Chapter 9 #2
“Of course not. And for the record, that’s not just a beanbag. It’s called a Lovesac. A terrible name, in my opinion, but it’s the most comfortable damn thing I’ve ever sat on. Be warned, once you get in, you won’t want to get out.”
She giggled. And the sound went straight to Chaos’s heart.
It was so carefree. As if this woman hadn’t been a kidnap victim just a couple days ago.
As if she hadn’t had her entire life upended.
As if she hadn’t just been clinging to a freaking tree in the middle of a flash flood after the cabin where she’d been held captive was swept away.
She flopped into the beanbag, and Chaos saw her eyes widen as she got comfortable. “Holy crap. You’re right. This thing is awesome!”
After a bit of wiggling, Kara leaned her head on her arm and sighed. “Arrow?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks. I mean, for everything. I just…I thought I’d be dead by now. I was thrilled when I was able to get out of that cabin, but then with the flood, and the tree…I can’t believe I’m here. Comfortable, clean, warm…safe.”
Her words meant the world to Chaos. But knowing she felt safe…that felt like a gift.
“Have you thought any more about where you’d like to live while you’re getting settled in? You have a lot of options.”
What he really wanted to do was tell her she could stay here. With him. But he thought she’d be more comfortable living with a woman. Especially after everything she’d been through.
Kara nodded. “I can’t believe how nice everyone has been, especially since I’m a stranger. And because if Nolan finds out where I am, being around me could put everyone in danger.”
“That’s kind of how we all roll. The women have been through some extremely tough times, and they know what it’s like to feel unsafe.”
Kara nodded. “If you think it’s okay, I guess staying with Jen and Fred would be best for now.
I’d feel like a third wheel with the others, even though their generosity means the world to me.
And Jen said the apartment building where she lives has security.
I mean, nothing is foolproof, and I’m sure Nolan could find a way around it, but it would make me feel a little better until I can find a job and get my own place. I hate being a mooch though.”
“You aren’t being a mooch,” Chaos said a little too forcefully.
He made himself take things down a notch.
“She wouldn’t have offered if she didn’t genuinely want you there.
I get the impression that Jen is kind of lonely.
She’ll probably love having a roommate. One who can actually talk back to her, unlike Fred. ”
Kara smiled.
They were silent for a few minutes, and when Chaos looked over at Kara again, he saw her eyes were drooping. She was almost down for the count. He grinned. The beanbag had a way of doing that.
Standing, he walked over to her. “Bedtime,” he said, holding out a hand to help her get out of the beanbag.
She looked up at him a little sheepishly. “Sorry I’m not being a more entertaining guest.”
“You don’t ever have to feel as if you have to entertain me. We’re friends, right?”
She nodded.
“Friends don’t care if they sit in the same room for hours and don’t say a word. We’re happy simply being in the same space together. Come on, I’ll help you out.” He held out his hand and she took it without hesitation, which made him feel good that she trusted him, at least a little.
As soon as she was on her feet, he let go of her hand and stepped back. She gave him a smile and headed for the guest room.
“I’ll go grab all the stuff the girls got you and bring it in.”
“Thanks.”
Chaos nodded and headed for his bedroom. It didn’t take too long to transfer all the bags to the guest room. “Feel free to head to bed. I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’m going to stay up for a bit longer.”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind…”
“Of course not.”
She nodded, then headed to the guest bathroom.
Chaos heard the water running, and he figured she was brushing her teeth with the toiletries he’d put in there while she’d been in the shower in his room.
She exited just minutes later, saying good night again before entering her room and closing the door.
Chaos immediately felt antsy with Kara out of his sight.
He wanted to resume his earlier pacing, but he forced himself to sit on the couch and turn the television on low.
He turned to a sports channel and stared unseeingly at the game that was on.
His mind was spinning, thinking about everything that had happened in such a short period of time.
The creak of the guest room door opening had him whipping his head around to see what was wrong.
Kara was standing there, looking a little lost.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just…the window in the room…I checked and it’s locked, but there’s a bush right outside. What if…” Her voice trailed off.
Chaos could’ve kicked himself for not reassuring her of the safety of his home before she went to bed.
“No one’s getting into this house without me knowing,” he told her.
“I have a security system that I turned on after the pizza delivery person left. If anyone breaks a window, or opens one, the alarm will go off. If he’s still alive, he can’t get to you while you’re in this house. ”
The instant relief in her posture said a lot about how worried she’d been.
“Okay, good.”
“You’re safe here. I promise.”
“I know I’ve been thanking you a lot, but I really mean it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Get some sleep. I’m sure it’s been too long since you’ve had a good restorative rest.”
“Yeah. Good night.”
“Night, Kara.”
She gave him one more smile before closing the door yet again.
And again, Chaos stared at the television unseeingly. As he remembered what happened to her, he was aware she had every right to be terrified that Nolan would find her once more. He’d kill her if he got his hands on her again. They both knew that.
A sound coming from her room had Chaos on his feet instantly, his head cocked as he tried to figure out what he was hearing. Walking silently over to her door, he listened, wondering if he should invade her privacy to see what was wrong.
It took a moment to understand the noise. It was the sound of a piece of furniture being moved across the floor. The door rattled slightly, and Chaos envisioned that was because the dresser—the only thing she could’ve moved on her own—had settled against the surface on the other side.