Page 58 of Traces of Her

“Oh yeah,” I reply sarcastically. “That’s exactly what this one was.”

When we walk back into the basement, the two of them freeze and Rowena’s eyes find mine instantly. Naturally, I gravitate toward her as her soul pulls me to her.

“Go get her some clothes,” I say softly in an effort to get her as far away from this room as possible right now.

She stands there for a moment as if she doesn’t intend on leaving the room.

“You heard him, whore,” Jared taunts. “Do whatever the fuck your master tells you to.”

I swear to God, I’m going to fucking end him.

Without saying another word, she floats out of the room.

“Griffin,” Jared says. “Do me a favor and go get the van and bring it around the back of the house.”

“Jared, be reasonable,” I warn him. “You’ve done enough here. I think Robert will get it.”

“Get the van, or it’s your head too,” he seethes.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly shake my head before following after Rowena upstairs.

As we get settled in the van, my phone rings. Rowena looks over with a stone cold look on her face, clutching the clothes in her hands as I reluctantly answer it.

“I’m done. Bring your whore and come load her up,” Jared barks, promptly hanging up the phone.

Setting my phone down on the dashboard, I turn toward Rowena before pulling the van around to the back of the house. “Ro.” I reach out, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I swear to you, this is almost over and he will be dealt with accordingly after this. Along with the rest of his men.”

She grabs my hand, bringing it up to her lips and gently presses her lips to my palm. “I believe you.” She stares at me with her clear blue eyes. “I never knew what love was before you.”

“And love is the only thing you’ll know for the rest of your life,” I assure her as I pull her hand into my lap and put the van in drive, slowly making our way to the front of the house.

When we get inside, Rowena keeps her distance from Jared as she takes the clothing she brought over to Lydia. Walking over to Jared’s toolbox, I find an unused needle and a vial of a sedative. Lydia yelps as Rowena carefully lifts her leg to put on the sweatpants. I draw up the liquid into the syringe as she finishes dressing her and walk over to her, lightly grabbing her upper arm.

“You’re going to want this,” I tell her. “It will make this easier so just close your eyes and let it do its job.”

She nods as I prick her with the needle and inject the sedative into her muscle. After a few moments, she grows relaxed and a smile forms on her face.

“See, isn’t that better?” Rowena murmurs to her.

“We gotta move fast and get her in the van. The sooner we get her out of here, the sooner we can get her to a hospital,” I tell her in a hushed voice as Lydia’s eyes close and she falls asleep.

Lifting her into my arms, I carry Lydia out the door and to the van. Rowena holds the doors open for me as I lay her down as gently as possible.

“Can we hurry the fuck up here?” Jared barks as he comes up behind us, slamming the doors shut. “We have somewhere to be in case you didn’t notice,” he says as he walks around and climbs into the van.

Looking at Rowena, she looks so small, too fragile and delicate to be surrounded by such ugliness. Taking her hand in mine, I pull her toward me and walk toward the other side of the van. I gently cup her face, bringing my lips down to hers before moving them to her ear.

“This will all be over soon, love,” I whisper to her. “I promise.”

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