Her face flashed in my mind. The way she tipped her head back when a laugh caught her off guard. How her eyes sparked when I was inside her. The gentleness when she told me she loved me. I couldn’t lose her.
“Oh, shit.”
My gaze snapped to Holt. “What?”
He pointed over the trees ahead. “Smoke.”
47
GRAE
I poundedmy fists against the locked door. “Eddie!”
My insulin pump beeped again, and my vision blurred.Crap.This was beyond bad.
My nose twitched, the scent of something tickling it, and I froze. Smoke.
He didn’t. There was no way. But I’d seen the unhinged fury in Eddie’s eyes when he told me I’d burn. He was making good on that promise.
I pounded harder on the wood, screaming his name, but there was nothing.
Smoke seeped under the door, and I scrambled back. I knew the gray cloud would kill me far sooner the flames would. I had to get out of here, and I needed to do it now.
My gaze jumped around the room, looking for something,anythingthat might help me break free. But Eddie had prepped my cell well. There was only the mattress and blankets, a couple of pillows, and the discarded water bottle. I’d given in and drunk every last drop; I was so thirsty.
I glanced back at the bed, zeroing in on the wool blanket. Then I looked at the window. Crossing to it, I tapped the glass. It was an older cabin, so the glass was thick, but this was my only hope.
I coughed as the smoke thickened in the room, my eyes burning. Hurrying to the mattress, I yanked off the blanket and wrapped it around my arm. I went back to the window and turned so I was facing away from the glass. I hauled my arm back and brought it down with all the force I could muster, but my entire limb felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.
Pain streaked from my elbow up my arm, but the cracking sound was music to my ears. I brought my arm up and did it again. This time, the glass shattered.
Pieces fell to the floor, leaving a jagged frame in place. I covered the sharp edges and windowsill with the blanket and hoisted myself up. As I pushed through the opening, glass scraped against my back. I ignored it and kept pushing through.
I pulled fresh air into my lungs, coughing harder as I climbed out onto the overhang. Slowly, I scooted toward the edge and glanced over. My vision swam as I surveyed the drop. It was farther than I’d originally thought, but I had no choice.
Lying back, I flipped onto my belly and slid down the overhang until I hung off the side, my legs dangling. Flames danced inside the cabin, crackling and popping with angry fierceness. I said a silent prayer and released my hold.
I dropped the five feet, landing in a heap in the dirt with a muffled cry of pain. I stayed still for a moment and tried to survey the damage. Pain radiated through me, but I didn’t think I’d broken anything.
A shout sounded, and my head snapped up. I caught sight of Eddie standing to the side of the cabin, surveying his work. Fury flashed in his amber eyes, spurring me to my feet.
I wanted to stick to the road and avoid getting lost in woods I wasn’t familiar with, but I didn’t have a choice. I needed cover and a chance to hide. So, I dashed for the trees, my muscles burning and stomach cramping. Even with the dose of adrenaline, my body felt heavy, and my mouth was like a desert.
Eddie screamed in rage. He yelled nonsensical things about promises and me needing to burn.
Tears stung my face as branches tore at my skin, but I just kept running.
My foot caught on a root, and I went down hard. I didn’t even register the pain this time, just scrambled upright to keep running. But it was too late.
A hand caught my T-shirt, yanking me back against a hard chest. “You think you can betray me and walk away?” Eddie bellowed.
“Please,” I wheezed.
Dark spots danced in front of my vision, and the world tilted sideways.
Eddie pressed a blade against my neck. “I wanted to watch you burn, but maybe I’ll just watch the blood drain from you instead.”
“D-don’t. I’ll do whatever you want. Please.”
