Abigail murmurs in her sleep and I pull my head back in, glancing towards her. She shivers and burrows deeper into the covers.
With a sigh of resignation, I pull the screen back down and close the window.
Even if I were able to fasten a rope out of the sheets, it just feels too risky. Abigail would probably get hurt. If I try to shimmy down while holding her, we’d probably both break our necks.
Walking over to her, I slide her shoes off and tuck her under the thick, fluffy comforter. It’s not until I slide into the bed beside her and lay my head down on the pillow that I feel a little pinch around my neck.
Glancing down, I look at the necklace Ivan gave me with a frown. With everything going on, I totally forgot about it.
Sitting up, I unclasp the necklace then let the strands of diamonds slide through my fingers to pool into my palm. There’s a sickening amount of diamonds. I knew when Ivan locked it around my neck that he expected repayment… in bed.
Cupping the diamonds in my hand, I watch them sparkle in the moonlight and feel a warm burst of hope.
Who needs a purse or a wallet when I have this? Even if I only get a fraction of what they’re really worth, it will be more than enough for us to get away…
All I have to do is get us to a pawn shop.
6
Amy
Tossing and turning, I try my hardest to fall asleep. After about an hour, I give up, accepting that it’s just not going to happen.
I’ve been through too much tonight and my brain won’t stop replaying it over and over again. I keep reliving Ivan’s cold touch. Andrew’s smoldering eyes.
And Lucifer pointing a gun at my head.
Sliding my hand under my pillow, I check to make sure my necklace is still where I left it. Then I sit up. Carefully, I pull the blanket back without disturbing Abigail and slide out of bed.
My feet hit the floor and my toes sink into the plush carpet as I stand.
I take a moment to tuck the blanket around Abigail and resist the urge to smooth her hair back.
Quietly, I tiptoe my way across the room and open the door.
The hallway is pitch black. I pause for a moment, hoping my eyes will adjust to the dark, but every light in the house must be off.
I can’t see my own hand in front of my face, and I should probably just go back to bed, but it feels like some unseen force is tugging me, urging me to step into the dark.
Pressing my palm against the wall, I use touch to guide me down the hall. Carefully, I slide my foot forward, ensuring the floor is there before I move.
I focus so much attention on walking that I don’t realize I’m not alone.
I make it to the next door when I’m suddenly grabbed.
“Where are you going?” Andrew growls.
Grabbing me roughly, he spins me around and pins me against the wall.
So terrified I can’t scream, only gasp, my world spins and my eyes strain against the darkness, trying to make out his face.
It’s so dark I can’t see him, only feel him.
His warmth.
His angry energy.
His menace.
“Are you trying to run away?” he asks harshly, his hands tightening around my wrists and pinching my skin.
“N—n—no,” I stammer, my heart beating wildly behind my ribs. Of course it would look that way but, “I couldn’t sleep.”
“So?” he rumbles ominously and takes a step forward, pressing me into the wall with his chest.
The length of his hard body presses against my body and alarm bells start going off inside of my head as he cages me in.
One wrong word and this could be it…
“I… I just wanted to get a drink of water,” I squeak, trying to ignore how warm he feels.
Seriously, he’s burning hot. The heat from his chest is scorching my breasts through my dress.
“Is that all?” he asks, his voice softening, and his fingers start to loosen around my wrists.
Thinking we’ve cleared up the little misunderstanding, I start to relax a little and take a moment to catch my breath before answering, “Yes.”
“You weren’t…” His knee nudges at my knees. “Trying to find your way to my room?”
“Of course not!” I gasp and lock my knees together, denying him entrance.
What the hell is he doing?
He pulls on my wrists suddenly, yanking them up, and stretching me out on the wall like I’m on a vertical rack.
I can’t squeeze my legs together stretched out on my tiptoes like this.
His knee spreads my knees easily now and then he’s fitting himself between my thighs. I’m so shocked, so disturbed, I freeze up, unsure of what to do.
Will he hurt me if I fight him? Or is he counting on my submission?