Part 21 (2/2)

”You know something, you're not ugly.”

I swallowed. ”Ah, nice of you to say.”

”You're definitely not the best looking girl I've had but you know beggars can't be choosers.”

He moved closer, which made me take another step back, except if I kept retreating, I'd be up against the wall. Just where he'd want me.

”What do you think you're doing?” I tried to put force in my voice so I didn't sound as scared as I was. Not sure that it worked because his grin broadened.

”What does it look like, sugar pop? Getting my dessert.”

I put my hand out to stop him from advancing any further. I knew it wouldn't really stop him. He'd take what he wanted. Just like he had in the first place.

I couldn't stop the shudder this time as it racked my entire body. Oh G.o.d, I was going to be sick.

He reached for me. But before he could touch my face, there was a loud knock at the door. At first, I didn't think he was going to answer it, but the knocks became louder and more insistent.

”Hold that look of terror. I'll be right back.”

I let out my breath as he walked out of the sleeping area to answer the door. ”What the f.u.c.k do you want?”

I heard Trevor's voice answering him. I smiled. He saved me.

The second Thane was out of my view, I unzipped the green duffle and reached in for the box. After taking it out, I used Trevor's cell phone to take several pictures of the designs and symbols etched into the polished wood. I tried to pry it open but it was locked. I took a picture of the lock as well. Once I was done, I put the box back and zipped up the bag, my hands shaking the entire time. I hoped the pictures turned out all right.

Taking in a few cleansing breaths, I crossed the room to the door. I saw Trevor framed in the doorway, his face an angry mask, arguing with Thane. I knew the second he spotted me because his face softened, his eyes lit up.

”Well, I think I'll be leaving now.” I brushed past Thane but he grabbed my arm before I could get into the hall.

”I'll say when you can leave,” he snarled, his eyes going jet black.

I swallowed hard and glanced at Trevor.

”Look, Thane, we need to get down to the club so we can set up the sound system for your gig,” Trevor offered. ”You can always torment her later.”

Thane didn't look convinced but he let go of my arm. ”Whatever the two of you are planning, it's not going to work.” He shrugged. ”Just thought I'd let you know that.”

I stepped out into the hall next to Trevor. As soon as I was clear of the door, Thane slammed it shut.

We didn't say anything until we were safely inside our room. I collapsed onto the sofa, my hands still shaking.

”Are you okay?”

”Yes,” I breathed out. ”Thanks to you.”

”I came early. I couldn't sit here any longer thinking about you in that room with him.”

I smiled. ”Thank G.o.d, you did.”

He sat beside me, and ran a hand over my head. I liked the contact. It was comforting and seemed completely natural and normal. I leaned against him. He dropped his arm to around my shoulder, pulling me tight into his chest.

”Did you find anything?”

I took out his cell phone and scrolled through the images I'd captured. ”Recognize any of these?”

”No, but I'm not exactly the scholarly type.” He smirked. ”They look old though.”

I flipped through them again. ”Some of these look Celtic to me. Lots of loops and knots.”

”Did you get a look inside the box?”

”No. It was locked.”

”Then it must be important.”

”I guess.”

Trevor lifted my chin with a finger. ”We'll figure this out. We'll do some research online. Find out what those markings mean.”

”And what if they don't mean anything?”

”Then we'll find another way.”

I snuggled into him, draping my arm over his chest. Closing my eyes, I drank him in. I could've just stayed like that for an eternity. He was warm and comforting and smelled like chocolate. What more could a girl ask for?

”We could just run away together. They wouldn't bother looking for us. We could disappear in L.A or New York. We could sneak across the border and live in Toronto or Montreal. They would never expect to find us in Canada.”

He squeezed my shoulder and pressed his lips to the top of my head. ”Could you really leave, knowing Thane will do this again and again to girl after girl? None of them would be as lucky as you and survive.”

I didn't want to hear it but he was right. Right that Thane would continue sucking the life out of random girls and right that I couldn't leave knowing it.

”Where's your laptop?” I sat up. ”I'll start looking up those symbols.”

Chapter 26.

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