r as she saw him kiss Chloe over and over. She sat bolt upright in the hospital bed, her body drenched in a cold sweat. The pain in her head was

was a new message at the top of a group chat she' d been added to months ago, a c

ent down? Priceless. Hope Jake gi

She quickly took a screenshot, her heart hammering against her ribs. Seconds later, a ne

e came in, smiling brightly. "Good mor

aid, forcing her voice t

ng her IV. "Mr. Peterson has been so worried. He'

eath, composing her features into a mask of vulnerability.

e answered, h

are you feeling?" His voice was thick wi

," she lied. "The doctor sa

gentle chiding. "You have to be more careful. I was terrified when I saw you on the flo

red, the words like ash in her

pping with false sincerity. "I' l

doctors-they were all his. She was a prisoner. She quickly changed out of the hospital gown and into the clothes s

found a service elevator and rode it down to the ground floor, exiting into a loading

r mouth while the other grabbed her arms, forcing them behind her back. They were strong, professional. She struggled, kicking and thrashing, but it was useless. They bundled he

something else. Something far more dangerous. The van peeled away from the curb, driving fast. She h

ding. The air was cold and damp, smelling of dust and decay. It sounded like an abandoned war

bulb hanging from the ceiling. The two men stood over

w growl. "He doesn' t like it when his things try to run away." He knelt and held the c

This was how it ended. She close

rst open with a loud bang. "Get

, his face a mask of pure fury. The two men imme

ing what you told us,"

alking toward them. He moved with a speed and violence she' d never seen before

concern. He quickly cut the zip-tie from her wrists and gently h

ut as his fingers brushed her skin, a wave of revulsion so powerful it was nau

mething else... something that looked almost like guilt. For a split second, she saw a crack in his

ured, pulling her into an embrace she could no longer bear. "I' ve got you. You' re safe now." Sa