Page 48 of Controlled

Another flash.

Another rumble.

A storm.

There was a storm brewing outside. I turned my head slowly, the scent of something entirely too masculine catching my attention.

That’s when I realized I wasn’t alone, a presence close by. And it was all male, the fragrance a rich aftershave of sandalwood and citrus, spices and something even more woodsy.

I wanted to scream, to yell for help because I couldn’t remember anything.

But within seconds, a series of images rushed into my mind.

Creed Saint. Jonas. Oh, my God. My friend was dead and…

I’d gone to Creed’s office to confront him, finding he wasn’t alone. And I accused him of murder. Then… I’d run. Yes, I’d run away from him into the elevator. But he’d captured me just like he’d done before and… He’d held me against my will and…

I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from making a sound as additional images rushed into my mind, terror taking hold of my extremities.

He let me run from the elevator to the carousel of doors, and I was outside. Then I heard a noise. Then he yelled. Then…

Gunfire was coming from everywhere. I was tackled to the ground. By whom? Oh, my God. Creed had saved my life. I remember pain, my head hitting the cement, and his words.

“No. No. I’ve got you, my perfect dancer. I’ll keep you safe.”

Then nothing. Darkness. I must have blacked out.

Where did he take me? What had he done?

Another rumble of thunder broke the horrifying spell. I took several deep breaths, a slight wheezing coming from my chest. Then I heard movement. I was certain of it. Blinking again, I was finally able to make out someone sitting near me in a chair.

Another memory popped into my mind. A dream. Oh, dear God. I’d been dreaming of the man… fucking me. How could I do that? How could I want that? No way. It was just a dream though. Right? He didn’t touch me. He didn’t fuck me in the rain. There wasn’t a chance.

Yet when I slipped my hand under the covers once again, I realized I was completely naked. Oh, God. Oh, dear God. What had he done?

I shifted my head, freezing until I lifted my other hand to my hair. It was damp. Oh. My. God.

“What did you do to me?” I asked, my voice cracking.

Maybe my imagination was playing tricks on me because there was nothing but silence greeting me, the shadow not moving. Maybe I was seeing things, my imagination playing with me.

“Talk to me! I know you saved my life. Why bother?” My words sounded hollow, the emotion in my voice far too strained. I remembered what he’d said about Jonas, Creed’s self-righteous attitude that he didn’t need to bother killing my best friend because Jonas could never care about me that way. I wanted to lash out, to drive my fist into his face but what was the point?

In truth, I believed Creed when he said he had nothing to do with Jonas’ death. Maybe it was all about the blind date he’d gone on, some crazed killer on the loose.

A nervous laugh bubbled to the surface. I was exhausted and terrified, incapable of remaining coherent.

“Talk to me!”

My demand was met with another wave of silence, except for when he obviously moved, the chair he was sitting in creaking. “Where am I? I deserve to know that at least. Talk to me!”

Thirty seconds ticked by. A full minute. “Safe.”

The single word was enough to allow me to know my savior had been Creed and that the bastard of a man was watching over me. I wasn’t certain whether to feel honored, grateful.

Or terrified.

“There is nowhere safe as long as I’m around you. Let me go.”

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