A'S

dering what the next step is goi

air, itching to knock, to see her, to ma

ol under my hand. No answer. My gut twisted, fear

rough as I pressed my head to th

ulse racing, picturing

e's gone, so it's

re she was, eyes red, hair messy, her shirt slipp

e, but her fire flickered in her gaze, lik

her smell-sweat, fear-hitting me, making my head

another's, a betrayal I carried, a face I couldn't save. I wanted t

ke, tears falling, her body dropping to

raw, lost. "How do I get free? He's everywhere, L

embling, her fear cutting me deep, her s

ll help you get out, keep you safe." My voice was soft, a promise, my hand near her shoulder, wanting to comfort, but holding back. He

could see every tear. "Why help me? You are his fr

wiped her face, tears smearing, and I saw the bruise on her cheek, Ross's mark, st

ayed, the one I let down when I was too slow, too weak. I couldn't show that

t nowhere to go, a total mess. I

n't cause, a past I couldn't escape. My fingers brushed her arm, just a touch, her

l but strong, like she was fighting to stand up. "So I'm just someone you feel sorry for? Right now, you're my only choice, b

hance to do something right. Not a hero, but I'm not him. We'll get you free." My voice was

ayed quiet, watching me, and my body wanted to m

? Just pity? Nothing else?" Her voice was steadier, pushing me, her hand brushing mine, a quick

not letting that jerk win." My voice was rough, honest, the lie hiding a truth I couldn't say, my hand resting near

************

a's

Now, in Luca's big house, I felt better, stronger, l

steadier in jeans and a loose shirt. I wasn't the scared girl who r

ncy house with shiny floors and big windows, made me antsy. What was his plan?

ck but not from fear, from fire. Luca's office door was open a bit, sunlight coming o

tight shirt showing a bit of his snake tattoo. He hung up, lea

playful, his eyes looking me over, mak

t's the plan, Luca? You said you'd help me get out, but it'

yet, that's all. It takes time to make a plan like this, to stay ahead of him." His

anymore. I can't keep hiding, waiting for Ross to catch me. Tell me the plan, now." My wor

on't you?" He moved closer, his warmth near, his voice soft, smooth. "You sure you can handle it, sweetheart? It takes more than a cute face

ly, stepping back, my hands nervous. His flirting confused me, like a trick I didn't understand, stirri

it pity or remorse. I tried to get my hand free w

e blurted, pointing to the living

hind him. The TV was on, and there he was, Ross, on every news channel, hi

I won't rest until I find her. I love her so dearly, so much that I stayed with her despite her m

jaw tightened, a quiet prom

through, a wail, sharp and close, coming from outside. Poli

d-his TV lies, his hunt. Luca's eyes went to the window,