Page 34 of Filthy and Dirty with my Captors

What the hell is going on here? A week ago, I was an author trying to find a plot for my novel. This week, I’m living one.

Rosie bends down to the sheriff, and pushes his finger on the verification button, confirming the payout for services, which deposits the payment into her bank account. “Now that we’ve got that settled, I should let you know that I’ve sent this information to the police. Not the local police, because apparently, we can’t trust them. I’ve sent the info to the state police. There are people on their way to your house right now. If April is alive, they’ll find her, and your games are over.”

“You know, I’ve gotta say, my dick is hard. I like a strong woman.” The sheriff lifts his hips up and down as though he’s thrusting into her, and something inside me snaps. It must be the same thing that snaps in the rest of the guys because I’ve barely moved Rosie away from him when Moose andOwen begin driving punch after punch into the man’s face and stomach.

Rosie stares up at me. “I thought I’d be wrong about April. Jen had been doing research, but I didn’t expect this.” Tears stream down her face as though her emotions have broken through the wall she’s built. “Do you really think she’s alive?”

I shake my head as I grab the sweetest girl I’ve ever known, cuddling her into my chest as police sirens whir in the distance. “I’m not sure, sweetheart, but whatever happens, you’re safe now. I promise.”

Chapter Fourteen

Rosie

I jolt awake, my chest heaving like I’ve just run a marathon. The room is dark but somehow it still feels too bright, like there are eyes everywhere watching me. My skin is damp with sweat, and the sheets are tangled around my legs as though I’ve been fighting with them for hours.

The room is silent. I’m alone.Why am I alone?

“Owen!” I scream out as loud as I can, desperate for the warmth of his touch.

My throat is dry, my breath is shallow, and flashes of the sheriff’s face and a girl I’ve never seen before flicker into my vision as though I’m still trapped in the horrible nightmare I was just having.

The door swings open and Owen comes running inside. “Birdie, you okay?”

I reach out for him, my heart calming when he sits beside me and pulls me to his chest. “I had a nightmare about the girl… the one that was taken. I… did they find her?” I’m not sure what happened last night after Hawk brought me inside. I didn’t mean to pass out. I wanted to know what happened with the state police and the girl, but my body decided I needed to sleep more.

“They did. She’s with her mom.” Owen strokes the back of my hair as he says softly, “You’re okay. Deep breaths.”

“Is she hurt? I mean, she has to be hurt. She was stuck with that guy for a year!”

“I’m not sure. I only know they found her and took her home. I can call and find out if you want.”

“Yeah, that would be good.” I land my hand across my chest, trying to steady the wild thrum of my heart, but it’s no use. I can’t get the horrid images of my dream out of my head.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Owen kneads his strong fingers into the back of my shoulders, as though he’s trying to loosen a knot.

A tear rolls down my cheek. “I had this nightmare that I was there with her, but she couldn’t see me. I saw her, though. The orange hair, the bruises, her…” I drag in a few deep breaths. “She was so sad, Owen. That could’ve been me. I could’ve been locked away with her. I’m so stupid. Why did I ever think this was a good idea?”

He pulls me against his chest and brushes his hand down over my shoulders. “It’s okay. You’re safe. You’ve got three men here to protect you, always.”

“And April doesn’t have anyone, right?” I’m trying not to hyperventilate, but it’s a pretty useless feat.

“I’m not sure, but she’ll be okay. There’re loads of people that—”

“I want to see her.”

His brows narrow, and he twists toward me slightly. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You don’t know what kind of shape she’s in. She could be really messed up right now, and you’ve just been through hell yourself. You should—”

“I need to see her, Owen. I don’t deserve the money fromFantasy Driver.I want to give her my earnings.”

I stare into his eyes, desperate for answers to all the questions that I’ll ever have. Funny thing is, I see them. They’reright there, simple and true, like a path I was meant to follow all along.

“If that’s what you want to do, I’ll take you there.” He kisses my head gently. “The state police left a number for me to call. I’ll see if they’ll give me her address.”

“Really? You’re not gonna fight me?”

He shakes his head back and forth slowly, his gaze locked with mine. “No. Why would I fight you? This is what makes you…you. This is what I love about you, Birdie. You’re wild and free. Unpredictable in the sweetest of ways. If you want to give April your money fromFantasy Driver,I think you should.”

Rain falls heavy on the tin roof as Owen and I sit on the edge of the bed in each other’s arms. I have no idea what time it is, but I guess by the smell of coffee and bacon wafting from the other room that it’s still morning.

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