“Yeah, baby. I’m sad,” I tell her even though I should probably lie.
“I stays with you, Cara. I love you.”
My cracked heart shatters with those words. Words she’s told me before. Words I know she meant.But this time is different. This time I let myself feel them. I let them blanket me, wrap around me and give me strength.
I spend the night and most of the day trying to figure out how toget us away from these people.I’ve tried the door. It’s amazingthat the locks still work in this completely derelict house that is probably condemned. I consider the window, only todiscover we’re on the second floor.It has to be a last resort because I won’t let Lyra get hurt unnecessarily.
Since yesterday, the only person we’ve seen is Peyton which I have not questioned or complained about.Part of me hoped it meant the men weren’t here. I know I can handle Peyton on my own.
But their voices carried through the house about mid-day.Every time I hear Niko’s voice, my stomach drops. Nausea fills mewith each word.
I wish Lyra wasn’t here. I’d give anything forherto be with Jake where she’s safe. But she is also the only reason I’ve been holding it together.She’s my reason for hanging on to my control and sanity.
When the door opens, Peyton comes into the roomcarrying a plate of food.Behind her is her brother.She hasn’t brought me food once. I haven’t complained and don’t plan on it. As long as Lyra is okay, that’s all that matters.
But any hunger I feel is replaced by a thick, swirling knot of fear and tension when he steps into the room. I work hard to keep my expressionneutral and my posture straight. I won’t let him seethe effect he has on me. Not as long as Lyra is here.
He doesn’tsay anything to me. He just rakes his eyes over my body. What little he can see, considering Lyra is in my lap.
My skin crawls with each second his gaze lingers on me.I bury my face in Lyra’s hair, humming to her whileshe eats her sandwich. She still only nibbles.
Children may not fully comprehend what goes on around them.They don’t understand what words like safe, danger, or even evil mean.But they know when something is bad. They know whenthey’re uncomfortable.
She may not understandthe danger we’re in. Butshe can feel the tension. She is stressed and worriedwithout knowing what it is she feels or why.
When Lyra finishes picking at her food, Nikojerks his head toward the door. When Peyton isno longer within earshot, he looks at me withmaliciousness. “Tomorrow,we’re leaving here. I have special plans for you. I never got what I paid for all those years ago, and you left mein quite an uncomfortable position a few weeks ago.But I enjoyedjerking my cock to images of your face.”
I don’t say anything at all. I don’t even acknowledge he said something.He doesn’t care anyway. He didn’t say it for a response. He said it toscare me.
And it worked.I’m out of time. I’vegot to get us out of here. I don’t even know where here is, butI don’t think we’re far out of Paris. Tomorrow, he plans to change that. Icannot let that happen.
I plot and plan several different scenarios. None are particularly appealing, especially with Lyrato consider. If I’m honest with myself, they’re more likely to get us killed, but I will do whateveris needed to get Lyra safe.
Including begging Peyton. Which is exactly what I have planned when she walks into the room.
“Peyton,” I whisper when she sets yet another peanut butter and jelly in front of us,“you have to help me get out of here. Get Lyra out of here.”
Her blue eyesmeet my brown ones.I think she’s going to agree for a second. Instead, she just walks out of the room.
Several hours later, she slips back into the room. “Get up,” she hisses.
I sit up from the disgusting mattress, bringing Lyra with me. I’ve hadher sleeping in my arms or on my chest since wewere brought here. I refuse to have whateverdepravity has touched this mattress touch her.
“We have ten minutes toget out of here,” she tells me. “Niko will be back by then, and it will be too late.”
My heart races.He’s not here.She’s handed me everythingin just a few words. This is my opportunity.
I quickly grab Lyra,waking her as I do. “I not wanna wakes up,” she tells meas she rubs her eyes.
“I know, pretty girl,” I whisper, “but we’re going to go home to Daddy now.”
“Daddy,” she blinks, tears filling her eyes.
“Mmm-hmm, but you got to stay quiet. Okay?”
“I bees quiet,” she whispers against my neck.
“Let’s go,” Peyton tells me, moving quickly.
