Page 4 of Rehabilitated

It’s the longest night of my life, but for the first time in forever, I feel alive. I finally have my mate.

Now to keep her alive…

2

Ever

I blink my eyes open. Dread fills me as I look around at the unfamiliar surroundings. My mind races as I try to remember.

How long have I been out?

I close my eyes, thinking hard. It takes me a minute to remember everything that happened. I remember running. I was hurt, bleeding pretty bad, but I didn’t dare stop moving. It had taken so long to plan my escape, and I couldn’t let them catch me or drag me back to that house of horrors.

I remember being exhausted. I remember tripping and…

Relief crashes over me. I made it out. So, how did I get here? And where exactly am I?

I open my eyes again and look around the neat cabin. It’s clean and furnished, so someone must live here. I move slowly, testing my sore body as I shift into a sitting position on the bed.

The faint scent of a man’s cologne hits me. I need to get out of here.

My vision spins as my legs dangle off the edge of the bed. My head throbs and my stomach growls.

Shoot, when was the last time that I ate?

The bedroom door creaks open.

I tense, eyes wide as I stare at the giant who steps into the room.

He’s huge, easily six and a half feet tall, maybe taller, and he’s wide. His shoulders are enormous, and his chest and arms look like he bench presses freaking trees because ordinary weights would be too easy.

“Easy,” he says, his voice deep and smooth. “You should be resting.”

I’m terrified. It’s all that I can think about, all I can focus on.

“I’m free, right?” I blurt in a panic. “I made it out?”

“Yes, you’re safe here. No one is going to get you. No one will ever hurt you again,” the man promises.

For some reason, I believe him.

I relax a fraction. “Where am I?” I croak.

“My cabin. You’re in Night Grove Falls. It’s—I’m Russo. Do you remember anything?”

I wince as I lick my dry, cracked lips.

“Fuck. I’ll get you some water. The doctor said that was all right.” He bolts from the room.

Move! my mind screams. Now is your chance to get out of here!

I slip off the bed, and my legs buckle under me. I gasp, bracing to hit the ground, but strong hands catch me. Holy crap, the man moves fast.

He scoops me up into his arms and places me gently back on the bed. “The doctor said you’d be sore. He left some pain medicine.”

“No!” I panic. “I’m okay.”

I’m actually pretty sore, but I know the medicine will make me sleepy and dull my senses. I need to keep my wits about me so I can get out of here.