Beautifully damaged boxs.., p.58
Beautifully Damaged Boxset, page 58
I sat up slowly. This time, things didn’t tilt and spin. Glancing at my arm, I realized my IV had been removed. I was free of the drugs the doctor had fed me for the last few days. I carefully swung my legs over the edge of the bed and eased off the mattress. Noting the blue socks with white grips on the bottom, I wiggled my toes. I used to love these in the past. Not anymore.
I clutched the bedrail and took a few steps, then a few more. Other than some occasional cramps, I felt better, stronger.
The door swung open, and the doctor entered. There wasn’t even a trace of remorse in her expression. Hell, I suspected she was a soulless bitch exactly like her bosses. “Good morning. It’s nice to see you up and around. How are you feeling?” Her body language was stiff and professional, lacking any emotion at all.
“I feel better.” I cautiously walked to the bed but remained standing.
“Excellent.” She approached a computer and entered a password. “I’ll update your information.” Dr. Austin focused on her task while I waited.
When she finished, she headed to the cabinet, slipped in a key, and unlocked it. “Here are some clean clothes. I’ll send you with some feminine protection as well. You’ll bleed for a bit. There will be some clotting, too. Don’t be alarmed, it’s normal.”
The doctor placed a grey sweatshirt and jeans on the bed. “You’re in luck. I just happen to have your size.” She nodded at the garments before she returned to the drawers and cabinets. “Once you get changed, you’ll be all ready to go.”
“Go where exactly?” I searched her for any sign of genuine kindness. If she had a weak spot, maybe I could convince her to help me run ... but I came up empty-handed.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” She placed a light green and blue box next to my shirt. “I’ll see you again in a few days for a checkup. If you need more Maxi Pads, let me know when I see you.”
As far as I was concerned, this lady wasn’t even allowed to touch me again, but it wasn’t my choice any longer. Barrett and Reid had clearly explained that to me. Reid. Would I talk to him soon? He was probably worried sick since I hadn’t been in my cell the last three days.
“Okay.” I refused to tell this bitch thank you.
“See you soon.” She gave me a tight smile, then she left.
I scrambled to change clothes, then spotted my shoes in the corner of the room. Slipping them on, I walked around the small space for a minute. It felt good to stretch my legs.
When the door opened again, a tall, lanky, but muscular guard entered. “Ready?” He tugged on his brown beard.
“I guess so. I just have no idea where you’re taking me.” I didn’t expect him to answer, but I could still ask.
“Back to your cell.”
I had to stifle my excitement, which had nothing to do with the living conditions, but I could talk to Reid. Right now, I desperately needed a friend.
Twenty minutes later, I was locked in my cage again. I tossed the box of pads beneath my bed and sat down on the edge of the mattress while I waited for the sound of the guard’s footsteps to disappear.
“Reid?” I called softly.
Only silence responded.
I didn’t really anticipate he would answer because it was daytime, but I looked forward to our conversation later.
Since I’d slept and eaten the last few days, nervous energy hummed through me. My two-week countdown to training had already started, and fear bloomed to life in my chest.
Within days, I’d been stripped, assaulted, and now … I placed my hand on my lower abdomen where my baby should have been growing. Safe, warm, secure, and trusting that I would take care of him or her. A stifled wail escaped me, my body shaking uncontrollably as the emotional pain crushed my soul. I clutched the side of the bed as tight as I could, desperately needing something to ground me because I was floundering. A silent scream built in the pit of my stomach, and I suppressed it, allowing it to simmer since I needed the anger to fuel me, drive me, and keep me alive and sane.
I gasped for air, giving in to the emotions and berating myself for being so fucking stupid when I’d ditched Zayne. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault that I was here except mine. When my tears finally ran dry, I wiped my face and promised myself that I wouldn’t spend any more time-wasting energy on a pity party.
The clang of Reid’s cell opening and closing pulled me out of a deep sleep. Peeling my swollen eyelids open, I gathered my bearings and sat up. When the footsteps faded, I waited to see if I could hear anyone moving.
“Reid?”
“River? Oh, my God! You’re back. Where the hell have you been?” His words dripped with panic and worry.
I hurried to the bars and wrapped my fingers around the cool-to-the-touch iron.
“I’m here. Stretch your arm out.” I smooshed myself against the door and reached for him. We latched onto each other, and I smiled. For a few minutes, my broken world was okay.
“I was scared you were either gone or …” He squeezed my hand. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. I thought about you. Wondered how you were doing and wanted desperately to get word to you that … I wasn’t all right, but it’s over now.” I ground my molars together and swallowed my devastation. “I have a lot to tell you, but first, how are you doing? Have you seen Nadia?”
Reid’s thumb stroked the back of my hand. I wished like hell it was Holden. The second I thought it, guilt jabbed me in the side. I was grateful for Reid, but I wanted Holden so bad it was fucking gutting me.
“No, she hasn’t been here in a while. It happens.” His tone sounded sad and lost.
“I’d give you a hug if I could.”
“At least we can touch. The fact it has nothing to do with sex is nice,” Reid said. “Nothing really new to report, honestly. Same thing every day.”
“Where do you go when you leave here?” I’d only seen a section of the house and compound.
“This place is a lot bigger than it looks. There’s another big-ass house about a mile up the road where the clients can be entertained in luxury. That’s where I … work.”
“I didn’t realize there were more homes up the road.” A beat of silence hung in the air. “Reid, we have to get out of here. How close are you with the guard you … you’re with?”
“I don’t know how to answer that. He’s been visiting several times a week for a few years, I think. I’ve not really kept track.”
“Does he … is there a possibility he might be in love with you?” My pulse pounded with anticipation.
“He has said as much, but I don’t reply. I don’t feel the same. He’s only a means to an end, and I know how horrible that sounds, but it’s true.”
I readjusted my grip on him. “It’s survival, there’s no shame in that. But what if you did pretend to have feelings for him? Do you think he might help us escape? I mean, think about it. He knows the area and how to leave. What if he’s our ticket out of here? What if we can get free, Reid?”
I tried to imagine a puzzled expression on his face.
“It might work. I’ll try. Especially if it means you can have your baby safely.”
A few tears escaped, dripping down my cheeks, but I angrily swiped at them. I had to stay focused.
“I met the women who run everything. They drugged me and gave me an abortion without my consent.” My voice cracked with the confession. It was the first time I’d verbalized what had happened, and saying the truth out loud made it so real I could taste it on the tip of my tongue, which gutted me even deeper.
“What? Goddammit, I’ll find them, River, I swear I will. When I do …” Reid’s fingers threaded through mine. “Who’s behind it all? Tell me everything.”
I swallowed excessively, attempting to clear the lump in my throat. “My boyfriend’s aunt and grandmother.”
“What the actual fuck? Is that how you ended up here? Because you dated the wrong guy?” Reid dropped his hand.
“It’s not his fault.” I allowed my arm to relax and leaned my forehead against the fucking cage. “He has no idea they’re alive.”
“I’m not sure what to do with this. Two women?” His shoes smacked the concrete floor, and I assumed he was walking around his cell.
“Evil doesn’t even begin to explain what they are. Plus, they have an FBI agent working for them. Michelle befriends the kids, then lures them into this hell. She can’t be the only one working for them, either. From what you said, there are too many children here. The FBI would have busted her by now.”
“What’s an FBI agent?” Reid asked.
Shit, I’d forgotten he’d lived most of his life here. He wouldn’t know what that was unless he’d overheard it, or someone had told him. It wasn’t as though he lived a life of luxury.
“FBI stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation. They’re more powerful than a cop. A cop has more authority than a security guard.”
“That’s fucking disgusting! So Michelle pretends to be someone who protects people, then …”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I actually know her. We met and didn’t exactly get along because she wanted Holden. She’s the reason I’m here, but I had no idea it was a fucking family affair on Holden’s side.”
Reid remained silent, and I sat down and allowed him to have some space. It was a shit-ton to digest. Hell, I hadn’t even processed it yet.
“River, I’m in. What do I need to do with Anthony? That’s the guard’s name.”
My heart skidded to a stop, and I stopped breathing for a moment. “Before we talk about it, I have one concern. I mean I have a lot more than one, but … you mentioned that normally no one was in the cells here with you. Why do you think I’m here? I mean, now that you know my boyfriend is related to the sick fucks running this place, aren’t you curious if this is on purpose?”
“Yeah, it’s crossed my mind. I heard one of the clients discussing how many people they could choose from, and that they were running out of room to keep all of them. It sounds like the cells are filling up.”
My nostrils flared in disgust. “I guarantee you this isn’t the only location, though. They most likely have them all over the world.” I chewed my bottom lip. My vision blurred, and my stomach churned. “We have to get the kids help, Reid. Once we’re out of here, we’ll be able to hide and stay safe while we tell the authorities.”
“I like the sound of that. I’ll talk to Anthony when he shows up tonight.”
“Are you a good actor?” I hoped like hell he was because his ability to pretend would determine if we were freed or not.
“I’ve had years of roleplay experience.” Reid chuckled. “I know that’s not funny, but it’s true.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could undo all the awful things that you’ve lived through.” I chewed on my thumbnail, devising a plan. “I hate to ask you this, but do you think he would be open to spending time with you each night? I mean, tell him you’ve fallen in love with him, and you need to see him more—make love, feel his arms around you, kiss you.”
“Guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”
“Guess so. And Reid?”
“Yeah?”
“I have a week and a half until I start training. The clock is ticking.”
“Shit. Okay, I’ll turn on the charm. If it’s too much for you, plug your ears.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll be cheering you on, quietly.”
Chapter Eleven
I paced my cell with my hands on my hips, then ducked out of sight when I heard the door open. Minutes later, the guard left Reid locked up for the night like a wild animal. Our evenings were filled with planning and chatting before Anthony arrived to see Reid. From what I could tell, he’d easily fallen for Reid’s lies. Which was good because I was only two days away from training. I would have one more doctor appointment, then I would be released for duty. At least I’d been fed three meals a day, which allowed me to exercise after the first week and build my strength. If Anthony agreed to our plan, I would be running for my life by this time tomorrow.
So far, Anthony had proved helpful, and I honestly believed he loved Reid. Why he hadn’t tried to free him before, I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure Reid had realized he had some leverage in asking for help, either.
Reid had started digging for information, and Anthony quickly confided that there weren’t cameras on this building. One guard was on duty, but that was all. Apparently, Kassandra and Opal felt the compound was safe with the fence and guards. Personally, I thought they’d made a big mistake. They’d made another one when they’d abducted me and aborted my baby. They just didn’t know it yet.
“Are you nervous?” I asked while I reached through the bars for Reid. We’d fallen into a routine after he returned from work. We held hands for a few minutes, relishing in the fact that we had each other in this storm of insanity.
“Yeah. What if Anthony says no and reports me?” Reid’s voice trembled slightly.
I squeezed my eyes closed, unwilling to entertain the idea of what would happen if his conversation wasn’t what we hoped for. That’s what scared me the most. By the time this was over, I would end up even more damaged than when I met Holden. It would be easier to shove the pain and abuse down, bury it in a dark corner of my soul, and never revisit it. If Holden and I were reunited, I would have to fight the darkness, but even strong people had a breaking point.
If Anthony did agree, we wouldn’t know if he was for real until he showed up and snuck us past the fence. It was a gamble all the way around. I wouldn’t admit it to Reid because I didn’t want to freak him out any more than he already was, but I was fucking terrified. I couldn’t lose the only friend I had here.
“He won’t. I can’t hear everything he says, but it’s clear this man really loves you. I almost wish you loved him back.” I released a soft giggle, my nerves getting the best of me.
We remained silent for a minute, then Reid spoke. “Do you know what keeps me on track with the plan?”
“What?” I knew a lot of things propelled me forward and kept me focused. Holden, Brynn, Jace, Chance, and Reid. Not to mention all the kids we would be setting free from a cruel and abusive life.
“I’ll be able to see your face and hug you.”
My heart beat frantically behind my rib cage. “You, too.” I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Reid, when we’re out of here, you’ll stay with Holden and me. We have plenty of bedrooms and we’ll move you in. I don’t want you to be worried about a place to live or a job. The adjustment to living in the world and not … in captivity is going to be hard enough. I’ve got your back … always.”
Nervous silence stretched between us. I scrambled to fill the gap. “If you want, I mean.”
“River.” Reid’s voice was deep and husky. Apparently, I’d upset him. “It never occurred to me that, for the first time in my twenty-three years, I would have to find a place to live. I don’t have any skills to work … I …”
Dammit. I’d spooked him. “Do you want the chance to see what a good life is about?” My tone was soft and gentle. I couldn’t even begin to wrap my head around what this change looked like for him. I would return to Holden and my friends. Reid had nothing—no one. At least he had me, but I needed him, too. He was the only person on this earth that understood what the compound was all about.
“Yeah. I do. I just never figured freedom would look so scary. Shit, I haven’t ever entertained the idea that I would leave here unless I was dead.”
I slapped my free hand over my mouth, stifling my cry. “That’s changing now.”
“Thank you,” Reid whispered. “I need a few minutes to think about what I’m going to say to Anthony tonight. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is.” I desperately wished there was something else I could do for Reid, but our future lay in his and Anthony’s hands.
It wasn’t much longer before Anthony arrived. Forcing myself to breathe, I blew out a quiet sigh. Anxiety pulled and twisted my insides into a million knots. I closed my eyes and imagined I was with Holden when Anthony and Reid got busy. Hearing them didn’t bother me anymore, but I tried to pretend they had some privacy.
A while later, the moans of pleasure settled into a soft hush of whispers. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t pace my cell. I didn’t want to break Reid’s train of thought.
“We can run away together,” Reid said softly.
Come on, Anthony. Say yes. Please.
I struggled to hear more of their conversation, only catching words here and there. I couldn’t tell if Anthony was on board or not. Most nights, I didn’t care how long Anthony stayed, as long as Reid was content. But not knowing what was going on was fucking torture. I reminded myself that if Anthony didn’t agree or backed out, torture would have an entirely new meaning for me in two days. Raped, beaten, forced to have sex with men and women. I swallowed over the panic.
Finally, Reid’s cell opened and closed, then footsteps and the click of the door. It was amazing how I’d learned to listen to what was going on around me when I couldn’t see.
“River?”
I hurried to the bars. “I’m shaking, I’m so nervous.”
“Give me your hand, River.”
I extended my arm until our fingers connected. “What happened? Are you all right?”
“I told him if he helped us that I would run away with him. We could start a life together free from this place.”
An invisible band squeezed tighter and tighter around my chest. “Were you being honest with him, or telling him what you needed to?” My voice squeaked. “Reid, did he say yes or no? I need to know that first. Please.”
“He said yes. Anthony will help us, and we’ll leave tomorrow night. It will give him time to put together a plan on his end.”
I sank to my knees, Reid slipping away from me. Placing my palms against the cold concrete floor, I struggled to filter through the onslaught of emotions. Fear, gratitude, hope, then reality bitch-slapped me in the face.
