10. A Knock of Freedom
A Knock of Freedom
One moment Kate sat, legs propped up on the couch. The next she stood, hands balled into fists. Her eyes flitting between Lucien and the shadow behind the door. He hadn’t even stepped forward from his spot next to the fire. He had merely turned. Watching, weighing what his captive would do.
Her heartbeat told her to act, move, go! But it was as if her feet had grown roots, digging down into the concrete below her.
Judging by the frown on his face, by the silent stance. Lucien hadn’t been expecting a visitor. Which could only mean…
“Don’t.” Not a question. A demand. He stared into her eyes, willing her to stay put.
If you get to the door… freedom. If Lucien beats you to it… restraints. Death.
His threats had been clear. So was her will to live.
She scrambled toward freedom. Shoes sliding over the hard floor. Lucien jumped in front of her, reaching out. His fingers grazed her forearm as she ducked down to stay out of his grasp, knocking over a side table.
It met the ground with a crash as she dashed for the front door.
Her eyes clung to the silver handle. Mind spinning.
The sight familiar as she dove closer. Only this time, there wasn’t a hole in the door. But someone on the other side.
Oh, please God!
Her shoes pounded over the floor, slipping and sliding.
Cool silver, slick beneath her palm, her hand pushed down.
Fingers clasped around her elbow in an iron grip. Pulling her back harshly.
She let out a cry, pain searing from her shoulder. Warmth pressed against her side as Lucien pulled her in against him, sandalwood attacking her senses. Her elbow shot out, aiming for the ribs, but finding nothing but air.
A scream tore from her aching, restrained body.
Without hesitation, his hand clasped over her mouth. Cutting her voice off.
Breath trailed over her neck as he murmured, “Ghost, loud.”
Ghost didn’t miss a beat, his barks dwarfing the space like a fire alarm, muffling the sounds of her struggle.
Stuck. Restrained. Death. Not done, I am not done!
Rage and fear danced with each other. She let rage take the lead.
Clamping her teeth down on the fingers silencing her voice, the taste of iron spurted into her mouth. Her vision tilted. Blood. His blood was spilling into her.
Lucien’s chest rose behind her in a sharp intake of breath. But. He. Didn’t. Let. Go. Instead, he called out, “Be there in a minute!”
“Okay.” A muffled acknowledgment came from behind the door. Nothing but a piece of metal barring her exit.
“Stay calm.” The murmur forced her hairs upright. Holding her trapped against him, he repeated the words calmly, as if she was some wild animal in need of saving.
Fucking… psychopath from hell.
He dragged her with him, turning into the hallway.
She kicked at the floor, tried to hook her ankle behind his. But his grip was relentless, balance too sure-footed.
She reached out, clinging to the wall with one arm as if it would save her from the end. “Calm down, Kate.” She was too big a nuisance to leave alive, when he returned from the front door. It was over and done with.
Kate had read the statistics. Either you fought and won… or you lost. There was but one path leading to freedom.
She threw her head back harshly, hitting bone. Lucien cursed under his breath. Nose, she had crashed into his perfect nose. His hold tightened, another curse spat out behind her.
Now, he is going to do it now. Be done with it.
Seconds ticked by before his grip loosened, blood returning to her arms. “Stop fighting, Kate!”
Never.
Ghost’s bark… everywhere. Howls splitting her head clean open. Blood pounding through her skull after the force she’d inflicted.
Lucien’s hand pried her fingers straight off the wall. The white blur slipped from her grip. He was done asking. Whirling her wrist around to pin it against her back, he pulled her backwards until they stood in front of her room.
Gods, no. I need to get out of here!
But no God answered her call for help.
Lucien plucked her legs from the ground. Airborne for a second, he unceremoniously threw her onto the large bed.
Not a second went by before her feet found floor again. Breathing ragged, she pushed off the bed.
Fur. A white coat filled her vision.
Ghost followed Lucien into the room. Silent at last, she heard Lucien mutter, “Ghost, guard.” Not a second later he slipped out of the room, the door falling into its hinges behind him.
The large beast plopped down on his haunches. Amber eyes locking with hers. The tension in his shoulders told her everything. ‘You’re not getting past me.’
Her hand inched closer, reaching for the dog that had been keeping her company. Searching for the pet within.
He’s in there.
A low whine rumbled from his chest. Grief-stricken.
At once music filled the house. “Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise” blasting from the speakers. Lucien wouldn’t be taking any chances anymore.
Tears pricked behind her eyes, blurring her view.
“Hey Ghost.” Her hand trembled as she bent down to pet him. Like she’d done dozens of times by now.
A shrill bark stopped her advance, sending the message, ‘Don’t’. Just like his partner.
It was obvious. Lucien’s order went over her kindness.
He whined once more, unrest filling his form as he tentatively wiggled his tail once. Twice.
Kate walked backwards, the back of her knees colliding with the bed. She sat down.
This is it.
A humorless laugh escaped in between hard breaths.
You’re on your own here, kid.
Fifteen years. All those years spent in loneliness among her foster family. But never, never had she felt as deserted as now.
She scooted backwards against the pillows, knees drawing up to rest against her chin.
One tear. One streak carved down her cheek. It was the only one she allowed.