Predator - A Stand Alone Suspense Romance(14)

When he finally stops in front of a house, I can’t see much of it in the dark. I can make out that it’s big and old, but that’s it.

I follow Damian to the front door, but I make sure to keep a safe distance. He unlocks the door and then he disappears inside. I see a light go on somewhere inside and then I take a step closer. I peek inside and can only see a glimpse of what looks like a living room, a set of stairs going up and a small passage to the right.

I glance over my shoulder and peer into the darkness.

Can I trust this man not to hurt me? Should I rather make a run for it?

For a moment the urge to run is overwhelming, and I panic. I turn away from the front door and move as quick as I can. I race down the porch steps and almost miss the last one.

That’s about as far I make it. The quick movements and panic depletes my energy like starving leeches. I grab hold of the railing and take a few deep breaths, and then a hopeless sound escapes over my lips. I have no choice but to stay. I’m in too much pain to be on the run.

I glance back at the open door and I’m shocked when I see Damian leaning against the wall right at the foot of the stairs. His eyes are on me, as if he’s patiently waiting for me to decide whether I’m staying or running.

My shoulders slump wearily and I take the stairs slowly back up to the porch. I suck in another deep breath and then step into the house where I’ll either be able to lick my wounds, or where I’ll be killed.

My heart starts to race at the thought and I keep my face down. I’m so fucking tired. My chin starts to tremble with tears as the hopeless feeling suffocates me.

“Let me show you around and then you can go sleep,” Damian whispers.

The living room is large. The kitchen looks normal, and then we head upstairs. He’s patient as I take one stair at a time. Sweat beads on my forehead and my body starts to tremble from all the effort it’s taking to just stay on my feet. When I reach the top of the stairs my head starts to spin and I feel nauseous. I want to sleep and never wake up.

There are three bedrooms. Two have beds in them, nothing else. I don’t get to see the third room so I guess it’s his. There are also stairs leading up to an attic. He grumbles something about staying out of the attic.

There’s a full bathroom upstairs and a toilet downstairs. We share the bathroom. The house has an old and empty feel about it, but I couldn’t care less.

I use the last of my energy to walk to the bed and I sit down heavily. I could cry with relief.

“Cara.” I look at the faded blue bedspread. It reminds me of water. “Cara!” Damian says louder. I flinch at the volume of his voice and look up at him.

“Sorry,” I try to smile, but my lips feel weird.

He looks at the bed and then at me. “There are other covers in the closet down the hall. Change it if you don’t like these. There are some clothes in that cupboard,” he points to the one taking up most of the wall right behind me, “they might be a bit big. You lost weight. We’ll fix that.” He turns around but stops. “I have a question.” He waits, as if he’s waiting for my permission.

“Yeah?” I fold my hands together on my lap and interlace my fingers tightly.

I wish he’d leave so I can sleep. I swallow hard on the desperate tears that are making my throat ache.

“You’ve been hiding for seven years.” It’s not a question. I don’t understand where he’s going with this. “So, I’m a bit confused.” He frowns. “I’m confused about a lot of the things you did to get yourself into this mess.” I’m still waiting for the question with a heart that’s picking up speed real fast. “They found you in the middle of nowhere.” My breath hitches and I hear the accusation. I hear the same accusation from him that’s been taunting me in my own conscience. “Either you forgot that there were people after you and you got too comfortable, or you practically handed yourself over. Which is it?” There’s the question. Something bubbles up inside of me ... something horrible and desperate.

“You bastard!” I hiss at him and the tears I’ve been fighting threaten to spill over my flaming cheeks. “You know …” My voice disappears as anger chokes me but I squeeze the word out, “nothing.”

He lifts an eyebrow and it makes him look even more menacing. “I know every detail about you. I know every … single … thing,” he bites out the words.

I shake my head as an overwhelming feeling of humiliation threatens to suffocate me.

What the hell have I gotten myself into? I can’t stay here. But … shit, it’s either the death sentence hanging over my head – or this man’s mercy. I don’t know which is worse right now.

“I didn’t …” I gasp and grind my teeth together as the tears press harder against the back of my eyelids. “I didn’t know,” I force the words out.

A smile tugs at his lips and I almost choke on the anger that’s burning a hole in my chest. I’m disappointed in myself. I let him get to me.

“I didn’t know … what?” he repeats my words and tears of hot anger scorch down my cheeks, finally breaking through my barriers.

“I didn’t know who was after me!” I scream at him.

“I didn’t know you could get angry but it’s good to know,” he says and I want to scream. I want to grab something and throw it at him. I want to hit him until he hurts the way I’m hurting. But I just stare as he leaves in his quiet manner. He leaves me with my anger and I realize that was the point of it all – he wants me to feel something … anything. If only he knew that with feeling comes unspeakable pain.