Page 40 of Sin Bin Bully

I shake my head, unable to voice the conflicting emotions warring inside me. The fear, the anger, and the undeniable attraction that makes me hate myself.

To my surprise, he doesn't push it. Instead, he reaches into his pocket, pulling out his phone and holding it out to me.

I stare at the phone in Sam's outstretched hand, my heart hammering against my ribs. I'm not sure what kind of game is playing, but hope is starting to take root in my chest. My eyes dart up to his, trying to understand what he is doing.

"Go on," Sam urges, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Call them. Check in."

My fingers tremble as I take the phone, punching in my grandmother's number from memory. Each ring feels like an eternity, my breath catching in my throat.

"Hello?" A familiar voice answers, and relief washes over me.

"Zander? It's Kim."

"Kim!" His voice cracks, and it only reminds me how young he is. "Where the hell have you been? We've been worried sick!"

I swallow hard, guilt twisting in my gut. It seems Avery didn't tell anyone I called, and I don't know what to make of that. "I'm sorry, I... it's complicated. How are you? Is everyone okay?"

There's a pause, and when Zander speaks again, his voice is low, urgent. "Kim, you gotta come home. There's... there's trouble."

My stomach drops. "What kind of trouble?"

"It's Nathan," he says, and I can hear the fear in his voice. "He's in deep shit, Kim. And..." His voice drops low, like he's not even supposed to know. "And they're coming for you too."

The world tilts on its axis. "What are you talking about?"

"There's a warrant out," Zander whispers. "For Nathan and for you. They're saying... they're saying you're both dealing drugs."

"No," I whisper, shock starting to spread through my limbs.

There's a shout on the other line, and Zander cusses. Something he used to not do. "I've got to go-" And then the line goes dead, making fear pound through me with the shock.

The phone slips from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor. My vision blurs, the room spinning around me. This can't be happening. It can't be real.

"Kim?" Sam's voice sounds far away. "Kim, what's wrong?"

I can't breathe. My chest is too tight, my lungs refusing to work. I gasp for air, but it's like trying to breathe underwater. Panic claws at my throat, threatening to drag me under.

"Hey, hey, look at me." Sam's hands are on my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. His gray eyes are intense, focused. "Breathe, little dancer. Just breathe."

I try to speak, but all that comes out is a choked sob. Tears spill down my cheeks, hot and uncontrollable. Sam pulls me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me like a shield.

"I've got you," he murmurs into my hair. "Whatever it is, we'll fix it. I promise."

I want to believe him. God, I want to believe him so badly. But how can he fix this? How can anyone fix this nightmare?

And since when have I turned to Sam, to the guy who has kidnapped me, drugged me, and choked me, for comfort? Since when have I placed my trust in him?

Maybe it's because I know what to expect with him. Or maybe it's because he's right…and I do like to not have to be in control all the time with him. I don't have to worry about anyone because he takes care of everything.

Fuck, what is wrong with me? I'm making up excuses for my captor when he's half the reason I'm in this mess.

But still, his hands on me feel incredible and I can't pull away.

"They think I'm... they think I'm dealing drugs," I manage to choke out between sobs. "There's a warrant... for me and Nathan."

Sam's body tenses against mine, but his voice remains steady. "We'll figure it out. I've got lawyers, connections. We'll clear your name."

I pull back, searching his face. "Why? Why would you help me?"

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