King Maker (King Maker 3)

“I’ll be back.”

Then he was gone as I curled into a ball.

It wasn’t long before someone else was there pushing wet strands of hair from my eyes.

“Bails, you’re safe.”

Though I’d known that on some level, hearing it allowed me to let the walls down I’d protected myself with. I let out a sob for all sobs.

Turner wrapped me in his arms and cradled me to his chest.

He was home and home was safe. All the fear that I’d held in poured out of me as I thanked the man above and whoever else had been watching over me.

“They’re here,” he said.

I was airborne in his arms as we stepped out of the musky room that smelled of mold and other things. Fresh cold air whipped over me and I shuddered.

The next thing I knew, I was on a gurney being checked over by EMTs. I clamped down on Turner’s hand, not ready to be alone with strangers.

I barely heard the questions, answering on autopilot while wondering where Kalen was. I found him standing near the door I’d exited like a valiant knight, all beautiful and dangerous with an indecipherable expression.

“Miss, we need to get you to the hospital.”

I cringed at the idea, huddling closer to Turner as I temporarily focused on the woman speaking to me.

“No,” I said in an unfamiliar raspy voice, reminding me what I’d just endured. “No hospitals.”

“Bails, you should get checked out,” Turner pressed.

That was the last thing I wanted. I sought out Kalen, but he was gone and it felt like someone had reached into my chest and fisted my heart.

A familiar prick of my skin nearly caused me to jump out of my skin.

“Just saline,” the woman said.

“I don’t want it,” I said in a panic.

“Miss, please.”

She focused on Turner who helped them to keep me from jumping off the gurney.

“No,” I yelled. “I don’t want this.”

I was being irrational, but my emotional state was fragile at best.

Suddenly, Matt was there arguing with the EMTs.

“Bailey, if you were given anything, it’s best to let the saline help flush things out of your system.”

Rationally, I knew it didn’t exactly work that way, but he was right. I had no idea the toxins the guy had poisoned me with. I hadn’t had anything to eat or drink, and I wasn’t sure how long I’d been kept. I could be at the very least dehydrated.

I stopped fighting them. Turner was here. Matt was here. Kalen—

I was safe. So I stopped and relaxed. But that wasn’t the worst part. The police came over wanting my statement.

“Give us a minute,” Matt demanded.

There was something about his commanding voice that made everyone listen, including the police.

He came closer and brushed away the damp hair from my face. “I know this is hard, but I need you to tell me everything.”

This wasn’t something I relished. I just wanted to get far away. But I’d seen enough cop shows to know it wasn’t that easy. I would likely be repeating this tale numerous times before I could go home. And where was home?

“I don’t remember much in the beginning. He came from behind and dosed me with something. I blacked out and woke up here.”

Matt interrupted me, “When you woke up, how did you feel?”

“A little sick and confused,” I admitted.

Matt nodded. “Go on.”

I proceeded to tell him everything as I remembered it, including my trip to the bathroom. I told him how complacent I’d been allowing myself to be bound again. Matt’s face held no judgment.

I showed him my hand and caught his growing rage.

Once I finished, Matt rubbed his knuckles across my cheek after he seemed to release a breath. “You are okay. He can’t hurt you anymore.” He stared in my eyes a long time. “I have to go talk to some other people. Turner will stay with you.” He nodded at Turner who was still at my side. “You will have to repeat this to the police. Make sure you tell them exactly what the guy claimed he was going to do before we showed up.”

The way he emphasized it I knew it was important.

“We don’t want this guy to get off because he might claim that Kalen put his life in danger. When we both know Kalen was only protecting you and himself.”

I nodded, getting it. Kalen had been the one to take him down. The sounds I’d heard when Kalen had gotten off me hadn’t sounded good. The last thing I wanted was for Kalen to get in trouble for saving me.

I buried my face in Turner’s chest and let him hold me while I let loose a second round of tears. It was all such a mess.

My nightmare seemed to crawl on while we waited. I wasn’t allowed to leave unless I agreed to go to the hospital.