Page 51 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“Jonas feared me, but I wasn’t the sheriff’s immediate threat. You were. And together, our deaths would have wiped out all of their problems. He wouldn’t have come without his life being threatened. He knew what he was coming up against. I bet he was terrified, knowing he was on a suicide mission. Face it. This is worse than you want to admit and you have to accept that what I do, I do for you.”

“Will there be more?”

I took in her fear. She was trying to be strong, but she couldn’t stop the shaking of her hands as she clutched them.

“I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure. The sheriff seemed to be content with Rory’s position over you. Of course, you didn’t leave with your brother so there’s no telling what his plans are now. I don’t think we have to worry about anyone breaking back in, though. Not with Palo and the men here.”

Kit seemed to relax a little, but I could see how traumatized she was over the situation. She had been through and seen so much since she’d come to this town and it was taking its toll. From me holding her against her will, to losing her virginity, to an intruder coming in and being murdered, seeing her brother in a new light, me ordering a new murder, then me keeping her against her will again. I let that sink in while I took her age and innocence into account.

“I’m going to help you stand and take off your pants. Then I will step outside and give you privacy. Don’t make me regret leaving you alone. If you think of doing anything, your privacy will be revoked for the remainder of your stay.”

I lifted her, placing her to stand. As my hand settled over the button on her jeans, Kit stiffened, but held still.

“I want to kiss you.” My finger dipped inside of her jeans and I stroked the width of her stomach, sliding my finger back and forth. “Perhaps next time you’ll give me what I want.”

“I will not,” she said, reaching back to place her hands on the counter. Her breaths were coming out deeper and the sounds pulled me closer.

“We’ll see.” I popped the button open, pushing along the zipper, getting lower as it gave way and inched down. As my fingers brushed just above her slit, Kit arched, taking me further away from the one place I wanted to touch.

“I have to go to the restroom.”

The coldness in her tone conflicted with the response of her body. Slowly, I knelt, pulling her pants down while she managed to step out of them. For seconds, I held steady with what I wanted. With my biggest temptation of all. Her pussy was right there and I longed to bury my face back in it. She had tasted so fucking good, coming in my mouth. I could rip off that blue shirt and have her in the shower in seconds. I could feast on her right there and she’d be begging me again. I could…

I gripped to the jeans clutched in my hand. I didn’t place them on the floor or give them back. I stood, keeping them tightly in my grasp as I forced myself to shut her out. Fuck, what was I doing? I knew…I was making things worse on myself. I was headed down a dark road that went against everything I had formerly believed in. The war within myself was real, and I had a feeling it would be bigger than any battle the outside world held for me.

Chapter 17

Kit

Secrets came in many forms. I considered some bone deep, while others were nothing but hidden truths buried amongst the surface. Although I exposed my past to Chase where Rory was concerned, I considered it a surface secret. The severity of the consequences were minor, therefore, it was okay. The outcome being exposed wouldn’t bring death or harm my way. Only inconvenience. That, I could live with.

My secret concerning my stepfather had resided in my blood. It was something I’d never willingly tell anyone. It held no repercussions other than my own shame, and it wouldn’t bring me down or put me in danger.

In other words, it wasn’t to the bone.

Some secrets could never be told. Not even by the threat of death. Luckily, the one I held wasn’t suspected. I wasn’t ready to be tortured for my information. Not that I thought it would come down to that. Then again, how well did I really know Chase? He saw me as weak and young, which worked to my advantage. And I was weak to an extent, but some things you couldn’t cower from. Sometimes responsibility came before bravery. Maybe that’s why I understood him so well, even if I had to act like I didn’t.

The sound of the basement door had me lifting my head. I didn’t bother keeping it raised. I closed my eyes, pretending to have fallen back asleep. It was a routine I’d quickly adapted to in the last nine days. I still wasn’t talking to him other than responses, nor would I. All he’d get was the acts he forced upon me. The ones that wanted to come natural.

“It’s time to eat.”

The smell of bacon drifted through and I squeezed my lids tighter.

“Are we really going to do this again, Kit? Do I need to douse you in cold water again?”

My eyes opened and my lips drew together tightly. I didn’t want to be drenched through another meal if I could prevent it.

“Thank you, Father.”

He placed the tray at the bottom of the bed and reached over, releasing one of my hands from the cuffs. I quickly undid the other. My mouth was watering, but I didn’t feel as though I had an appetite. There were too many things on my mind. How much longer would I be here? I’d been so sure once the sheriff had been killed, he’d come to his senses and let me go. It didn’t take long to discover that wasn’t the truth. If the sheriff was indeed dead, I was still here. He’d made it clear from the beginning he wanted me trained. Given what I’d been ordered to do on a daily basis, it was only obvious he was succeeding.

I pulled the tray closer, waiting for his approval. If I didn’t, my breakfast would be taken away and I’d have to wait until the next meal.

“You may eat.”

“Thank you, Father.” Another rule.

I reached for the ice water. In three big drinks, I nearly emptied the glass. Quietly, I moved to the food while Chase paced just past the bottom of the bed. He was thinking again. He did that a lot lately. Although I was curious about what plagued him, I knew better than to ask. Not because it was against the rules, which it was, but because being inquisitive would only condemn me if I ever became questionable.

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