The door swings open fast, and I jump again with a shriek. I don’t think my heart can handle anymore right now.
A tall, wide figure rushes into the room, closing the door quietly behind them. My heart sinks as Kameron scans theroom, landing on Marcus first, giving him a nod of approval before they land on me. Those honey hues look full of every emotion as he bends down to me faster than expected.
I dip farther beneath the steaming water. He halts as he kneels in front of the tub. His jaw ticks again just as Marcus’s did.
He scoops the sheer dress up from the floor, raising it in his hands. “Hey there, gor—”
“Don’t.” My voice cracks, and I hold my hand up like they can physically stop his words. “I don’t want that near me.”
My words come out, pleading for him to get the dress away. I never wanted to see that thing again.
“I’m gonna get you out of here, Elliott. I need you to get dressed so I can do that.” One of his hands reaches for me.
I allow his fingers to push my hair behind my ear. My body is still shaking. I look up at him from my spot in the water. Even kneeling, he towers over me.
He looks me over again, wiping a tear I don’t realize is streaming down my face. “Fuck, Elliott. I’m so sorry.” He pulls me into his embrace, holding me like if he lets me go, I would vanish. He doesn’t even care I’m soaking the front of his shirt “I didn’t save you.” His voice sounded so pained, and I let my body curl into his hold. More tears pour out of me. “I’m going to save you now, okay?” He pulls away, and I ache as his warmth leaves me.
“You can’t save me, Kam. He already claimed me as his.”
“He hasnoclaim on you, Elliott.”
His voice is sharp.
The words are intended to scare me, but my mind is scrambled, and it still makes me jolt with fear.
“Shit. I’m sorry.” He moves away a fraction. “You’re gonna be safe now, Elliott. So please...” He moves closer again, hesitantly placing a soft kiss on the top of my head. “Please put the dress on. Once you are safe, you can cut it up and burn the fucking thing. I promise.”
He really means it. He actually is going to get me out of here.
I nod softly.
He is about to scoop me up into his arms when I look over my shoulder at Marcus, who is still watching us. He looks to me, and without me having to say a thing, he looks away. The minute his eyes are averted, Kameron scoops me out of the water, cradling me close.
I lean my head on his shoulder.
The sheer fabric is still in his hand as he set me on the edge of the tub.
I don’t want it near me, but I don’t have another option, as they have taken my other clothes away, and I am not going to put on the gown Samuel has picked out for the wedding.
I lift my arms, allowing Kameron to pull the dress back onto me. A knot forms in my stomach as it plasters to my still-wet skin. He tilts my chin up with a finger, looking at me for reassurance.
A faint nod is all I can give.
I’m not okay, but I need to do this. I couldn’t marry Samuel. I had already let it go too far. I let him take a piece of me that I would never get back.
He walks me to the window, then sets me on the windowpane. I look down to see Marcus is standing on a ladder. Kam turns me to him one more time before looking back to Marcus.
He looks down at me again like he wants to say something but can’t. The door opens again, and I duck, covering myself with Kameron’s frame.
Abigail’s eyes lands on us immediately.
My heart is racing.
“You need to hurry. Whatever you are going to do, do it now. There isn’t much time left.” She shoots her eyes from Kameron to me, eyes full of hope and terror. “Save her, please.” My heart breaks at the sound as her voice pleads for Kameron to do what he says he would do. “Let them save you from this, miss.” Her eyes are glossy as she looks at me one last time before closing the door quickly.
Kameron inhales sharply. “On to the ladder. We don’t have much time.” I look at the ladder below and move closer to him again. “We won’t let you fall,” he says, rubbing his hand up and down my arms.
With a deep breath, I swing my leg out the open window, and Marcus leans back to give me enough room to stand in front of him.
