Page 7 of Fire in My Blood

She turns back to me. “Beef stew. I made it myself.” She looks hopeful, like she wants this to mean something to me.

I inwardly wince. I don’t want to disappoint her, but I can’t eat her food. No matter how much I want to ignore it, human food doesn’t agree with me.

So I make up a lie. It sours my gut, but it’s better than hurting her feelings. “I’m sorry, but I can’t eat your food. I have allergies. But I would love some water.”

The light dims in her eyes, but she pastes a fake smile on her face. “Okay.”

She takes a step toward me before she comes to an abrupt stop. Her eyes move to the chains restraining me before they come back to mine. “Um, how far can you reach?”

She bites her bottom lip, and I can’t decide if she’s scared or embarrassed or a bit of both. But I approve of her caution.

Instead of answering, I move forward and stretch my arms toward her as far as the chains will allow.

Panic blows her eyes wide, and she quickly steps backward. She doesn’t stop until the back of her legs hits the table by the opposite wall.

Inwardly cursing my own stupidity, I stay completely still to let her calm down and realize that I’ve moved as close to her as I possibly can.

Chapter 5

Erica

Breathe, damn it, just breathe.

Fear is pounding through me, even though the rational part of my brain knows he can’t reach me. The chains are already stretched taut between his wrists and the wall.

I give myself a little more time to calm my racing heart before I grip the bottom of the water bottle and stretch my arm out in front of me as far as I can. With small steps, I shuffle toward him until he can just reach the top of the bottle.

He grips it greedily, puts it to his lips, and gulps down the entire contents before lowering the bottle.

“Thanks, I appreciate you coming here to help me.” With a smile, he reaches out and hands me the empty bottle. “I haven’t been given much to drink since they brought me here.”

“I’ll bring you more water tomorrow.” I can’t hide my shock at how horribly they’re treating him, and I wish I had a valid excuse to bring him water more than once a day.

I haven’t interacted with a lot of people since I started this job three years ago, but I’ve always had the impression they’re decent people. How can they approve of something like this? If I ever find out David is a part of this, I don’t think I’ll ever look at him the same again.

Swallowing hard, I push down the anger that’s threatening to force its way out and make me do something stupid, like call my brother and demand he put a stop to this.

Instead, I let my eyes drop to the man’s hard wide chest. He needs food to sustain that magnificent body. “I can bring you some food as well if you tell me what you’re allergic to.” I lift my gaze back up to his. “I’ll make sure to be careful.”

His smile widens, and his beautiful blue eyes have a warm glow. The sight is enough to light a spark of heat in my lower belly. “That’s kind of you, but my diet is very particular. Water is all I need.”

I frown. “But you have to eat something. I’ll be really careful when preparing your food, I promise.”

He shakes his head slowly. “I really appreciate it, but I have to say no. I can go many days without food.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. He’s being stubborn. But perhaps he’ll come around by tomorrow. Which reminds me… I glance at my watch. Thankfully, it’s about the time I usually finish in the basement.

“Do you have to leave?”

I raise my gaze to find him staring at me with a sad look in his eyes. His expression immediately reverts to the wide smile he gave me before, but this time it looks forced like his careful control is slipping.

“I do.” The smile I give him is filled with as much warmth as I can muster. Even if he doesn’t let the strain of his situation show, he must be feeling it.

I move over to the door before I look back at him. “I’m sorry, but I have to turn off the light again.”

His small nod is the last thing I see before I click off the light and leave.

All the way home, I keep assessing and reassessing my interaction with the prisoner.

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