Page 9 of Awakening

If I close my eyes, I can see his face and feel his soft kiss against my lips. I can feel the strength of his arms around me. I can smell his wonderfully intoxicating, masculine scent. Then I open my eyes to my reality. He may never find me, or he might be too late. I hate to think this, but right now, my best hope is Colin.

The smell of food gets my attention before I hear the key unlocking the door as a wave of nausea hits me, and my stomach rumbles after going so long without food. I’m not concerned about my own hunger, but I’m worried sick about our baby. I have no idea what Ian has been giving me. I have to get out of here and back to a pack doctor before any irreversible damage is done.

I made a decision this morning. I’m going to convince Colin I’ve changed my mind. I don’t have a choice. The door opens and Ian walks in first, followed by Colin, who smiles at me as he holds up two large paper bags.

“Remember what I said.” Ian points his finger at Colin. “Don’t try to fucking play me.”

Colin nods. “Understood. Listen, you and I both want the same thing here.”

“You better fucking mean it. I’ll be back in a while.” Ian leaves, slamming the door and locking us inside.

“What was that all about?” I ask.

“He just gave me a little reminder that it would be unwise of me to pull anything underhanded.”

“He’s dangerous. You get that, right?”

He nods. “Yes, but I’m smarter.” Doubtful. He gives me a smile and holds up the bags. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving,” I say as my stomach makes it presence known.

“I brought food from Dish.”

“Dish, as in your aunt’s restaurant? Wait…we’re in Denver?”

“You didn’t know?”

Rolling my eyes, I say, “Of course I didn’t know. Ian certainly isn’t going to tell me.” I sigh and shake my head. It’ll be even harder for Ethan to find me here.

“My aunt was thrilled to hear I’m having dinner with you tonight, though she’s unaware of the circumstances, of course. She misses seeing you.”

What a prick. I mean, really? He tells his aunt we’re having dinner, but leaves out the fact that it’s while I’m being held in captivity. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself to hold it together. “She was always so nice to me.”

“She loves you, but then again, you’ve always been really easy to love, Liv,” he says, looking deep into my eyes. My stomach churns with angry bile. I don’t know if I can pull this off. I’ve got to make him think I’m serious about us getting back together, but looking into his eyes makes me want to vomit. “Anyway, I got you chicken parmesan because I remember you love it, and then I also got you some roasted broccoli, a salad, and bread. I knew you’d be really hungry, especially with the pregnancy and all now.”

At least I’ll be able to disguise my new werewolf appetite as pregnancy hunger, which will be even more noticeable after going without food for so long. “Thank you, Colin.”

He smiles, sitting next to me on the mattress as he pulls the containers out. “You’re welcome. I also got you a couple of apples, a few protein bars, and some bottled water, but if you agree to my terms and things go according to plan, you won’t be needing much more than that.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, taking a bite of the chicken parmesan.

“If you agree to be with me again, I can get you out of here as soon as tomorrow.”

I clear my throat as I swallow the tender chicken. “Tomorrow? How exactly do you expect to do that?”

“Ian’s guards aren’t as loyal to him as he thinks. Anyone can be bought for the right price, Liv. It also doesn’t hurt that they think he’s fucking nuts.”

“They aren’t wrong, but how do you know you can trust them?” My heart pounds as I think about the possible ramifications of Colin involving Ian’s guards. “How do you know they won’t run to Ian? Do you know you could have just completely fucked us, and made this whole thing worse?”

Colin shrugs. “My gut told me to go for it, Liv. If we don’t move now, I have no idea how long you’ll be stuck in here. He won’t give me a timeline. Who knows what’s really going on in that guy’s head.”

At least Colin is finally realizing Ian is crazy. “So they just agreed to help you?”

“Like I said, everyone has a price. I offered them three times what Ian is paying them to help me get you out tomorrow. That is, of course, if you’ve reconsidered my offer.”

The anger rises in my chest, but I have to shove it back down to play the part. I can’t believe he’s being such an asshole. He’s still only willing to help me if I go back to him. Yet, this is my chance. I have to take it. He’s my ticket out of this room.

“So, have you thought about my proposal? Any chance you’ve reconsidered?”

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