Page 18 of Deadly Sweet

Chapter 5

Savannah

When we reach the topof the stairs, Lucy says goodnight and lets me know she can't wait to get to know me in the morning.

I’m excited because I have real people to talk to now, not just the voices in my head for once.

Shocked isn’t really the word I’d use to describe what I’m feeling. Maybe something closer to denial?

Like, I refuse to believe any of this is real.Ha, knowing me and my life, I bet this is all some drug-induced dream triggered by one of the guards knocking me out.

Next time I open my eyes, I'll be lying in my bed, still trapped between the smothering four walls.

“Lucy’s and my room is on the third floor. Most of the other guests are on the fourth. But I thought you might feel more comfortable on the first floor.”

“Why's that?” I ask as we walk down the hall. The walls are white with pretty paintings on them, and the floors are marble, like the main floor. It’s lined with doors that have gold-plated numbers on them.

Duchess’ heels click against the floor with every step. I frown down at my soggy sneakers and grimace.I can’t wait to get out of these.I hope they have something I can change into.

“Because you’ve just spent five years locked up in a tiny room with only the four walls to talk to.”

“And the voices in my head,” I point out with a grin. She smiles back.

“Those, too.” She laughs. “I don’t want you to feel trapped. With being on the first floor, you’ll have lots of room. There’s no cramped stairwells, no elevators, just the stairs we came up on, free to leave whenever.”

“Huh,” I murmur. “I never thought of the possibility that I would feel like that. Of feeling trapped.” I shrug. “But thank you. It means a lot that you put that much thought into this.”

“It’s not my first rodeo. There have been Omegas in the past who’ve felt that way. So, I thought I’d offer.”

We stop in front of a door with the number twelve on it. “This is your room.” She holds out a key. “Here is your key. No one will be able to get into your room without that key. Including me.”

Staring down at the cool little piece of metal in my hand, my throat thickens, and my eyes sting.Why am I feeling such a strong wave of emotion?

It’s heavy against my palm, feeling like the weight of the world. Does she know how much this means to me? To be in charge of my own freedom. To know that once I go into that room, I’m not going to be trapped; that when the door locks, it’s from the inside, not the outside.

Not only can I keep myself in, I can keep other people out.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I–it’s—”

“A lot to take in, huh?” she asks, giving me a soft smile. “I know. It’s going to take time for you to believe in everything you see around you. But I promise you it’s real. You’re out of there, Savvy. You’re free.”

“Free,” I croak, looking back down at the key before closing my eyes. I don’t want to cry. It makes my head hurt, my eyes puffy, and my nose run.

“Go on,” she says, walking towards the door. “Unlock it and see for yourself.”

Taking in a shaky breath, I slip the key into the keyhole and turn. There’s a click, and then I grab the handle, twisting it. Pushing the door open, I gasp.

“I hope it’s to your liking,” Duchess comments, stepping in behind me to move towards the center of the room. “There’s no kitchen in here, but there is a mini fridge. It’s stocked with snacks and bottled water. But if there's ever anything you’d like to eat, the kitchen is open to everyone at all times. Meals have been prepared and stored in the fridge for you to grab at any time. There is a chef who makes breakfast, lunch, and supper every day.”

She continues to talk, and I do listen, I’m just unable to stop gaping at the room.

“There’s a bathroom through here. It’s got a separate shower and tub. There’s toiletries under the sink—everything you might need, plus fresh towels and washcloths,” she informs, pointing towards a door. “In the dresser, there are some clothes. But we can do some online shopping for something that’s more your style if you like. Lucy and some of the other girls pick things out for any potential Omegas. We keep the rooms stocked at all times.”

She’s kidding, right? Like I’d complain about anything that I wear, apart from the god awful, ugly white dressing gown I’ve been sleeping in for years. It’s all I ever got to fucking wear. And when it wore out, they would just swap it with the same damn fucking thing.

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