Losing Jessica isn’t an option.
Because if I lose her, there will be nothing else worth living for.
“Iwillfind you.”
It’s a promise.
A promise I mean to keep, no matter what.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
JESSICA
A low groan escapes me as I slowly come to my senses. My whole body feels heavy, pain piercing through my skull as I blink my eyes open. I extend my hand so I can rub my throbbing temples to alleviate some of the pain, but it feels like my hands are glued to the surface beneath me.
What the hell?
My heartbeat kicks up as panic swells inside my chest. I force my eyes to open. Only, the bright light blinds me into submission once again. The pulsing pain is so strong that it makes dark spots appear in my vision.
Holy shit.
My breathing is ragged, my pulse beating wildly, the sound echoing in my head, which only makes it hurt more. My mouth feels desert dry, and it’s hard to swallow.
What is wrong with me?
I try to push through the pain and recall the last thing I remember, but everything is so hazy.
Did I drink that much?
That doesn’t seem right. Sure, Mae and I like to have a few drinks, but never in my life have I gotten blackout drunk.
Then what happened?
Sucking in a long breath, I turn my head, slower this time—much, much slower. I open my eyes, carefully taking in the unfamiliar space.
It’s a bedroom of some sort. In a cottage? My brows furrow. The stale, smelly air in the room doesn’t help one bit with my raging headache. The walls are wood paneled, and old-fashioned curtains hang on the window. The room is sparsely decorated, with a queen-sized bed that I’m currently lying on and a small dresser against the wall. There’s an empty chair next to the bed.
I try moving my hands again, to push myself upright, but that burn against my skin is unyielding. I look over my shoulder, trying to figure out why I can’t move, when I see a glimpse of silver on my wrists.
Duct tape.
There is duct tape on my wrists.
Holding them together.
Binding them behind my back.
Panic rises in my throat. I move my wrists, frantic to free them. I’m so focused on the task, I barely hear the soft rattle of the door.
“You’re awake.”
I look up, a long breath escaping me.
“Aiden, oh my God!” My eyes fall shut, the relief slamming into me at finding a familiar face. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. Can you please—” I try to move my hands to show him my wrists. “I need to get these off of me, and?—”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
His cold tone sends an icy chill down my spine. My body goes rigid, the thumping of my heart becoming louder as everythingfalls into place, the snapshots of earlier coming back to me in a blur.
