Page 110 of Rescue Us (Next Generation 7)

Just when I was about to tell her to be quiet, she gagged. The sound was followed by whimpers and other noises that I didn’t want to know the cause of.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried ignoring the sounds, but I couldn’t. The more I tried, it was like the louder they became. Her sobs were muffled. The sound of a moan filling the room, forced a deep chuckle from somewhere nearby. The sobs hardened, her body clearly betraying her.

Taking a deep breath, I willed my brain to let me fall into it. To disappear and find a safe place within. But when a hand grabbed my hair and pulled me upright, I knew. I no longer had a safe place. Not now. Not tomorrow. Maybe not ever.

Light burned into my eyes, making them water. I was vaguely aware of the deep voices coming from somewhere in the room I was in. Wherever that may be.

Blinking a couple of times, my vision finally cleared. I looked around me, realizing that I was in a large white room. It was so damn bright, even the sight of it, hurt my eyes.

“Cyrus,” I whispered, trying to wrack my brain over what had happened tonight.

“Call him,” a deep voice said. “Tell him she’s awake.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I blew out a slow breath, the sudden anxiety rushing through me, making my head pound.

“Ainsley.”

A whimper left me at the familiar voice.

“Pet.” Lips pressed against the spot by my ear. “Fuck, baby. Open those beautiful eyes for me.”

I did as I was told, Cyrus’s handsome face coming into my line of sight.

“That’s my girl.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pushing his face into the crook of my neck. “I thought I’d lost you,” he murmured, his voice cracking.

“Take me home,” I told him, needing out of here. I felt exposed. I didn’t handle change well. The last time I was at a hospital, they ran test after test. I felt like a damn lab rat. “Please, Cyrus, take me home.”

“I can’t, baby.” He cupped my cheek. “Not yet.”

“I can’t be here.” I realized then that we weren’t alone when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, but I couldn’t take my gaze off of Cyrus. My love. The only person who had ever been patient with me. Who took his time to be my friend first and lover second.

“You just came out of surgery, pet,” he said gently. “But I promise, as soon as the doctor says it’s okay, I’m taking you home and putting you in my bed.” He didn’t mean it to sound sexual, but it still sent a shiver down my spine.

“What happened?” I asked as Sammy came toward the bed, I was lying in.

Cyrus pulled up a chair, keeping my hand in his and kissing my knuckles. “What do you remember?”

“I remember leaving my apartment. We were walking to your SUV and then that guy shoved into me.” I tried thinking back to him and what he looked like, but came up short.

“I called Rowan and he was able to hack into the security footage even though he was complaining the whole time how it needed to be updated. Apparently, even though it’s top of the line, it could still be better. His words.” Sammy scowled. “He didn’t see much but is still looking and will call back once he finds something.”

I looked between the brothers. “I knew the guy.”

“You did?” Cyrus asked. “His face was covered.”

“I know.” I shook my head. “It doesn’t make sense but it’s a feeling. He was the guy who followed me to the deli that day. He’s probably the same person who knocked on my door just to scare the shit out of me too. I don’t know how I know but my gut is telling me it’s the same person.”

“Did you ever see his face?” Sammy asked, sitting on the other side of me.

“No.” I sighed. “I know it sounds crazy but there was something familiar about the guy tonight. I can’t explain it.”

“I’m going to call Rowan again,” Sammy muttered.

“You save his number in your phone?” Cyrus asked him.

“Yes, he’s going to love the fuck out of that.” He chuckled but the humor was never there. He went up to the door turning back to us. “Listen, I’m sorry for how I treated you,” he told me. “I’m an asshole but you didn’t deserve that shit. So, I apologize for it.” Instead of waiting for me to respond, Sammy left the room, leaving me alone with Cyrus.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” I said, more to myself.

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