Page 59 of Captive

“Your poem was amazing.”

I was surprised to hear his appreciation. “I didn’t intend for you to see that.”

“It was touching.”

“Then I’ll have to admit that it was about you.”

Sighing, he rolled over on his back, folding his arms behind his head. “I’m not courageous, Chloe. I did what I had to do.”

“That’s not what I see in you.” Shifting closer, I rose onto my elbow, allowing me to peer down at him. “You’re the most courageous man I’ve ever met.” I placed my hand on his chest and he eased one hand over mine, rubbing his thumb back and forth.

“You should know differently but now, but your words are special to me.”

“Don’t go back.”

“To Russia?”

“Yes. Your life is here.”

“I might not have a choice. That’s the way of my life and one I accepted.”

I had no idea if anything I said would matter. I didn’t have a chance to say anything, his phone ringing in the middle of the night.

Instantly, he was on edge, jerking up from the bed and swinging his legs onto the floor before grabbing his phone. “Travis?”

I rose to a sitting position, a single shiver coursing down my spine. I could see his body tensing after a few seconds.

“Are you there?” he asked, several seconds later cursing in Russian. He ended the call, immediately rising to his feet.

“What’s going on?”

“You need to get dressed and ready. We are leaving in five minutes.”

“Please tell me what just happened?”

“My friend from Waltham, the one who’s keeping watch on Bratva activities just called. He said two words before he was cut off. ‘Get out.’”

My body slow to react, I finally managed to jerk the covers away, trying to refocus and remember where my jeans were.

“I’m not fucking around here, Chloe.” He yanked his clothes from the floor, struggling into them.

“I know. I’ll be right there.” I hadn’t packed anything like he’d requested, but clothes didn’t matter to me any longer. Getting away from the continuing danger we’d been exposed to did. I was aware he’d stormed out of the room, but I found it difficult to move quickly, my heart racing until I felt the pulse in my throat.

Move. Get it going.

I managed to slide into my jeans, yanking on the same sweater then finding my boots. There was nothing I’d purchased that mattered. I grabbed the jacket, fumbling to get into it as I raced down the stairs.

The bags he’d brought in were in the living room. He nodded as I approached then moved toward the front of the cabin, standing to the side then peering out the blinds. While there was no outward indication that the area had been breached, I could tell within seconds that his anger was off the charts.

“Fuck. This isn’t good, Chloe. I’m not going to lie to you.” Advancing, when he was finally only a few inches away, my fear elevated to utter terror. “We’re taking these bags and heading into the forest for the boat. Do you understand me?”

“Uh-huh.” Did I? Could I manage to do this?

He jerked one of the bags, yanking the zipper then handing me a flashlight. “Do not turn this on until I tell you. You can’t make any noise at all. Stay low and focused. We have one shot at this. There won’t be another.”

“Okay. I can do that.” Although a whimper had already formed in my throat, I shut my mouth and took several deep breaths.

Nodding, he squeezed my arm before tossing the bags over one shoulder and heading for the back door. My eyes accustomed to the darkness, I could clearly see the gun in his hand. He peered outside, hissing before unlocking and opening the door, motioning to me after a few seconds.