Tears begin to well in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I’m caught in a quagmire of quicksand, only worse. I feel like the quicksand is inside my body, sucking in my very soul, collapsing inwardly into a place of nothingness, but at the same time, I feel empty inside. I’m not even sure my heart is pumping blood through my veins right now. I am an empty vessel, lifeless and dead inside. This must be what experiencing pure shock feels like.
CHAPTER SEVEN
I slowly turn my head to watch Travis through the curtain of hair that has spilled over my blank, hollow eyes. His fall on mine, transforming from expressionless to soft and almost-sorrowful. My shock is the result of the bombshell that had exploded around me, revealing the ugly truth of who these people really are. Human traffickers.
My God, what are they planning to do with me—my mind, my body, my life? I guess in reality, I am simply drowning in a sea of questions, each one leading me to more questions. I feel trapped by the same question circling my brain over and over—Why? I simply can’t believe this is happening to me.
I tried before not to give anyone of them the satisfaction of seeing my tears, but now they come unhindered. I’m too numb to stop them or brush them away from the slippery trail they make as they run over my cheek. I watch through my blurry eyes as Travis sets the tray of food down on the end of the bed. He quietly saunters his way toward me. I’m unable to focus on a coherent thought. For some reason, Travis doesn’t scare me; he probably should, but after dealing with Nicks harshness, I don’t think anyone can be as cold and callous as he.
I suddenly find myself distracted by Travis’ looks. He’s dressed in dark jeans, his muscular thighs outlined in dark denim. Broad shoulders sport a dark-blue, button-down dress shirt with rolled sleeves, exposing his corded forearms. He’s lean through the waist but not thin. I believe he could have a job moonlighting as a fitness model. His dark, five o’clock shadow is shading his jaw, an indication he’s been with me for almost 24 hours now, making sure I’ve been properly taken care of. My brows furrow in confusion. Why would he even care? I’m only a pawn in their game, one who was stalked, then stolen to serve every one of Nick’s sadistic fantasies. I tilt my head to the side, studying Travis, and even though he’s Nick’s second-in-command, he looks as if he should be the leader of the pack. I decide he’s definitely all-alpha male, more so than Nick, who’s more of a pretty boy, metrosexual.
Unable to form words, I remain silent; my brain has checked out, rendering me speechless and unable to form words. His heavy weight rests on the now-dipping mattress as he sits down beside me, touching my hip with his. I should be scrambling off the bed right now, trying to get away, especially after Nick’s alpha display of domination. For some reason, however, I don’t think that’s Travis’ intent. He keeps his soft gaze on mine as he locks me into a trance.
Holy hell, he is a smooth operator, I think as he leans in close, wiping my stray tears with his thumb. His tender touch and his act of kindness make me want to weep even more. I find myself captivated by his enchanting spell. Those beautiful, familiar green eyes stare into mine, speaking to me with compassion and understanding. I believe he’s trying to speak to me through his eyes, but I can’t interpret the meaning; yet his calm and quiet demeanor seems to soothe me. Have I lost my mind, or is what I’m feeling part of the shock process?
“Shh now, it’ll be all right. Take a deep breath for me…breathe.”
Oh. My. God. The way he’s attempting to pick up the broken pieces of me has my heart slowly beating back to life. It’s good to hear his now-familiar voice again, speaking with a smooth, husky, and deep tone. His soft touch and his voice seem to provide a safe haven of solace for the moment, a comfort I desperately need in this time of disparity. I didn’t realize I was barely breathing until I find myself taking a deep, shaky breath at his request.
If I had met this man in another place and time, garnering me with this type of affection, I would’ve thought I’d won the lottery. He wouldn’t have needed to capture me to make me his. He could have simply been a stranger crossing my path, and if he were to stop me and ask me out, I would have accepted on the spot without hesitation.
I slap the palm of my hand hard against my forehead with a loud smack, and the sound resonates through my head. Something is seriously messing with my brain. What the hell? What about Adam? I slap myself in the forehead again, needing to clear my hazy thoughts.