Page 4 of Thorns Laced In Blood

“We will start your tour from upstairs,” I said as I gently tugged on her hand until she began to move her feet.

I grabbed her bag and guided her up the stairs until I reached my bedroom. Her motor skills would need to improve, but the daily walks would help with that. I had every intention of caring for her until she was a healthy young woman.

“This is our room,” I said as I pulled her behind me. “And this is your bed.”

Her head remained downwards, but I was sure she could see her futon at the foot of my bed. I dropped her hand to put her bag on the floor. I’d made space for her items in my closet but bought her additional clothes, shoes, and toiletries.

“There is an en suite in here, but the house has four other bathrooms. Until you decide to interact with me, I will bathe you and take you to the bathroom.”

I’d read about her treatment for dissociative amnesia. Hypnosis might unlock something within her. My guess was the previous treatment partially worked due to her brief reactions towards me. Until she grew comfortable with my presence and her new routine, there was nothing I could do but be patient.

My gut was never wrong, and I knew she would be worth the wait.

Chapter 3

Saul

After I reassured her of the bear’s safety and told her it had to stay in the bedroom on her bed, she reluctantly let go of it. I would give it to her if she needed it, but I needed to be her security blanket. I sat the bear on the bed and leaned it on the leg of my wooden bed beside her pillow.

Her head was still dipped down when I took hold of her hand. It was so small against mine, and I had to push my anger back down at the thought of whoever abused her. I was at least two decades her senior, yet I struggled with the mixture of emotions that Jane drew from me.

I took her from room to room upstairs. When I spoke, it was in a calm and quiet voice. I told her how long ago I bought the house and what work I’d done to it. As she began to relax, her hand tightened around mine. I wouldn't show her the converted loft space because that was my playroom. It had little use since I never met a woman with whom I remained with long-term. The scenes that were played out in Club X were enough to satisfy my needs.

By the time I took her downstairs, she held her head upright. The aroma of the food was in the air since I’d accidentally left the kitchen door open. I could only hope that it would help stimulate her appetite. She had gained a few pounds since she had escaped, but it wasn't enough.

“You will be eating five times a day. Three meals and two snacks. It doesn't matter if you can't finish it, but you will try your best,” I said in a calm but stern voice. “The stronger you are, the better it is for your health.”

She didn't react, and I didn't expect her to. I continued to show her downstairs, even taking her into the large garage, which had three cars in it. I smoothed her hair away from her face. Her eyes flickered, and I didn’t think she liked the garage. I looked around at the grey walls, shelves and cars. It wasn't any different from most garages.

“Can you drive?” I asked as I took her around the shelving area.

There was a wall panel above the shelves that held all my tools. I had everything in its place, but part of me wanted to show her that the garage was unlocked and that she had access to various weapons. When her eyes moved over the different tools, I held back my smile. She couldn't get the jump on me, but it was good to know she was curious enough to observe her options. No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than she shut down again, and the vacant look returned to her haunted eyes.

“Maybe one day I could teach you how to drive a car,” I said before I guided her back towards the house.

Her hand trembled in mine, and I knew she needed a break. When we got to the kitchen, I lifted her and placed her on the counter away from the oven. I focused on preparing the gravy from the tray and heating some garlic bread, which was one item she reportedly always finished. When I checked on her with a sneaky side eye, I was pleased she was watching me.

I moved beside her and took a knife from the wooden block to cut the chicken. When I returned to the chicken, she was looking at the knife block. In the hospital, the patients weren't permitted to use pens or pencils without supervision, let alone anything they could harm themselves or others with. It made me wonder if she had gotten hold of a knife.

Once everything was ready to serve, I washed my hands and stood before Jane. I hated calling her Jane. She was so much more than a Jane Doe. I placed my hands on the counter and pushed my way between her legs to see her reaction.

Her eyes closed momentarily, but as I put my hands on her waist, they opened again. She looked weary, but there was no reaction to my proximity. Dr Arin had said she suspected that Jane didn't remember the level of abuse, and I agreed with her. Until she began to speak again, we would never know.

“Dinner, bath and then bed for you,” I murmured before I placed her legs around my waist. “Hold on,” I said before I lifted her.

Her legs tightened around me, but her hands remained limp at her side, so I placed my hands on her ass and carried her into the dining room.

“I could get used to carrying you around,” I said as I spread my fingers across the span of her denim-covered ass.

When I reached her pillow, I slid my hands into her black hoody to hold her lower back but felt her shiver. I looked into her beautiful, empty eyes. She had survived only for her mind to snap to preserve what remained of her. I wasn't looking forward to seeing what the animal had done to her, but I’d promised myself I would do whatever it took to see her blossom.

“You can let go now,” I murmured. “And get comfortable on your pillow.”

I held her until her feet touched the ground, but I was reluctant to remove my fingers from the warmth of her flesh. When I did, she moved to sit on the pillow.

“Good girl,” I said, pleased she had followed my instructions.

I pulled her long blond hair with both hands until it fell down her back before returning to the kitchen to get our dinner. Byhand-feeding her, I ensured she ate more than her usual meagre amount and let her become accustomed to my proximity.

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