Page 69 of Something that Could Last

I’m surprised to see Jacob sitting on my bed with his back against the headboard and his legs crossed at the ankles. I can’t believe my grandmother is allowing this. She must realize how damaged I am and how much I need his comfort.

“Hey,” he greets me and sits up straighter in the bed. “Feel better?”

“Yeah,” I answer honestly. I actually do. I let the towel wrapped around my head fall and pull my damp hair into a bun.

“Come here,” Jacob beckons. I crawl into my bed and lay on top of the covers with him, and he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in close. I nuzzle him and throw my arm over his abdomen. “I’m all yours today. I’m not going anywhere. Anything you need, just let me know.”

“I need you to hold me.” And so, he does. He holds me tight until sleep overcomes me and I drift into darkness.

MY BREATH IScoming hard and fast. I’m sweating. I can’t move. He’s on top of me and has his hand over my mouth.

“If you scream, I’ll cut your fucking throat.” I can’t make out his face shrouded in darkness, but I know that voice.

I whimper as something cold pierces my skin and a trickle of warmth runs down my neck. His knife trails down my throat and to my chest, slicing the buttons off my shirt one by one. Sliding his blade underneath my bra, he severs the material in the center that holds the cups together. I sob as the cool air hits my fully exposed torso and he runs the blade down my stomach, circling my belly button with the sharp tip.

“Take off your shorts,” Caleb demands, releasing one of my hands from its restraint. He slides down my body and removes a manacle from my right ankle, and I realize my legs have been spread wide and shackled. I try to close them, but he quickly wedges his knee between my thighs. My wrists burn from the constant friction of my efforts to escape. The evil glint of excitement in his eyes sends a terrifying chill down my spine.

“Please,” I beg, tears running down the sides of my face, soaking the hair at my temples.

“Mmm, I like it when they beg.”

This is some kind of sick game to him. He wants me to comply, to do as he says out of fear. I sob, terror gripping my insides.Why is this happening to me?

“Abby,” he groans lustfully, his knife popping the button at the top of my shorts.

“Abby.” His voice is becoming more forceful, more desperate. He’ll have to kill me. I won’t make this easy for him. I buck against my restraints and my captor, boldly defying him.

He’s so mad at me for not doing what he says, he starts shaking me and screaming in my face.

“ABBY!”

I open my eyes and see Jacob’s worried face mere inches from mine. His hands are on my shoulders and we’re both panting. My clothes and brow are drenched with sweat.

“Oh, God,” I cry out. It was just a dream. A horrible nightmare.

Jacob enfolds me in his embrace. “You were crying and whimpering, begging for it to stop. You scared the hell out of me.”

“Caleb had me. I was strapped down and he was cutting my clothes off.” Another sob breaks loose and he tucks me in tighter. “He had me,” I repeat, my voice hoarse and strained. He holds me as big, violent sobs wrack my body and I let out all my fear and anger and sadness.

I don’t know how much time passes. A few minutes, an hour maybe, but I finally calm down and my eyes are dry. Jacob brushes the hair off my damp forehead.

“What time is it?”

“It’s almost two in the afternoon.”

I stretch my arms over my head and yawn. “I’ve slept the whole day away.”

I never sleep this late. I don’t have time to sleep this late.

“I think we can overlook it just this once,” he assures me with a smile. I hope he was able to get some rest, too. I doubt he slept at all last night.

“Okay.”

“You should probably call Tiff now that you’re up. She’s been blowing up your phone.”

I immediately grab my phone and call her. I’m sure she’s freaking out right now. Even though she’s at work, she picks up on the second ring.

“Abby! Oh my God, are you okay? They wouldn’t let us back to see you because we weren’t family, and then your grandma sent us home.” Her frantic greeting doesn’t surprise me.

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