Page 6 of Shrouded Past

“It’s nice to meet you, Piper Alexander.” He pointed to her face and then her shirt. “But I’m taking you to the hospital. Those cuts look serious.”

“No! Don’t. Please.” If she went to the hospital there’d be questions.He’dtold her they’d find her—the bad men. She mustn’t ever leave him. Protector said there were people everywhere looking to harm her.

She was prone to believe him since she’d been kidnapped again.

Going for medical help meant the possibility of someone on staff reaching out to one of them.

“Why not?” The man looked at her as if she’d lost her common sense.

“I’m fine. I just want to . . .” What? Go home? The only home she knew was the basement where she’d been held. Before waking up there, all she had was a blank slate. She didn’t remember anything about who she was before Protector’s face appeared above her.

“You’re not fine.”

“Please, we have to go somewhere safe—before he finds us.” Piper believed Skeleton Man was watching and waiting for the opportunity to strike again. To attack Bryce and force her to go with him.

“Then we’ll go to the cops.”

For some reason that seemed even more frightening than the hospital. “Not yet. I . . . I need some time first.”

Getting away while they still could was critical.

Skeleton Man told her they wanted her home. It didn’t matter what he had to do to get her there he’d do it.

Piper couldn’t stop shaking. “Alright.” Bryce gave in when he noticed. He faced forward. “But someone will report the vehicle sooner or later. The police will come asking questions.”

Unless the kidnapper took care of it before that happened.

“I’m pretty sure it’s stolen anyway.”

Bryce’s troubled gaze slipped over her face. “I’m going to take a photo of the license plate to be safe. I’ll be right back.”

When she didn’t answer he got out of the truck.

Piper recalled the moments before Skeleton Man had taken her. She’d been so surprised when she’d found the basement door unlocked. Protector never left it unsecured. Slipping from her prison, fear had followed her every step of the way. Piper had eased through the house and slipped out the garage door with her heart in her throat, so certain Protector would come after her. Not knowing another, far more harmful danger lurked nearby.

There was nothing to give away where she’d been held for so long. Piper had no idea in what state she’d even been held prisoner, or where she was now.

She didn’t even know where home was, where she’d grown up.

Had Protector taken her from close by or another part of the country? Perhaps even somewhere overseas?

She’d run from the house and into the dark night, heading for the woods she’d seen glimpses of from her small rectangular window high on the basement walls. When she’d reached the road, Piper started walking. And then Skeleton Man had found her.

The panic she felt when she’d awakened was indescribable. She couldn’t go back to that prison—she’d sooner die. Only it wasn’t Protector who had her. If it weren’t for the grotesque mask, her kidnapper would have appeared almost innocent at first. He smiled through the mask and told her to behave and everything would be fine.

Piper peered through the side window at angry waves crashing along the shoreline. She was near the ocean. Somewhere.

A sudden feeling of being watched closed in. She leaned forward and searched the strip of light provided by the vehicle’s headlamps. Nothing but the dripping rain.

They’ll find you.The terrifying words Protector uttered seemed to be proven true. She’d barely left his prison when her new kidnapper had taken her.

And if that were the case, how did she know she could trust Bryce . . . ?

“Got it.” The driver’s door opened, and Bryce climbed in.

Piper bit back a scream. She could feel the color draining from her face. The urge to jump out and run grew. She reached for the door handle. Did she dare trust him?

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He removed his cowboy hat. Seemingly caring eyes skimmed over her face.

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