Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

“My love,” I whispered tearfully as I leaned down, the words falling softly between us. I’d only ever used them in them in the darkest, quietest parts of the night, the sentiment too private and fragile to throw around recklessly. His gaze grew tender, the way it always did.

“All tangled up,” he replied, tilting his head up so our lips could meet.

Everything around us disappeared for that short moment, and I felt a burst of hope fill my chest. Maybe we could get out of this. Maybe, just maybe, we could leave this nightmare behind.

“We have to hurry, baby,” he said as he pulled away, shattering the fragile moment like glass. I sniffled and rested my forehead against his for just a second before straightening up again.

“Turn around and hand me those shears,” he said, his jaw firming. “In my right hand, alright?”

“Your fingers,” I rasped, shaking my head.

“Nothin’ for it,” he replied. “My left hand is shit. It’s gotta be my right.”

I searched his face for any sign that he’d change his mind, then turned slowly until my back was to him. I closed my eyes and pictured the shears, gingerly turning them in my hands until the handle pointed toward his fingers. I groaned silently as my fingertips brushed against the gore covering the blade.

“That’s it,” he whispered, “lean back just a little.”

When the tool was safely in his grip, I inhaled deeply with relief.

“I need you to lean down,” he ordered. “I’m gonna cut the tape right between your wrists.”

Doing as he asked, I waited silently as I felt the duct tape pull. I didn’t make a sound as the sharp end of the blade dug into my skin and I felt blood drip down my hand.

“I’m sorry, I can’t get a good grip,” he choked out. “Fuck.”

“Keep going,” I whispered back. “Don’t stop.”

“I won’t.”

It felt like it took forever before my hands were free, but as soon as I felt the pressure ease I tugged hard. The pain in my previously numb arms was excruciating as I swung them a little. Twisting, I gently gripped the shears and pulled them from his mangled fingers.

“No,” he said as I reached for the tape holding his arm to the chair. “Get the tape on your ankles before you fall over.”

I didn’t think anything of his order as I bent over to release my ankles. Adrenaline was racing through my veins as I listened for any type of disturbance upstairs. This was the first time they’d left us alone for any length of time, and I knew that we probably didn’t have long before they came back.

“Done,” I murmured as I straightened and reached for him again.

“No, baby,” he said firmly, his eyes meeting mine. “Just you.”

“What?” I asked in confusion. “No. What are you talking about? No.”

“You gotta go.”

“I’m not leaving you here,” I snapped, reaching for his arm again.

“Goddammit, Rose,” he replied sharply. “Stop.”

I froze.

“I’m not going without you,” I said.

“You have to.”

“No,” I replied stubbornly around the lump in my throat. “No.”

“There ain’t no way you can carry me up those stairs,” he whispered roughly. “And I won’t be able to make it.”

“Why?” I looked down his body, and that’s when I saw the deep wound in his left thigh. My mind raced as I tried to remember when it had happened, but I couldn’t. He’d never made a sound. “Oh, God,” I breathed.

“You have to go, baby.”

“I can’t.” My body jerked as I held back a sob.

“The only way I’m gettin’ out of here is if you go get the cavalry,” he said, his eyes growing glassy as he stared at me. “But, baby, if that don’t happen—”

“Don’t,” I choked out, shaking my head.

“If that don’t happen,” he repeated, ignoring my denial, “it’s enough to know that you’re safe. Alright? If you love me, you’ll get the hell out of here as fast as you can.”

I couldn’t even nod as I stared into his eyes, my heart breaking into a million pieces.

“Don’t look back, Rose,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t stop until you’re behind the gates.”

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I know you do,” he replied. “That’s why you’re gonna get out of here. Now, Rosie. Before they come back.”

A sense of calm fell over me. I knew with absolute certainty that if I didn’t leave right then, I wouldn’t. I’d stay with him and let the chips fall where they may.

“I’ll be back with the cavalry,” I whispered, as I kissed him gently. “You just hold out until we get here.”

“I love you,” he replied. “Now, go.”

I stumbled back a few steps, my eyes still on his. Then, before I could change my mind, I spun around and headed for the stairs. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

The wooden stairway was sturdy and didn’t make any noise as I quietly made my way to the first floor of the house. When I got to the top, I gripped the shears in my hand and peeked around the corner into the empty kitchen. That’s when I spotted a door to the outside, just feet away from where I was standing.