Page 34 of Closer Than You Think
“Ah, I’ll be in touch, Si,” the other man says as he presses a button. Silas just nods and I watch the elevator doors close, leaving me alone with the man who just kidnapped me.
I turn to face him, my eyes wide with a mixture of awe at the space and apprehension at this cluster-fuck of a situation. “Why did you bring me here?”
He moves towards me, his steps measured and deliberate. “This is the safest place for you right now. No one can get to you here.”
I shake my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Except for you, apparently.”
Silas's jaw clenches, and I can see the muscles in his neck tighten. “I'm not the one you need to be afraid of, Hallie.”
“Then who is?” I demand, my voice rising with each word. “Who's after me? And why?”
He reaches out, his fingertips grazing my arm, but I jerk away from his touch. The hurt that flashes across his face is gone in an instant, replaced by a mask of cool composure.
“I'll tell you everything,” he promises, his voice low and earnest. “But first, you need to rest. It’s late and you've been through a lot.”
I want to argue, to demand answers, but the exhaustion that's been nipping at my heels finally catches up to me. My body feels heavy, my mind foggy. As the adrenaline leaves my body, I feel unstable on my feet.
Silas is there in an instant, his arm wrapping around my waist to steady me. I want to push him away, to maintain the distance between us, but I find myself leaning into his touch, craving the warmth and stability he offers. I want to hate him, but my body craves him.
He leads me through the penthouse, past sleek furniture and state-of-the-art security systems that seem to watch our every move. We turn down a long corridor and come to a stop outside a door. Silas punches in a code on the keypad.
The door swings open, revealing a bedroom that's both luxurious and utilitarian. A king-sized bed dominates the space, its crisp white sheets and plush pillows beckoning me forward.
But it's the reinforced windows and the high-tech security panel on the wall that catch my attention. This isn't just a bedroom; it's a fortress.
A sanctuary.
And as much as I hate to admit it, I need it now more than ever.
I step into the room, my gaze sweeping over every detail, trying to reconcile the stark contrast between the opulent furnishings and the cold, unyielding security measures. The door clicks shut behind me, and I turn to face Silas, my heart hammering in my chest.
“Why am I here?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Silas takes a step towards me, his green eyes intense and unflinching. “Because someone wanted to take you, Hallie. And I'm the only one who can protect you.”
His words hit me like a physical blow, and I stagger back, my legs hitting the edge of the bed. “Who? Why?”
Silas rakes a hand through his dark hair, his jaw clenching. “It's complicated. There are things about me you don’t know.”
“Clearly.”
“I have access to information. I found out that a very powerful criminal organization wanted to abduct you—I don’t know why yet,” he adds before I can ask. “But I knew I only had a short time to get you away from their grasp.”
“Who are you? Clearly not just some new neighbor.”
“No. No, I’m not.”
“I deserve the truth, Silas. All of it.”
He nods, his gaze never leaving mine. “And you'll have it. But not tonight. Tonight, you need to rest. You're safe here, Hallie. I promise you that.”
I want to believe him, to trust in the sincerity that rings in his voice. But the events of the night have shaken me to my core, and I don't know what to believe anymore.
Silas seems to sense my hesitation, and he takes another step forward, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. His touch is gentle, almost reverent, and I find myself leaning into it despite myself.
“I know you're scared,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my skin. “And I know you have every reason to doubt me. But I need you to trust me, Hallie. Just for tonight. Can you do that?”
I search his eyes, looking for any hint of deception or malice. But all I see is a fierce protectiveness, a burning intensity that steals my breath away.
