10. Luella
Chapter 10
Luella
C olton pulls me into the library, the heavy door thudding shut behind us. There’s an urgency in his movements that sets my heart racing, each breath thick with tension. “Mary,” he says, his voice a low murmur, “you need to see something.”
“What is it?” I demand, my grip tightening on the book I found. His intensity unnerves me, and I can’t shake the feeling that I should be as far away as possible from this monster. He must be one—I saw what he did in those photographs. Or more so, what he didn’t do. He watched and did nothing to help them.
He catches my eye, his expression serious. “Trust me,” he replies, inching closer as he gestures toward a towering bookshelf. My instincts urge me to back away, but I have no choice. He’s pointing to a different bookcase than the one I used earlier.
How many fucking passageways are there in this house?!
With a shaky breath, I nod. Whatever happens, I know I’m strong enough to fight him off or run.
He pushes against the shelf, revealing a hidden panel that slides open with a soft groan, and my heart races again.
Is this what he’s been hiding? He’s showing me a secret passageway; either he’s genuine, or he’s trying to kill me.
It’s a tight passageway, dimly lit and suffocatingly narrow. I can feel the heat radiating from him as he steps in beside me, closing the door behind us. His hand grips mine, and I jolt back, alarmed. He doesn’t let go, though, simply makes sure the door is closed behind us. Darkness blocks my vision, and all I can feel is his pulse throbbing with mine through our entwined fingers. I swallow hard.
“Colton, what’s going on?” I whisper, glancing back at the hidden entrance.
What if his father finds us?
His jaw tightens, and I watch a flicker of something dark flash across his face, something I can’t quite place. “My father plans to use you, Mary. You have to understand…” His voice trembles slightly, revealing a hint of vulnerability that surprises me.
What? Little does Colton know, I do understand— too much, if I’m being honest . But this also tells me Colton is genuinely trying to help me, and it makes my head throb with confusion. He’s watched girls get abused, and yet here he is, hiding in a secret passageway with me.
Before I can respond, I hear footsteps approaching from the library. Colton’s instincts kick in, and he lunges forward, pulling me into his arms. Our bodies collide, and I feel the heat of his breath against my ear as he covers my mouth with a gentle urgency. His cologne is delicious, soothing almost. I stiffen, trying to remember that he is still a stranger to me.
I can’t let my guard slip.
I try to push him back, but it’s like pushing against a wall. He’s all solid muscle, his arms caging me in as he leans closer. “Stay quiet,” he breathes, his lips brushing my ear. The intimacy of the moment clashes with the fear gnawing at my insides. My head spins with the heat of his body, with the way his hand grazes my waist as he pulls me further into the shadows.
“Colton, let go of me,” I hiss, struggling against the suffocating closeness. But he doesn’t let go.
Instead, he tilts his head down, his eyes dark and dangerous. “You don’t understand, Mary,” he murmurs, his voice rough. “If he finds us, if he finds you, you’re not walking out of here. ”
The adrenaline fuels me while a dangerous mix of fear and exhilaration courses through my veins. He’s pressing his entire body weight against me, flattening my ribcage. I struggle to breathe, but he dips his head, his hot breath on my ear.
“You’re safe.” I hate how his words make me feel. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like this—not when I’ve seen those photographs, not when I know what kind of man he must be. And yet…there’s something in the way he shields me, the way his body presses protectively against mine, that tugs at something deep inside me. I tell myself it’s just survival, that trusting him—even a little—is a means to an end. But when he leans in closer, whispering my name, a spark of warmth flickers through the fear, confusing me even more.
Don’t believe him.
I shouldn’t be this close to him. Not when I can feel every tight muscle, every sharp breath. The air between us feels electric, and yet I can’t help but notice how protective he is—even if it unnerves me. I can sense the turmoil within him, the way he struggles against whatever darkness lurks beneath his surface.
Xavier’s voice drifts in from the library, and I strain to hear him, my heart racing as he uses my name, discussing plans that chill me to the bone. “We can use her,” he says, cold and calculating. Every word drips with malice, and panic hitches in my throat as realization dawns on me: he isn’t just dangerous—he intends to do something horrific. “Take it in turns, for a start. Colton has taken a liking to her; I think he’s falling in love with her.”
The men in the library with Xavier chuckle, and Colton exhales heavily, his rage evident.
Falling in love with me? This must be part of their plan—get me to trust Colton and then destroy me.
“He’s asked me to leave her alone.” Xavier howls with laughter, and Colton dips his head.
Did he? Why? He doesn't even know me.
Colton tenses, and I can feel the anger igniting within him. He strokes my face softly, his other hand firmly wrapped around my waist. I’ve never seen this side of him before. He knows what his father is capable of, and he’s trying to save me.
“Colton...” I whisper, my voice trembling as I look up at him. “What are we going to do?”
He swallows hard, his gaze piercing through the dim light. “We need to get out of here.”
He’s serious. But if I leave now, I won’t get this chance again. I need to do what I came here to do.
Just then, Xavier’s footsteps seem to echo louder, edging closer, and my breath catches in my throat. I shudder, fear mixing with determination as we move further away from danger.
“Did you sign the contract, Mary?” Colton rasps, still gripping me as we move further into the passage.
“Contract?” I echo, trying to sound clueless. That fucking contract. “Of employment? Yes, of course. But why?”
Finally, we reach another opening, and Colton grabs my face, squeezing my cheeks. “You’re not safe here,” he states, his voice taut with urgency. “You have to trust me now.” Then he blinks, releasing me while mumbling something to himself that sounds like, “I’m not him.”
What the fuck?
My cheeks ache, and I rub them before glancing back at him, my heart racing. Trust is hard to give when everything feels broken, but I can see the fire in his eyes—an unwavering determination to protect me, even if that means stepping into the darkness himself.
“I don’t know if I can,” I admit, my voice quiet yet defiant.
“I’ll explain everything once we get outside this damned house.” His expression softens for a brief moment before he steels himself again, the shadows creeping back across his features.
“Colton...”
“Mary.” He whirls around to face me, his eyes glittering. I stumble back, but he pulls me against him once more, a snarl leaving his lips. “Stay. With. Me.”
It’s not a request; it’s a fucking command—one I’m not able to refuse without exposing everything.