Page 83 of Craving Her Vampire

“Daisy, why not lead with that?” Sally says, stomping her foot. She cringes and looks down at whatever substance is under her toes. I don’t respond as I walk to the dark part of the basement.

A man is huddled in the corner. His knees are pulled to his chest, and his face is tucked to them. It’s him.

I slowly crouch, making sure to stay out of reach. I don’t know how he is going to respond. I’m afraid he won’t know who I am and attack. I would if I had been subjected to the kind of treatment he has. He isn’t wearing a shirt, and I see the bruises and scrapes across his shoulders. His jeans are thin and worn; his feet are bare. Without the ability to shift, he can’t heal like he needs.

“Liam?” I whisper. “Liam, it’s Daisy.” He shows no reaction, and my stomach cramps. “I’m here to rescue you.” Nothing. “Pay no attention to the naked rabbit. She is my backup, and you will love her once you get to know her. My mate is coming. He’s a vampire, and he won’t let anyone hurt you again. I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” I ramble, hoping something gets through. “I’ve missed you. I looked everywhere for you. I never gave up, Liam. Liam, I swear. I thought of you every day and wished to be with you again. I love you.” I gulp. “I love you. We will fix whatever Carter did. I’ll kill him for doing this to you.” I brush away my tears. “Liam,” I sob.

Sally silently lends her support, putting her hand on my head.

“Daisy,” Liam says quietly and lifts his head.

“Liam,” I cry. “You know who I am?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He licks his lips. “You always rambled when you were younger. I liked it because it felt like home, but now my ears hurt.”

“Holy fuck, Liam.” I crawl forward. “It’s okay. I’ll whisper,” I say, lowering my voice. My knees land in front of his feet, and I lift my hands but stop, not wanting to hurt him. “I’m so fucking sorry,” I whimper.

“Why are you sorry? Did you chain me to the wall? You were the one who protected me.” His hand lands weakly on my knee.

“Not well enough,” I say bitterly.

“I missed you, sister,” he says, and I can barely breathe past the lump in my throat.

“Micah is here,” Sally says softly, and I tilt my head. Screams echo through the walls.

“I have keys,” I say, digging in my pocket. “Let me see if one of them works on the cuffs.” I drop them twice, my hands shaking so badly.

“Try hers first,” Liam says, nodding across from him.

“We’ll get everyone out, but I’ll do yours first,” I protest.

“Daisy,” he says, cupping my hand. “It’s our mom.”

“What?” I ask weakly, dropping to my ass.

“You took the brunt of the abuse at the pack house. She took it here.”

“What?” I repeat, twisting. I meet the eyes of the woman I saw Turner beating when I was seven. “I don’t—” Dots appear in the air. I crawl across the floor, unable to stand. “Mom?” I raise a shaky hand, barely grazing her hand, unbelieving she’s real.

“Daisy,” she whispers brokenly, tears falling down her sunken cheeks.

“It’s you,” I sob as I watch her hand connect with mine.

“Yes,” she breathes. “You’re okay.” Her familiar scent found a lost place within me.

“You—” My head fills with fog. “I should be asking you that,” I rasp.

“I am now,” she answers. “You rescued us.” I scoot closer, and our knees bump.

“It was you. I saw you, but I didn’t know.” I shake my head frantically. “I should have known.”

“Don’t,” she whispers fiercely. “You were a child.” She pulls me into her body with such strength, despite her slim body. “You turned into a beautiful woman.”

“How? I’m so confused.” My voice echoes oddly through my head.

“We have time, Daisy,” she says, and I slide from her arms to the floor. “Daisy?” She leans over me, and her chain rattles, adding to my past rushing into my present.

“Fuck, Daisy,” Sally says.

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