Page 86 of His Captive

“No.” I shake my head quickly. Sparing him from asking what I know he’s thinking.

“I’m fine, honestly I’m ok,” I assure him, and he lets out a relieved breath, his hand pressing the back of my head, so our foreheads touch.

“I’m so sorry, sorry you were dragged into this. Sorry you had to see that.” He tells me.

“He planned the whole thing. He killed my dad so he could use me to get to you,” I start to explain but stop when Ethan pulls away and I see how hurt he looks. He raises his head over mine so I can’t see his eyes and kisses the top of my head.

“Come on we gotta get out of here.” He sets to untying my hands. Buddy had only managed to release my ankles before Sorrento distracted him.

“Buddy, come on.” Ethan turns around when we get to the door and realizes he isn’t following us.

“Leave me here,” Buddy says blankly, still staring at Sorrento’s body.

“Don’t be stupid Buddy, come on,” I say, going to him and crouching down beside him. I avoid looking at the body, but I can’t ignore the blood that’s splattered all over the room. I tug hard at his shirt willing for him to get up.

“I couldn’t let him hurt you too,” Buddy tells me.

“And you didn’t. You saved us both. Buddy, come on.”

“I deserve punishment for what I’ve done,” he starts to sob. “I deserve to go to prison.”

I look up to Ethan for help. He shrugs like he’s actually in agreement with Buddy at first, then rolls his eyes when I plead to him with mine.

“Get your fucking ass off the floor, Bud,” he tells him, and Buddy immediately looks up.

“But boss, what we gonna do? DNA will be everywhere. I'm not scared of prison,” he says, trying to sound brave as he gets to his feet.

“Come on. I know a guy who can help. I’ll call him. We just all need to get going. It’s pretty remote around here. We should be good for a few hours.” Ethan grabs my hand and pulls me back toward the door. Then he lifts his cell from his pocket with the other pushing it to his ear.

“Jimmer, you still got that kid?” He speaks as soon as whoever he’s calling answers.

“The weird one that cleans shit up like it never fucking happened.”

“Yeah, well tell him I’ve got a job for him.”

Twenty Two

ETHAN

I don’t know how I don’t crash the car on the way home. My eyes are on her for pretty much the whole journey. Buddy is following behind in his car, though I’m sure he’s in no state to drive.

I’ll have to deal with him later because right now I can’t stand to look at him. The fact I owe him mine and Lysetta’s life is the only reason he still has a heart left to be broken.

“What happens now?” Lysetta asked. Staring out of the window as I drive through town and closer to home.

“I take you home, and we wash every part of you that he touched. Then I guess we should talk,” I tell her.

She nods sadly back at me, pressing her forehead against the glass, and remaining silent for the rest of the journey.

I park my car in the drive and jump out, watching Buddy drive on past. I know where he’s heading. There’s an empty cottage beside Mrs. Pritchard’s. He’s giving me space. He’s right to.

Opening Lysetta’s door, I scoop her up in my arms and carry her inside. I walk us straight past an astonished looking Mrs. Pritchard, up the stairs, through my bedroom, and into the bathroom.

She doesn’t say a word as I strip the clothes from her body, then turn on the shower, and guide her inside.

Relief washes over me when her eyes look up at me. Life is still there. Blue crystals of hope staring back at me. Her hand reaches up and she slides her finger along the collar of my shirt, down to the first button.

I step forward, backing her up under the warm stream of water. I’m still fully clothed myself, but I don’t care as I watch her skin become soaked. Small splatters of Sorrento’s blood dash her cheek, I swipe it away carefully with my thumb, knowing he can't hurt her anymore.

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