It’s amazing how much the human body can withstand in life-threatening situations. Adrenaline pushes our limits, giving us strength we never had.
Resting my back on the cold tiled wall, I raise my foot, tugging the tracksuit bottoms half up one leg, then repeating the operation on the other until I can finally drag the pants over my hips.
Whatever size this is, it’s bigger than I usually wear, but it’s warm, soft, and creates the illusion of safety. I pull the curtain aside and almost jump out of my skin when I spot Blaze in thedoorway, two wrinkles between his brows, anger simmering in his dark eyes.
“You don’t have to do that,” he says, lifting his gaze to the cameras. The diodes aren’t blinking anymore. “I switched them off. You have your privacy in here.”
As evidenced by you coming in without knocking...
“Now, I need to see your back, Hailey. It sounds like your ribs are broken.”
“I’m okay.”
I’m so exhausted and sleep-deprived there’s nothing I can do about the shaking. There’s also nothing I can do to fight him off if he decides to take a look without permission.
“You’re not okay,” he insists. “Can I help you out of there?”
I’m about to shake my head when I remember the pain.
“No, I’m fine,” I say.
I got in by myself, so I’ll get out by myself, too. At least that’s what I hope, but one thing I didn’t account for is that the wall behind the tub saved me from falling flat on my face while I was getting in. There’s no wall on the other side. Well, there is, but it’s too far away.
Still, I don’t ask for help, using the shower curtain to steady myself as I fling one leg over the edge. It takes everything I have not to wince. The moment my foot touches the cold floor, a wave of relief washes over me.
I can do this alone.
I lift the other leg, holding on to the curtain with both hands, and that’s when the rail snaps, leaving me falling, grasping at thin air, on course to add more injuries.
But instead of connecting with the floor, I stop against a hard chest. Blaze’s hands snap around my waist, saving my bones from breaking.
Well,those which aren’t already, because I’m pretty sure he’s right and at least one rib on either side is broken. Maybe more.
“Easy,” he says, steadying me slowly. “Rex!”
The bulky bodyguard appears in the doorway like a stealthy ninja. I’d expect his footsteps to thump across the bedroom floor, but I didn’t hear a single step.
“Boss?”
“Get me some pain pills.”
“No,” I protest quickly. “I’m okay.”
“You’re far from it. Painkillers will help.”
I shake my head, ignoring the stabbing down my spine. My imagination conjures all kinds of scenarios involving questionable pills. I can’t tell the difference between prescription and illegal drugs, and I don’t want to end up comatose, unaware of what’s happening around me.
Blaze narrows his eyes, clearly unappeased. “No one here needs to drug you to do as they please. You’ve seen that. Either you swallow the Tylenol, or I’ll force them down your throat. You can barely walk, Hailey. I want you to come for a ride with me as soon as possible. Right now, I don’t think you’d get to the end of the hallway. So? What will it be?”
“Fine,” I whisper, aware there’s no point arguing. “I’ll take the pills.”
He flicks his wrist at Rex who soundlessly marches away. “Now, let me help you to bed.”
Another protest dies on my lips. I can fight him all I want, but what will it accomplish? Nothing much.
Like he said, anyone who wants to can rape me here without drugs.
Blaze doesn’t have to act nice. He could manhandle me to suit his will. He could kick my legs from under me, undo his belt, and fuck my throat, but he’s being helpful.
