Read Online Run to Me by Christy Reece - Free Book Online Page B

lying, planning something evil, she should try to escape. Her mind felt so muddled and confused. Should she believe him? Should she try to escape? Indecision wasn’t something she was used to, or knew how to comprehend.
    Still weak and helpless, she could only wait and see what happened.
    “Feel like sitting up and eating something?”
    “Yes.”
    His arms rock hard and steady, he scooped her up and leaned her back against the stone wall of the cave. The trees and bushes he’d used to block the entrance had been removed, and dim light flooded the small space.
    An unwrapped protein bar appeared in her hand. “Eat it slowly, as much as you can. Your stomach may not be ready for a whole bar, but you need to get your strength back.”
    Taking a small bite, she chewed with determination. It tasted like artificially sweetened cardboard, but she soon found herself feeling stronger.
    He arched a golden brow. “Better?”
    “Yes.” Then, surprising herself, she said, “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    After several swallows of water from the canteen he offered, she asked, “What is this Last Chance organization you said I work for? What is its function?”
    “Pretty much what I did with you.” A broad shoulder shifted in a lazy shrug. “We rescue people who’ve been abducted.”
    “And that happens a lot?”
    His rusty chuckle caused an odd stirring within her. “Yeah, a hell of a lot more than most people think.”
    “Why are these people taken?”
    “Ransom. Extortion. Sexual predators. Slavery. Prostitution. You name it, it’s been done. Selling human beings for all sorts of vile acts has become big business.”
    “That is … interesting.” She’d almost said “sad” but had stopped herself. What was or wasn’t sad was not something she could differentiate. Nor was it her place to try.
    “Yeah … interesting, but mostly sad.”
    Uncomfortable that he’d stated her thoughts, she shifted on the thin blanket. Her bottom had gone numb, but finding a comfortable position seemed impossible.
    “Why don’t we go outside and let you get some fresh air. After all that water, you probably need to relieve yourself.”
    Bodily functions were normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Why, then, did she feel her cheeks redden? Embarrassment? Could she be feeling an emotion that only a few days ago she had no concept or understanding of, other than to acknowledge its existence?
    “You okay?”
    Nodding, not wanting him to question her, she pulled herself to her feet. When she swayed, his hands were there to steady her.
    “Take slow, small steps till you get your balance.”
    She shuffled toward the cave entrance. Once outside, she pulled in deep breaths. Though the air was heavy and thick, it still felt fresh and sweet on her skin and in her lungs.
    Birds skittered across branches, while insects and other small creatures created a symphony of clashing sounds that for some reason seemed both exciting and scary. When was the last time she had listened to nature? Her days were always filled with training and following orders. Nights were filled with duties … she blinked as her vision narrowed, tunneled toward darkness. Swaying, she reached out a hand; the man beside her grabbed it and held her tight.
    “I got you, Shea. You need to sit down?”
    She shook her head quickly, hoping to clear it. For a moment, a vision of something truly horrific touched her mind. Unable to comprehend the meaning, she veered away from the thought.
    “Let’s get you to a place where you can relieve yourself, then back inside.”
    He helped her across the small clearing, then stopped at a bush. “You okay to do this by yourself?”
    “Yes, I’ll be fine.”
    He backed away from her. She noticed that not only had he moved several feet off, he’d turned his back to give her privacy. Why would he do this when he knew she could try to run? Did he think she was too weak to escape? He couldn’t trust her—didn’t he know