Page 49 of Wallflower

“Boss, she’s blacking out.”

“Let her, this will be easier without her tensing up.”

Roughly, he jerks my hand toward him again, pulling me out of the darkness. His other hand firmly holds my arm still. There’s a quick twist, followed by an uncomfortableclunkbeneath my skin. Then Maximus is pressing against my hand, pushing it back toward my arm. Forcing everything back into place.

“Rylan, you’re the least dishevelled, go get the specialized first aid kit and meet us in the infirmary.”

“Yes, sir.” He slides his belt from my mouth, and I listen to the sound of his retreating footsteps between my panting breaths.

“Sorry we left you so long, doll.” Maximus tries to brush the hair back from my face, however, it’s caked in blood and stuck in place. “But Rylan demanded penance for you embarrassing him.” I knew he disliked me. I wonder if he regrets his decision after seeing the soiled state I was left in.

I nod, because honestly, what the fuck do I say to that? He’s not fucking sorry. He watched me endlessly. The clicking of the camera lens giving him away, and little green light illuminating the darkness like a taunt.

“How long?” I rasp, trying to get my feet firmly under me.

“Any longer and you could have died from lack of water.”

Well, that could be three to five days if he doesn’t know Sam came to visit.

“Even with what Samuel snuck to you.”

Oh. Never mind then. Probably closer to five.

It doesn’t feel like that long, and knowing I was unresponsive for almost all of it makes me both thankful and unsettled.

“Karson?”

“Yes, boss?”

“Please deliver her to the infirmary, I’ll be along shortly. I’m going to visit her sister first.”

Karson’s body tenses against mine. His hold on me tightening.

“You’re going to see Chelsea? She’s still here?” I rasp more desperately than I’d like.

“Yes. I need to go ensure Bradley hasn’t found his way to her again.”

I muster up the strength to say, “Thank you.” I know it’s what he’s waiting for, and I’ll willingly say whatever he wants to hear as long as I get out of this damp fucking prison cell.

“Don’t thank me yet, doll face.” His piercing gaze accesses me, nose twitching as my repulsive state works him over. “Get moving, Karson. I want her showered before I return.”

“Yes, boss.”

Maximus turns, leaving Karson and I alone.

“Can you stand?” he asks, eyes soft and warm.

“I think so.”

He places me gently on my feet, releasing me slowly. My head swims, body slightly swaying, as dizziness wavers my vision. Faintly, I’m aware of the expanse of tanned skin appearing before me, sandy hair pushed back off his brow by the backward baseball cap.

“Arms up,” he directs, light grey shirt dangling from his fingers. I pierce him with a sharp glare. After hanging by them for countless hours, my arms are useless lead weights at my side.

“Unless,” he adds, voice dipping low, “you’d rather I carry you through half of Bleakcrest with nothing to shield you but your pride.” His mouth curves, the tiniest smile waiting to break free. “Or would you like at least a little of your dignity preserved?”

If he only knew what I’ve been through, and how little of my dignity remains.

Slowly, I start to move my arms to the front of my body.