Page 120 of Depths of Destruction

---

Why didn't you have your backpack in the front seat with you?

Every second I sit in the moving prison cell we're in, guilt grows with my fury.

There's a big bump, and my body lifts off the floor, then slams down.

Naomi stirs with a gasp.

"Shh. It's okay, baby."

"Where are we?" she whispers.

"I'm not sure, but Interpol will be coming."

Her body stiffens. "What? You're turning me in?"

I hold her tighter. "No. But we need to get out of here, and it's safer than this situation. After we get rescued, I'll figure out what's next."

"Andre..." She trembles.

I stroke her hair. "Yeah?"

"It hurts."

"Where?"

"I...my..." She sniffles, and my chest becomes wet.

"Take your time, baby. Breathe with me."

We take several deep inhales together.

She lifts her face. Her hand reaches for my cheek. "My entire body. It feels... I still feel..." She puts her forehead against my lips.

I palm the back of her head and murmur, "What did they do?"

"Tree...men...blood," she weakly replies so faintly, I almost don't hear it.

Never before in my life have I ever felt so helpless. I don't know how to help her. The lack of knowing what they did to her gnaws at me. And I need to find a way to help her come back.

"Death and then again," she croaks out.

What she says confuses me. She's still in shock, but I need to prepare her for what is about to happen. I kiss her forehead. "Baby, I need you to understand what I'm going to tell you."

"What?"

"When Interpol comes, go with whomever I tell you to."

She digs her nails into my shoulders and her chest heaves. "Don't leave me."

"I'm not. But when they come, you need to go when I say and not question it."

"I'll go with you."

"No, baby. You'll need to go with whom I say. I'll be behind you. Promise me."

"But—"

"No. Promise me," I sternly say, and she jumps. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

---