Hidden Away (KGI #3)(75)

Sarah found herself shoved once more into the dark room and the door shut behind her. She stumbled back over to the wall and this time, she lay on the mattress and curled into a tight ball. Something inside her had broken at the sight of Garrett. Nausea rose in her stomach and she scrambled to the corner as she heaved and gagged. There was nothing to come up, but her stomach still revolted. Dry heaves racked her body and she took in deep breaths, but the cloying smell of urine and sweat only made her sicker.

When she was finally able to gain control and stop the horrible twisting in her gut, she crawled back to the pallet and collapsed, weak and shaky—ashamed.

She had to get it together before they returned with Garrett—if they returned. These weren’t men of honor. How was she to know they wouldn’t kill him after he gave them what they wanted?

No, she wouldn’t think of that. She couldn’t. Garrett had promised her, and she believed him.

She lay there, eyes closed, sucking deep breaths and trying to ignore the horrible knot in her stomach. This time she didn’t hear their approach. The sudden opening of the door startled her and she rose up on one elbow, shielding her eyes with the other. Garrett stumbled forward as he was shoved into the room, but this time he didn’t go down. He stood defiantly until the door shut behind him and then he scanned the room. Looking for her.

He walked slowly toward her and then sank to his knees in front of the pallet where she lay. She opened her arms and swallowed back the sob. He gathered her close and, with a groan, lowered them both back to the pallet.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured over and over. “I’d hoped they wouldn’t touch you, that you wouldn’t be scared. I know you must have been terrified, but I’m so damn proud of you.”

She pulled away and ran her hands over his face, wiping at the blood, uncaring that it stained her hands and clothes.

“It wasn’t bad,” he said quickly. “They figured out they weren’t going to get anywhere with force. That’s why they pulled you in. I should have done a better acting job. I could have pretended to be beaten down more. They would have left you alone then. Maybe.”

The words tumbled out and she put a finger over his lips to silence him. He was apologizing. God. She replaced her finger with her lips and kissed him tenderly, peppering tiny little kisses over his bruised and battered mouth.

For a long while they lay in silence, tangled together, exchanging the occasional kiss.

“What now, that you’ve told them what they wanted to know?” she asked softly.

“I didn’t tell them shit. I was just trying to buy us some time before. Time for my team to get here. I gave in now because by the time they figure out it was a bunch of nonsense, we should be out of here.”

He sounded so sure that it elevated her flagging confidence.

“You need rest,” she said. “For when your team gets here so you can help kick butt.”

He chuckled. “Bet your ass.”

“Garrett?”

“Yes, baby.”

“Are you really okay? I mean, you don’t need to tell me you are just to make it seem not so bad. I want to know.”

He made a disgruntled sound. “I’ve been better. But I’ve been worse. I’ll be fine.”

“Tough guy,” she chided.

“Bet your ass,” he said again.

“Know what I want when we get out of here?”

“Me? Naked?”

She blushed and buried her head in his shoulder. “Besides that.”

He laughed. “Okay, I give up.”

“One of your three-course meat dinners. I’m thinking chicken, pork and steak will do nicely.”

“Hell yeah,” he breathed. “With ketchup.”

“French fries,” she said dreamily.

“And chocolate cake.”

“Something caramel.”

“You like caramel?” he asked.

“Oh yeah. My favorite. Anything caramel.”

“Oh boy,” he muttered. “I have a confession to make.”

She lifted her head in curiosity.

“That time on the island when I brought you a chocolate bar?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I sort of had a chocolate and caramel bar in my stash too but I offered you the chocolate because caramel is my favorite.”

“I should be pissed over that. Caramel hoarding is a sin.”

“Yes, you should be,” he agreed. “I’ll make it up to you though. I make some of the best caramel num nums ever. It’s the only thing besides meat that I can cook.”

“Num nums?”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know what the real name of it is. It’s graham cracker crumbs with caramel poured over with a thin layer of chocolate on top. They’re so damn good all you can say when eating them is num num num.”

Her shoulders shook as she laughed and she squeezed him. He winced and she backed off, an apology on her lips. He put his finger over her mouth. “No, don’t say it. I like you touching me. I’m okay. Really.”

“I want those caramel num nums,” she whispered.

He leaned in to kiss her again. “You’ll get them.”

CHAPTER 28

SARAH came awake to the sounds of footsteps—heavy, hurried footsteps—outside the door. But what alarmed her more than the potential threat was the fact that Garrett didn’t rouse from sleep. He was extremely alert and quick to pick up on any noises, but he lay still. She put her hand down to rouse him and wondered if he was unconscious and then she yanked her hand back just as the door burst open.