued to act as though they were a normal couple sharing a normal meal.
The man was certifiable. She was never going to be able to convince him that what he was doing was wrong. Her only way out would be to fight.
