by Elle James
When she was fairly confident she wouldn’t pass out, she eased to her feet and stood for a long moment. Her head didn’t spin, and she didn’t wobble. Though her legs were weak, she could make it across the floor to the bathroom. Once inside, she relieved herself, washed her hands and stared into the small mirror over the sink.
Holy hell, she looked horrible! Her face was scratched and bruised, her hair lay in matted hanks with pieces of leaves and sticks twisted between the strands. She eyed the small shower for a second, checked the lock on the door and patted the fluffy white towel on the counter. The water was easy to turn on but took a few minutes to warm up. Meanwhile, she stood on the wood floor, her bare feet and legs cold from the chill mountain air.
When the water was warmer than room temperature, she stripped out of the T-shirt and hung it on a hook on the back of the door. That’s when she realized she had no undergarments. She’d been naked when she’d run from the Master’s place, and she hadn’t cared. Her goal had been to get as far away as fast as she could. If she’d been naked when she’d left her prison, she’d been naked when Sam and Grunt had found her.
Her cheeks heated.
She couldn’t do anything about the past. So, Sam had seen her naked. She hadn’t been in the best condition. He must have dressed her in the T-shirt as well. And her body wasn’t all that muddy from having been in the river. Had he cleaned her up before dressing her in one of his T-shirts?
Reggie’s cheeks burned. With consciousness and clarity came shame and embarrassment. She lifted her chin. It didn’t matter what Sam had seen and done, as long as he hadn’t taken advantage of her while she’d been out of it. Her gut instinct told her he’d been a gentleman and had done only what was necessary to keep her alive and comfortable.
Reggie stepped beneath the spray and let the hot water wash away the remaining dirt and smudges she’d acquired during her race against death. She squirted shampoo into her palm and rubbed it into her hair, working up a thick lather. Then she ran the suds across her face, shoulders and breasts. Pouring more shampoo into her palm, she scrubbed lower, rubbing hard in an attempt to wash away the filth of her captor’s hands and body parts. She’d never feel clean again. Not after what she’d been through. The man deserved to be shot. She prayed she’d have the pleasure of pulling the trigger. That bastard had to be stopped. Too many had already been hurt by his madness. And those Reggie knew about might not be all he had harmed.
She poured some conditioner into her palm and worked it through her hair, finger-combing the tangles free. When she’d rinsed most of it out of her hair, she turned off the water, reached for the towel and patted her skin dry. When she was done, she wrapped her hair in the towel, feeling more like the Reggie she’d been before she’d been taken. With nothing else to wear, she pulled the T-shirt back over her body, stepped out of the bathroom and ran into a solid wall of muscles.
“Oh.” She stumbled back a step or two and looked up into Sam’s eyes. “I thought you were asleep.”
Sam gripped her elbow to steady her. “I was worried about you,” he said. “You were in there a long time.”
Her gaze left his and found its way to the floor and her own bare feet. “I had to scrub all of the dirt away,” she murmured.
He nodded. “I was more worried that you might have fallen. It’s a good thing you came out when you did. I was about to go in after you.”
Warmth filled her chest and rose up her neck into her cheeks. “It’s nice to have someone worry about me. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He frowned. “I might have another clean shirt you can use.”
“No need. This one will do.”
He turned away and dug inside a duffel bag, pulling out a solid black T-shirt. He held it out. When she didn’t make a move to take it, he shook it gently. “Seriously, you sweated in the other one when you were burning up with fever.”
Her nose twitched. “When you put it that way…” She took the shirt. “Thank you. And thank you for rescuing me from the river.”
Sam grunted a response and walked to the refrigerator. “What do you like for breakfast? Sadie stocked the refrigerator with eggs, bacon and soup. I make mean fried eggs, or you can have some of the soup she brought last night.”
“Eggs would be good. Do you want me to make them?”
He shook his head. “I’ve got this. I might not know how to cook anything else, but I can cook an egg and a steak. Though my preference for the steak is to cook on a grill.” He pulled a carton of eggs from the refrigerator and set it on the counter beside the small stove.
Reggie returned to the bathroom, whipped off the shirt she was wearing and replaced it with the clean black one. It smelled of men’s cologne or aftershave, like Sam. She liked its woodsy scent. It reminded her of her father when he’d taken her mother out for date night.
The Master had worn a cologne. It hadn’t smelled anything like this. His had had a strong, sweet scent that made her stomach churn every time he’d come near her. She’d never seen his face because he’d worn a ski mask every time he’d brought her up to the big house. But she’d recognize him by his scent.
Once she had the clean black T-shirt on, she stepped out of the bathroom. She’d like to have undergarments, but a T-shirt was more than she’d had for weeks. She wouldn’t complain.
The aroma of bacon frying made her stomach rumble loudly. Reggie pressed a hand to her sunken belly. She’d lost weight while she’d been held in captivity. The Master only fed them once a day. And then it had been oatmeal or dry cereal. Protein hadn’t been part of their diet. Sometimes, when he took one of them upstairs, he let them eat his table scraps, if he was in a good mood. Most of the time, he only brought them up for one thing, and if they didn’t cooperate, he shocked them with either the cattle prod or a taser.
The first time he’d brought her up to the big house, he’d zip-tied her hands to keep her from fighting back. She’d waited until she was out of the basement, and then kicked him hard in the shin and ran for the front door. She hadn’t gone far when she’d been struck in the back with the prongs of a taser. She’d landed face-first on the floor and lay twitching. Completely incapacitated, she’d suffered through his violation of her body. The next time he’d brought her up, he’d reminded her of what had happened the last time. Brandishing the taser, he’d led her into his bedroom and kicked the door shut behind them.
When he was kicking the door with his foot, Reggie had taken careful aim and kicked him in the balls. Then she’d kicked the taser out of his hand. Unfortunately, he’d fallen to his knees in front of the door. She’d run to the bathroom and locked herself inside. While he’d pounded on the door, she’d searched for something to cut the plastic zip-ties binding her wrists. There had been nothing sharp enough to cut through the plastic. By the time she’d realized it, the door swung open and the Master had stood holding the key up in one hand and his taser in the other.
She’d ducked, but not soon enough. The prongs hit her in the chest, and she dropped like a sack of potatoes onto the cool tiles of the bathroom floor.
Once again, she could do nothing to defend herself. The entire time he’d raped her, she’d prayed that she would die. And if she didn’t, she vowed revenge on the bastard. Somehow, she’d break free and come back to make him pay for what he’d done to her and the other women he held in his cellar.
Sam stepped in front of her, holding a plate filled with eggs, bacon and toast. “Hey. Are you all right?”
She shook free of the memories and nodded.
Sam frowned, apparently unconvinced. “Have a seat before you fall.”
“I’m not that weak,” she protested, but did as he suggested and sat in one of the two chairs at the little table.
He set the plate of food in front of her and went back to the stove for the other. He set it on the table and pulled two tin cups from a shelf on the wall and filled them with milk from the refrigerator.
All the while, Reggie stared at the food i
n front of her, salivating, waiting until Sam took the seat across from her.
“You didn’t have to wait,” he said. “Eat.”
She grabbed the fork and dug into the eggs, shoveling them into her mouth as if this might be her last meal. After what she’d been through, she didn’t take any meal for granted. Nor did she take her freedom for granted. Never again would she let a man do what the Master had done to her. She’d kill her attacker first or die trying. The problem was, she’d been tased before she could do much to defend herself. Then she’d been knocked out using some kind of drug. Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have fought back. The best she’d been able to do was stop eating and dig her way out of her hell.
The food she’d just eaten sat like heavy wet socks in the pit of her belly, reminding her there were other women being held just like she’d been, locked up in cold, damp cells, being raped and abused by a monster.
Sam reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “If you want to help the others, you have to be able to help yourself. You need to fuel your body to have the strength to stand up to whoever captured you and held you against your will.”
She nodded and pressed a hand to her belly. “I know you’re correct. But it doesn’t feel right filling my face with food when the others are starving and being abused.”
“They would eat, if they had the opportunity. Don’t let it turn your stomach. You have to get well enough to help me find them.” He gently squeezed her fingers and lifted his fork. “When we’re done with breakfast, I’ll call Hank and see if he’s learned anything.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I wish I knew more. The Master never mentioned his name. He wore a mask, and he didn’t allow us to talk or ask questions. When one of the ladies cried, he hit her with the cattle prod. We learned quickly to keep our tears and questions to ourselves.” She stared down at her fork full of eggs and took the bite. Sam was right. To help the others, she had to be strong.
Soon, her plate was empty and her belly full. Setting her fork aside, she glanced up at Sam. “I’m ready to start looking.”
He finished his last bite and nodded. “First, we have to get you some clothes. You can’t go about town dressed like you are.”
She shook her head, her brow dipping. “I can’t be seen. If the Master catches wind I’m not dead…”
“We’ll think of something.” He took his plate and hers to the sink and ran water over them.
Reggie pushed to her feet and joined him, taking up a dishtowel. “You wash, and I’ll dry.”
The simple act of washing the dishes felt so normal, it made her feel guilty. It didn’t take long, but this wasn’t getting them to the Master’s house to free the others.
Sam took the dishtowel from her and dried his hands. “I know you’re anxious to get started. I was hoping to hear from Hank before we set out looking.”
As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door.
Reggie’s eyes widened, and her heart skipped several beats. She stepped to the side of the door and stood close to the wall, out of the way and out of immediate sight of anyone who might come inside.
“Sam?” a male voice called out. “It’s me, Hank.”
Sam opened the door and let his boss inside.
A blast of cool air swept into the cozy cabin along with Hank.
“Sadie sent me over with things she thought you might need.” He carried an armload of clothing. He looked around the room, finally spotting Reggie. “Oh, good, you’re up and getting around. Sadie will be glad to hear that.”
Reggie nodded. “Please thank her for the soup and medicine.”
Hank nodded. “I will. By the way, I’m Hank Patterson. And you are?”
“Reggie McDonald,” she said.
“Nice to meet you.” He shoved the stack of clothing toward her. “These are for you. Sadie figured you could use some clothes, seeing as you didn’t have any when Sam and Grunt found you.”
Reggie’s cheeks heated as she took the proffered items. A rush of warmth filled her chest. “That was very nice of her to think of me.”
“She was horrified to hear about what happened to you. She said to tell you that if you need anything, just ask. She’ll be happy to assist.” Hank smiled. “She’d have come herself, but she didn’t have anyone to watch Emma for now.” Hank turned to Sam. “I put Swede on searching land plats from where you discovered Reggie upstream. There’s a fork in the river not far from there. He’ll search both branches. It would help to know more about the topography of the land around the house where you were held captive.”
Reggie shook her head. “I don’t remember much. But what I do know is that the house was situated on a hill. I dug my way out of the cellar because it opened up on the side of a hill.”
“Do you remember how far you ran until you came to the river?” Hank asked.
She shook her head. “All I know is that I had to get away from him and his Rottweilers. He had two of them.”
“Did they attack you?” Sam asked.
She shook her head. “No. I got away before they could catch up to me.”
Sam’s eyebrows shot up. “How did you do that?”
Reggie shrugged, the moment coming back to her, making her knees shake. “The dogs were almost on me. My only two choices were to give up and go back with them or jump off a cliff.” Her gaze met Sam’s. “I jumped.”
Chapter 6
Sam shook his head. Reggie had to have been terrified. He couldn’t imagine what she’d gone through. No one should ever be that scared that she’d throw herself over a cliff rather than go back to what she’d come from. “You jumped off a cliff. Sweet Jesus.”
“I did. Into the river below.” She closed her eyes. “I hit the water hard. For a moment, I thought I’d hit rocks, it was that hard.”
Hank whistled. “How high up were you?”
She opened her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know. Twenty or thirty feet? I sank all the way to the bottom.” Reggie’s gaze shifted to the window. “I didn’t think I’d ever make it back to the surface. But I did.”
“You’re amazing,” Sam said.
Hank stared at her. “When you hit water from that high up, if you don’t do it right, it’s like hitting concrete. You’re very lucky to be alive.”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. “The water was so cold.”
“The streams up in these mountains are fed by melting snow,” Hank said.
Reggie shivered. “I let the river carry me as far as it could, but my arms and legs were getting numb, and I was having a hard time keeping my head above the water. That’s when the river slowed, and I was able to crawl out onto a sandy bank.” She shrugged and gave Sam a crooked smile. “That’s where you found me.”
Sam would never forget the feeling in his gut when he’d realized the figure on the riverbank was a human.
Grunt nudged her hand.
Reggie gave the dog a soft smile. “Sorry. That’s where Grunt found me.”
“I can’t imagine what would have happened had we not been there fishing at that time.” Sam drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Grunt was barking, or I never would have gone to look.”
Reggie scratched the dog’s ears. “Thank you, Grunt.”
Sam’s jaw tightened. “He was standing between you and a gray wolf. He saved your life.”
Reggie’s eyes widened. “A wolf?” She lowered her head, rocking it back and forth. “I thought that was part of my nightmare.” She looked up at Sam. “You mean, he was real?”
“Very real,” Sam said. “I fired a shot over his head, and he ran off.”
“It wasn’t your day to die,” Hank said.
“I was lucky to get away.” Reggie hugged herself tighter. “I pray the other ladies can be saved before something worse happens to them.”
“We’re working on it,” Hank said. “I also contacted one of my guys and his woman. She’s an FBI agent.”
Reggie shot a frightened glan
ce between Sam and Hank. “No one can know I’m alive. It’s crucial to let the Master think I died in the fall. I floated face-down in the river for a long time to convince the Master I was dead.”
“I have them in my strictest confidence. They’re going to kayak upstream from the point where Sam found you. Molly, Kujo’s woman, has skills with drones. She’s going to record what’s on both sides of the river as they go.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier and faster if we hired a helicopter pilot?” Sam asked.
Hank nodded. “And noisier. Reggie’s abductor could spook and decide to get rid of the women he has locked in the basement. We have to sneak up on him. Drones are much quieter.”
Reggie nodded. “Makes sense.”
“In the meantime, I need the names of the other women, so Swede can be searching the missing persons databases. If we can track where they were taken, we might discover a pattern. He might work near the places where the victims were taken.”
Reggie frowned. “He had me locked up for at least two weeks. During that time, he would disappear for days at a time.”
Sam’s fists bunched. “With no food or water?”
Reggie snorted. “He left us with a bottle of water each.”
“For days?” Hank stared at her, his face reflecting his horror.
“When he came back one time, he brought Kayla.” Reggie again looked toward the window. “She was sobbing. I could hear the crackle of the cattle prod and her screams.”
Hank touched her arm. “I’m sorry this happened to you and the others. We’re going to do the best we can to keep you safe and rescue the other women.” His eyes widened. “Wait. I forgot something Sadie sent.” He hurried through the door.
Grunt followed him outside.
In a moment, Hank was back with a small box. He set it on the little table. “Sadie sent these things as well. She figured you might want to get out and about while still hiding. These are some of her props she uses when she wants to move about incognito.” He lifted a dark-haired wig out of the box and held it up. “She used this the last time we were in LA together. Sadie’s hot as a brunette.” He smiled and dug into the box again, this time pulling out an auburn wig. “Hmm. I haven’t seen her in this one. I’ll bet she’s hot as a redhead, too.”
