Page 52 of Captured

And maybe even crazier was the fact I found him terribly attractive.

“You will learn one day that I am the only man who can make you happy and keep you safe. And in turn for your utter devotion, together nothing can stop us. Rest easy, my beautiful girl, my sweet angel. You are everything my blackened soul had needed. Soon, you will be able to say the same. Il mio angelo è perfetto, tutto ciò di cui ho bisogno. Presto sarò la tua dannazione.”

It would seem the man had learned everything about me and my life, my past, likes and dislikes, but perhaps he hadn’t discovered a teacher had taught me how to speak Italian. His words? My angel is perfect, everything I need. Soon, I will be your damnation.

He leaned over, pressing his lips against mine. It was at that very moment that the treachery of my body continued, as at least two tears trickled down my face.

When he leaned back, he sucked in his breath before issuing a slight growl. The moment he lifted his arm again, I was certain he was going to strike me. But he slipped his index finger through the salty tears, gathering them onto his finger, sliding the long digit into his mouth.

With that, he stood, now stiffer than before, walking out the door.

Only then did I allow the tears to fall freely.

Chirping.

I shifted, burying my face in the softness. A tickling sensation continued to pull me from the strange dream I’d had, keeping me from learning the end of it. I tried to open my eyes, instantly blinded by the bright light. What was I seeing?

Another slight chirp sounded over my shoulder, and I rolled over onto my back, blinking several times to try to focus. After stretching my arms and legs, yawning from the sleepiness I still felt, I sensed something was off. My room had been painted a completely different color.

Then I remembered where I was, jerking up and immediately grabbing the covers, holding them close to my chest. I was panting, my pulse racing. But in those few seconds of forcing more consciousness into my rattled brain, I pulled my hand into the air. I was no longer shackled to the bed.

Gasping, I turned my head, noticing the handcuff was gone, also no longer attached to one of the thick posts. He’d removed it sometime in the middle of the night. Why?

I took several shallow breaths, smiling when I noticed not only were the blinds open allowing in the beautiful sunlight, but the window was cracked open. I’d felt a real breeze only seconds before. I noticed a sparrow flying by the window then another. As I took a deep breath, I was rewarded with several amazing scents. Flowers?

Other than roses, it had been so long since I’d gathered a fragrance of flowers. My father had forced the removal of every flower and flowering shrub, replacing them with ugly evergreens.

I glanced toward the door, half expecting my captor to be standing in the doorway or sitting in the chair in the corner. He wasn’t. I was all alone, but I did notice a tray of some kind of the dresser. What?

Very carefully, I tossed back the sheets, feeling rested but shaky as I planted my feet on the floor. When I rose to a standing position, I also noticed a robe. A beautiful pink silk robe positioned just so on the end of the bed. I grabbed it immediately, wanting to cover myself with anything. Anything. I struggled into it as if half expecting the door would be flung open at any second.

It wasn’t.

The shock of awakening this way was more confusing than the night before. Had he forgiven that I’d run away and slapped and kicked him? Why was I giggling? I walked to the window, taking a deep breath as I peered out at the landscape. There were trees everywhere but not the normal variety like we had in Boston—oak and hickory trees. There were dozens, maybe hundreds of palm trees. And were those bananas? Coconuts?

Oh, my God. And did I just see an avocado tree? Was the man kidding me? Did he own something in Hawaii? No way.

But the scent of so many kinds of flowers mixing with the rich fragrance of the ocean that I’d already known existed was a dead giveaway. If it wasn’t Hawaii, it was somewhere more tropical than the Caribbean. I tried to remember where avocadoes were grown and the only thing that came to mind were the Hawaiian Islands.

The various tropical plants crowded against the backdrop of the palm trees were bursting with vibrant color. I hadn’t paid any attention to where I was running the night before. Either that or he’d moved me in the middle of the night.

Another strange fragrance caught my attention. Coffee.

I turned my head, better able to see the tray. There was a steaming pot of coffee and a glass of juice, alongside a bowl of fresh fruits. I walked closer, stunned by the feast before me. There was even fresh cream in a small pitcher. Everything perfectly laid out, a feast meant for a queen. Sadly, I was already tarnished but I was also starving, the scent of the coffee perhaps the best thing of all.

After pouring a cup, I pulled it to my nose, drinking in the essence. I did so love a strong cup of coffee. The hint of cinnamon and macadamia nut sealed the understanding I was in paradise.

Or I’d lost my mind completely.

I poured some cream, noticing a note positioned on the side of the tray. There was no reason to be nervous picking it up, but I was, my fingers even shaking at the thought of seeing what he had to say. For some insane reason I glanced back at the door, but all was quiet. I picked it up, taking my coffee and returning to the open window. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to dig my toes into a sandy beach, pretending my life hadn’t drifted head over heels into a nightmare.

The note was simple, not the earth-shattering volumes of words I’d expected after his odd behavior the night before.

Sweet Emily

You’ll find clothes in the closet and dresser, toiletry items and makeup in the bathroom. Take a shower and relax, enjoy your breakfast. I have business to attend to. Then I will show you my island.

T

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