Page 20 of Lily

“Where are you going to take me?” she asked.

“My place for now. I need to get that collar off you and see to those welts.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze.

So, he’d seen the welts.

“And then what?” She couldn’t picture her future. What the hell was she supposed to do? Go to the police?

“And then we’ll get some sleep. When was the last time you slept, Rose?”

“Eight months ago.”

He glanced at her, his eyes filled with frustration, concern, and sorrow. “Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”

Chapter Nine

Roselia closed her eyes and tried to think about nothing but breathing and trying to calm her mind. It was racing in a million directions. Was she safer now? It was hard to imagine. Had her Master woken up to the noises they’d made downstairs? What would he do when he found her missing?

When the car stopped, Roselia lifted her gaze and then stiffened with surprise. “We’re at my apartment building?”

“Yes. I hate the thought of leaving you in this car for even a moment, but I want to run inside and grab some of your clothes and your purse. Will you be okay while I’m gone?” As he spoke, he pulled his sweatshirt over his head.

She stared at him. “Surely, the landlord threw away my stuff and got a new tenant by now. And I don’t have a key.”

“Lift your arms, sweetheart.”

When she realized his intention, she let go of the sheet, lifted her arms, and let him pull his giant hoodie over her head. It was warm and smelled like him. She was able to lift her hips and tug it under her butt, though she couldn’t do so without wincing.

His brow was furrowed. “I’ll take a look at those welts as soon as we get home.” He held her chin. “Rose, I’ve been paying your rent. I fixed the lock. I have the keys.”

She blinked. “You paid my rent?” Why?

“While you were gone, half the nights, I also stayed here, hoping you’d show up.”

Her heartbeat sounded loud in her ears. She couldn’t wrap her head around this fact. She hadn’t even been certain he would remember who she was, and all this time, he’d been waiting for her?

She wanted to thank him, but she was in shock and trembling.

“Will you be okay for ten minutes?”

She nodded.

“I’m going to leave the SUV running and the heat on. Lock the doors. Don’t open them for anyone.”

She nodded.

“I’ll be back as fast as possible, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead, opened the door, and jumped down. “Lock it, Rose.”

As soon as he shut the door, she reached over and locked the car. He didn’t move until she did so. She watched him run toward her building, but as soon as he disappeared inside, she panicked.

Looking around, horrible thoughts filled her head. Had they been followed? Would someone approach the car? What about a carjacker? Shaking like crazy, she slid down onto the floor under the glove compartment and curled into a tight ball, holding her knees to her chest. She was chattering even with the sweatshirt and the heat on. She didn’t think she’d ever be warm again in her life.

She started counting to distract herself. One, two, three, four… She focused on the numbers as she whispered them. It was impossible not to wonder about Marco, though. She was totally stunned by the fact that he’d paid her rent and rescued her. The man had a lot of talents. He’d picked the lock. He’d known how to cover the prongs in her shock collar. She’d always thought he was an accountant or something.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the window, and she nearly peed herself. She tipped her head back to see Marco at the door.

After scrambling up from the floorboard, she climbed back onto the seat and leaned over to unlock the car.

Marco tossed several bags behind the seat, got in, and shut the door. He grabbed her face. “I nearly died when I didn’t see you through the windshield.”

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