Page 15 of Deadly Sweet

My door opens, and I look up to see Cobra. “Heeeey.” I grin up at him as he stares down at me. Well, at least I think he is, not too sure with those sunglasses on. “How’s Pleakley and Jumba? Are they here too?” I ask, looking behind him.

“She’s a real comedian, this one,” he mutters.

“Things are about to get a lot more interesting around here,” Duchess says with amusement.

I turn back to her. “You mean the killing isn’t exciting enough?” I ask, grinning.

“Oh, it is.” She smirks. “But we leave that outside these walls.” She nods towards the building. “This is our safe place. You won’t have to worry about anyone here hurting you. It might not look like it, but this place is like Fort Knox.”

“What's that?” I frown.

“Never mind.” We get out of the car, and I follow after them. It’s not raining anymore, but the storm left behind an interesting smell. “What's that smell?” I ask.

Duchess looks back, and her smile is soft again. “Wet pavement after a rainstorm.”

I take a deep breath and let my eyes close. “I like it,” I whisper, a warm feeling settling over me. “It feels clean.” I open my eyes again. “Fair warning, I don’t remember anything of my life before I was taken by Corbin. All I know is what I’ve learned in the movies I was allowed to watch.”

This time, anger morphs her pretty face into something fierce. “Did he do that? Take your memories away?”

“I have no idea.” I shrug, moving to join her. “He could have drugged me and done something to me. He’s done it before... for other things.” Her body stiffens. “It’s okay.” I smile. “It’s life.”

I can tell she wants to say something, but she doesn’t.

“I watched a movie once where the girl lost her memory due to trauma. I’d assume what I’ve lived through could be considered that, right?”

“Yeah.” Duchess looks up at Cobra before looking at me. “I’d say you have a fuck-ton of it.”

“Oh, goodie.” I laugh. “Can’t wait to dive into that mess.”

Duchess snorts a laugh. “Welcome to the club.”

“Club?” My eyes light up. “I’ve always wanted to be in a club. Can we have matching T-shirts? Oh, oh, or a secret handshake?”

Her eyes widen, lips kicking up into a surprised smile before shaking her head. “You know what? Yeah, I think we could make that work.”

“Nice.” I smile.

Cobra opens a door, gesturing for us to go inside.

I follow Duchess into the building; it’s dark with only a blinking light above us to light our path.

The sounds of the heavy door closing followed by a lock clicking has another wave of nervousness running through me. Maybe I’m being way too trusting of these people.

“If you ever want to leave, you're welcome to,” Duchess says as we walk down the hall. “But I highly suggest not going anywhere for a while. Just in case Corbin and his men are around. I’d also like you to learn some self-defense. When you do leave, changing your appearance would be a good idea.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “I think you would pull off platinum blonde really well.” Knowing I could leave if I wanted to, settled the unease from a moment before.

Corbin loved my long chestnut hair. It was something he focused on every time he came to see me. I hate my hair.

Bleaching my hair sounds like the best fucking idea ever.

“I think so, too.” I grin.

She chuckles, turning back around and stopping at the door at the end of the hall. “You're not a prisoner here, Savannah. I want you to know that.”

“Savvy,” I tell her. “Call me Savvy.”

She smiles. “Welcome to Salvation, Savvy. Your new home.”

She opens the door, and the moment we step in, my jaw hits the floor.

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