Rake (Wolfes of Manhattan 4)

His tone. It wasn’t anger so much as…frustration.

I wasn’t being fair to him at all.

Still…for some reason—even though he looked so much like the man who’d tormented me—I felt safe with him.

Safer than I had in a long time.

I liked the feeling, and I needed it.

“I need to feel safe,” I admitted. “And I feel safe in here. With you.”

He sighed. “Fine. We’ll share the bed.” Then he mumbled something else under his breath.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” I said.

“Nothing.” He curled his hands into fists.

He was so handsome, with his unruly hair, his shirt halfway unbuttoned, and—

My eyes widened.

His black trousers were bulging.

Chills erupted over me. I wasn’t sure why I was surprised. He’d said he found me attractive. Still…

Before I could change my mind, I walked swiftly toward the bed and pulled down the comforter. Then I turned to Reid. “Which side do you sleep on?”

“That one,” he replied.

“Okay.” I walked to the other side. Beneath my robe I wore white pajama pants and an old Iron Maiden T-shirt. Nothing sexy that would entice him. I removed the robe and slid under the covers.

“For crying out loud,” Reid muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

I closed my eyes. The softness of the mattress and pillows made me feel like I was nestling into a cloud.

The sounds of Reid getting ready for bed gave me comfort as I lay there, waiting for sleep to come. Then the movement of the bed as he lay down, and the change under my eyelids when he turned off the lights.

No reason to fear the dark.

Reid was next to me.

Reid would protect me.

I fell into slumber.

“They’re ready for you.”

Strong arms yanked me out of my bed.

How long had I been here? In this room?

They’re ready for you. The words played in my mind.

It was time. I’d be beaten up. Or raped. Then killed. Today would be the end of my life. I’d thought about it these several days I was here, being held captive but fed oddly well. Funny. I’d become numb to the concept.

Until now.

Now, I had to face it.

This would be my last day on earth.

There was no escape.

The person grabbing me was masked.

“Who are you?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said.

“Where are you taking me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

He led me through what seemed to be a maze of hallways. From the corner of my eye, I spied cages. Women in cages. “Who are they?”

“Not your concern.”

I hadn’t been kept in a cage. Was that a good thing?

God, no. None of this was a good thing.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as my throat got ready to explode. “I’m…” I heaved on the man’s arm.

“Fuck you, bitch!” He let go of me to wipe off my puke.

And I ran.

Where? I had no idea. This place was a carpeted maze. Doors here and there, hallways shifting off in strange directions.

Find a door. Find an escape. Run!

But there was no escape. Each door seemed to lead nowhere, and I had no idea from which direction I had started.

I ran, tears blinding me. Until—

My body hit something hard and I fell to the ground with a thud.

“Another one got away, I see,” a voice said. “I told you it’s a mistake to feed them so well.”

“No, Jim,” said another. “What good is a hunt without strong prey? There’s no challenge.”

I panted, trying desperately to catch my breath. When I looked up, two blurred figures stood above me. Both dark-haired, and one…

Was he wearing a clergy collar?

Thank God!

“Father, help me!” I screamed.

The one dressed in hunting garb laughed. “You’ll get some help, but not from us. You’re definitely worthy prey.”

Pray. That was a good idea. I squeezed my eyes shut.

Help me, God. Please! Our Father, who art in heaven…

Strong arms lifted me to my feet.

“Stop the blubbering,” one voice said.

…Hallowed be thy name…

“Look at the body on her.”

“Tall too. Long legs. Definitely worthy.”

…Thy kingdom come…

They dragged me, my toes scraping the carpeting.

…Thy will be done…

A door slammed, and someone pushed me onto a steel table.

…On earth as it is in heaven…

“Let’s get her ready.”

…Give us this day our daily bread…

Something cold and hard touched my flesh.

…And forgive us our trespasses…

I screamed as something punctured me.

And I never prayed again.

26

Reid

I jerked upward.

“No!” Zee thrashed in bed next to me.

I rolled toward her and grabbed her shoulders. “Zee! Wake up!”

“No! Don’t hurt me! Please!”

“Zee!”

Her eyes popped open. “Help me!”

“Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe.”

“No, please!”

I moved away slightly so as not to alarm her. “It’s me, Zee. It’s Reid. You’re safe here.”

Her eyes changed then. They were still wide but she turned and looked at me. “You…”

“Yes, me. Reid.”

“Thank God.” She rolled toward me and plastered her body against mine.

This wasn’t going to help my hard dick.

“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you for keeping me safe.”

“You must have been dreaming.”

“Yeah. It happens sometimes. Especially if I’m in a new place.”