Absolute silence descends on the room, broken only by the sound of steps. Sure and even.
Approaching.
Coming to me.
I plaster my back and palms to the wall, steadying myself because my legs are ready to give out.
What is going on? Who is here? What do they want?
The scent of the ocean surrounds me.
Clean. Comforting. Calming.
I sag in relief.
It’shim.
He’s standing right in front of me. I know it, even though he hasn’t said a word. Hasn’t touched me. But I can feel him. Feel his warmth.
Tentatively, I reach out my hand. My fingers graze fine, smooth fabric. A pant leg. Over a muscular thigh.
“Please. Please get me out of here,” I whisper.
Two strong arms wrap around me, one sliding under my knees and the other around my back. He lifts me as if I don’t weigh anything at all.
As if they have a mind of their own, my arms wrap around his neck. My face finds protection at the soft juncture near his collar. I feel his rapid pulse against my cheek. Sense thetightness of his jaw as he holds me. Exhale as his arms tighten around me.
Cradling me close to his body, my silent guest turns and carries me out of the room. The steady drum of his footsteps on the hardwood floor gives way to muffled taps against the carpet.
Subtle brine. Faint trace of citrus. I lose myself in his soothing scent.
The adrenaline that sustained me is dropping. Leaving nothing but profound fatigue and shakiness behind. That only makes me snuggle up to this man even closer. A man I don’t know, but do.
A man I trust, having never seen his face. Having only heard a whisper from him.
He’s obviously a robust man. I can tell by his gait and his prowess. I can feel his strength in how he’s holding me, in the solidness of his chest, in the vigor of his arms. Arms that are so firm but gentle around me.
I should be freaking out.
What nearly happened… I should be panicked, but I’m not.
I knowthisman. Silent. Thoughtful. Respectful.
I’ve been locked in a room with him dozens of times in the past months. Never, not once, has he tried to hurt me. Without saying anything, he kept his word.
Even though he had countless opportunities to break it.
And no one would have ever known.
Or stopped him if they had.
This man is someone very powerful. Very important. It was clear as day from the way Maggie spoke about and to him. Helikely could have done anything, whatever he wanted to do to me. Without repercussions.
The assurances that the hostess girls are safe behind the doors of the Annex are worthless. I experienced that delusion tonight. And yet,this mandid not break my trust. A rare quality these days.
A muffled thump, and a gust of fresh air fills my lungs.
We’re outside.
