Page 32 of Cruel Master

I feel like I understand him better now, and I hate the pang I feel at the thought of how fucked up he is and how he's fucking me up too because despite everything—despite how mad I am at him—something about him tugs at my heart.

The thought that this man is so rich and powerful, yet he had to beg his mother for love and he's so scarred by it that he would go to such lengths to steal me because he thinks I couldn't love him on my own fills my heart with sadness for him. And what's crazy is I have to admit that if he approached me like a sane, normal person, I would have been flattered at his attention.

Gabriel went about everything all wrong, but I could have easily fallen in love with Gabriel if circumstances had been different—if he’d done things differently.

I wrack my brain for a plan. I have to find out a way to escape him, but then I feel a pang at the thought of never seeing him again, never feeling his hands on my body.

Panic grips my chest when it suddenly hits me like a ton of bricks.

It doesn't matter what Gabriel has done to me. I'm starting to get feelings for him.

How could I start to have feelings for a monster like him after what he did? After how he took my choice away? After how he basically branded me with an unwanted tattoo?

I know it's insane, and it's probably the stupidest thing to do, but I know where he keeps his keys now. He doesn't even try to lock them up because he's become so complacent in the knowledge that I'll never leave.

My body pumping with adrenaline and my heart racing in my chest, I quickly grab Gabriel’s car keys and run out to his car. Maybe he'll find me in no time, but I have to try. I have to try to get away because if I don't, I'm going to completely lose myself to him.

I slam my foot down on the gas, and the car lurches forward. I'm driving faster than I've ever driven in my entire life. I don't have a clue where I'm at, but I know I have to drive a long time before I even find a gas station.

I pull into the station and jump out of the car. I leave the keys in the ignition and rush inside. I run up to the first man I see and ask him for a ride to the nearest town. He looks startled but nods his head. “Sure, sugar. Wherever you need to go.”

I realize this is probably really dangerous. This guy could be even worse than Gabriel, but thankfully, the man seems to be a good Samaritan type. He lets me get in his truck and tries to make small talk as he drives us into town.

I don’t want to be rude since he’s giving me a ride, but I'm evasive with my answers. I don't want to tell him my name or anything about me for in case Gabriel finds him and tries to question him. I can’t help but shudder as I remember the way Gabriel shot a man just because I smiled at him. What would he do to someone who helped me get away from him?

I feel sick just thinking about it.

As much as I just want to go home to Gia, I don’t because I know that's the first place Gabriel will look for me. Instead, I have the man drop me off at a crummy-looking hotel.

I don't have any money, and I hesitate as I realize I don't know how I'm going to get a room. I didn’t think enough before I bolted from Gabriel’s mansion.

The guy must sense that because he gives me a kind smile before he hands me a hundred dollar bill.

My eyes widen. “You don't have to do that, Sir.”

He holds his hand out and insists, “It's okay, sweetheart. Take it. I have a daughter about your age, and I would just hope that if she's ever in trouble, someone will help her.”

Tears prick the back of my eyes at his perception and generosity.

“Are you sure there's nothing else I can do for you?” he asks gently. “Do you need me to call the law?”

I bite my lip and look down as I shake my head. I've put this poor man in enough danger, and guilt assaults me. “No, thank you.” I don’t bother telling him calling the police wouldn’t do any good. Hell, it would probably make it so Gabriel could find me even faster.

With another thank you from me and one last worried glance from the good Samaritan, I hop out of the truck and check into a room.

No sooner do I get inside the room do I start to tremble. My legs fail me, and I collapse onto the bed as I contemplate the magnanimity of what I've done.

Could this possibly work? It looks like I've actually gotten away from Gabriel. It's been hours, and he still hasn't found me. I chew on my lip as I finally dare myself to hope.

I studiously ignore the pang I feel when I imagine any hurt he might feel when he finds out I’m gone.

I think instead of his volatile temperament and how he’s so insane he shot someone in the leg over nothing.

Not to mention the way he murdered a man right in front of me the first day I ever met him.

I start to relax as my mind starts making plans of what I'm going to do. As much as I want to see my sister, I can't go anywhere near her because I'm going to have to live in secrecy to stay off the radar.

Maybe I can get a job under the table. Maybe I can hitchhike to another state. There has to be something I can do to keep Gabriel from finding me.

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