Page 30 of Captive Vows
But I wasn’t jarred.
I was too coiled up. Too tense. Too overwhelmed with the stress of being kidnapped, captured. Then the endurance to maintain this silent treatment and never show weakness.
When that man burst in, it was the most direct example of violence I’d faced yet.
Just like when Tony tried to rape me.
Just like when I was snatched out of the apartment.
It was just too much.
Locked in this trauma response, I could only stare back at Luka.
He framed my face, forcing me to address him. “Gabriella.”
I swallowed, dizzy from the panic attack of someone in here and the dreadful worry that I’d be dead.
“Not done yet,” I whispered, almost drunkenly.
“Itisdone. He’s gone. He slipped away and is still too… Itisdone,” he commanded. “You’re not in danger.”
I nodded feebly, wishing I could believe him. I wasn’t in danger from whoever that bloodied, wounded, drugged man was. But I was very much in danger fromhim.
Like this, Luka stared at me with concern. Not expectations.
Alone in here with me, Luka watched me out of worry. Not irritation.
“I meant…” I cleared my throat. My voice was scratchy from the lack of use.
“What?” He didn’t release me, and the more I acclimated to the hardness of his body serving as an anchor for me, I didn’t want him to. “What did you mean?”
“I meant that my life can’t be over yet.” I licked my lips and lowered my gaze.
He lifted my face again until I was stuck in his dark stare. “No. It’s not. Not on my watch.”
I huffed. Then I laughed once more. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
He furrowed his brow.
“You can’t win like that.”
The lines on his brow deepened. “What?”
“That’s… That’s cheating. You got me to talk.”
He sighed, lightening up. “For fuck’s sake.” As I tried to stand, preferring fighting with him to letting him see me weak and vulnerable, he tightened his hold on me again. “Stop. Enough with the silence.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I will not let anyone harm or kill you here.”
I frowned. “What about this tally system? When I don’t reply?”
He smirked. “Don’t think you can get away with changing the subject right now. You were scared.”
“You won’t hear me admit that.”
“Fine. I respect that. In fact,don’tadmit it. Always guard your words.”
