Page 30 of Vicious Deception
“I know, but—”
“I’m being careful,” he whispers. “Axel got me in contact with Finn and Wren, so we’ll have help from the outside.”
The tension in my muscles eases. “You talked to Wren? How is she?”
“All right. We’re meeting with Finn tomorrow, and I had a lot of trouble convincing her to stay behind. Not sure I managed, honestly.”
“You don’t want to see her?”
“I don’t want her to get hurt.” Elliot runs a hand over my hair, unable to stop touching me. “It killed me to tell her to stay away, but I had to. I don’t want her locked up like this—or worse.”
I nod in agreement. “Did she ask about me?”
“She did.” He caresses my face, and I lean into his touch, my hands resting on his hips. “I told her you’re okay.”
“Tell me more about your plan with Axel.”
Elliot shakes his head. “We shouldn’t talk that much. Besides, you need to sleep.” Gently, he leads me over to my mattress.
Since he held me while I fell asleep a few days ago, I’ve craved it every night. His warmth, his soothing touches,him.So this time, I don’t protest as we situate ourselves on the mattress. Elliot’s arms come around me, my back to his chest, and I focus on the feeling of his skin against mine.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs in my ear.
“You won’t fall asleep?” I ask.
“I won’t.”
His body is more relaxed than it was last time—probably because he’s found a way to save us. I melt into him and stroke my thumb up and down his arm. As he holds me, my anxiety fades, at least for the moment. And for the first night since the last time he was in here, I sleep peacefully.
. . .
In the morning, I’m woken by the sound of my bedroom door opening. Something heavy and warm is draped over my body, and I’m sweatier than I normally am.
“Hey,” the guard shouts. “They’re both in here.”
Elliot jerks upright, and he immediately shoves me behind him.
He fell asleep,I realize, before a second, much more terrifying thought hits me.
We’re dead.
“How’d you get in here?” one of the men shouts.
“The window, obviously,” another one snaps.
Despite Elliot trying to shield me, the men grab us both and drag us apart.
“What should we do?” the third man asks. “Punish them somehow?”
“I think that’s up to the boss.”
“No,” Elliot blurts. “Oliver didn’t do anything wrong. It was me—just me. Leave him alone.”
They ignore his pleas and shove us into the hallway. Elliot looks over his shoulder, his gaze clashing with mine in an apologetic stare.
“I’m sorry,” he says, right before one of the guards hits him over the head.
“Shut up and walk,” he snaps.