Fucking asshole. What was I? Ten?
The driveway in front of my father’s house glowed with electric lanterns and headlights of sporadic cars coming and going, while men paced in black suits, some with flashlights behind the tree line but every one of them with a walkie-talkie, I was sure.
Even if I broke the window, I wouldn’t get far. I was sure Anderson would love another chance at a cheap shot, though.
I pulled the hand towel away from the scratch that asshole gave me, seeing the cloth soaked again. This was the third towel. It was still bleeding.
I blew out a breath, the hair on the back of my neck rising as heat spread over my skin. I charged away from the window, kicking a trunk sitting on my floor.
“Fuck,” I growled, tossing the towel off somewhere and grabbing a T-shirt from my dresser and pulling it on.
I had to get out of here. Soon, before I didn’t have any energy left. They hadn’t fed me all day, and no one had come to check on me. I knew there were guards outside my door, though. I was stopped as soon as I tried to leave earlier.
I should tell them I was bleeding. My father would get me a doctor.
As long as I got back in line, brought Arion back home, played the husband, and went to work for him.
I shook my head. Fuck him.
I was going to burn this place to the ground with him in it. If he was lucky.
I had to get out of here before anyone got to Winter. I was the only one who’d be able to keep her safe.
I blinked away the spots in my vision and headed into the bathroom, throwing my fist into the silver-framed mirror above the sink. Shards of glass spilled into the sink, and I grabbed a washcloth, wrapping it around a piece of glass and heading for my door.
I stumbled, though, the room spinning in front of me.
“What the fuck?” I gritted out, impatient.
The wound was bearable, but sweat covered my brow, and nausea rolled through my stomach. I blinked long and hard, but every time I opened my eyes, the room was getting blacker, like I was sinking deeper into a tunnel, the light at the end getting smaller and smaller. Blood slowly seeped through my black T-shirt and down my pants.
Fuck, this wasn’t good. I needed food. Or water. And the pain was fucking irritating.
I rubbed my eyes, but instead of moving for the door, I fell down on my bed, letting my head fall back.
The cool comforter felt like heaven, and I swung a leg up, trying to calm my breathing.
Just a minute. Just need to rest for one fucking minute.
I wasn’t sure if I fell asleep or how long I was asleep, but I opened my eyes with a start, the room pitch black and a body on top of me.
“Shhh,” the shadow said, her hand over my mouth.
What? Who was this?
I reached up, grabbing her and recognizing the feel of her hair and her head in my hands.
Oh, my God. You’ve got to be kidding me.
“Winter?” I blurted out. “What the fuck?”
“Shhh,” she hissed, pressing her hand down on me harder. “Be very quiet. They’re right outside the door.”
She was saving me?
“How did you get in here?” I asked.
She straddled me, her knee rubbing my wound, but I didn’t care. I took her in my arms and kissed her lips, her forehead, her cheek…