I’d never been as glad to see dawn as I was when morning came at last. The first lightening of the sky had me searching the shed. I caught my breath when I saw a copperhead was only about a foot from me. I was sure that if I’d tried to get up or move at all during the night, it would’ve bitten me.
The rats had disappeared back into the dark recesses of the shed and I couldn’t see the other two snakes. Hoping they weren’t nearby, I inched backward. It wasn’t until the sky had lightened considerably that I felt far enough away from the snake that I could chance getting to my feet.
My legs were practically numb and it was only through sheer will and perseverance that I remained standing. I stumbled to the workbench and climbed up on it, dragging my chain with me.
More than anything, my body begged to lie down. My back was cramped from me sitting all night and my ass was numb. But I didn’t know when the man was coming back. I had to be ready, not sacked out.
I tucked my feet up under me and waited, the two-by-four lying next to me. I worked on the chain, trying to get it off the pin, but it wouldn’t budge.
The sound of someone approaching had me setting the chain aside. My path to the door was clear and I grabbed the two-by-four, holding the chain so it wouldn’t drag, as I took up a position just inside the doorway in the shadows. It was still really early and it surprised me that he’d come back so soon.
My arms shook with fatigue as I held the plank of wood like a baseball bat, ready to swing. My shirt was still wrapped around the base of it so I could get a good grip. I had no doubts that if I missed, I wouldn’t get a second chance.
The bolt slid back and the knob turned.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I held my breath, closed my eyes, and swung.
The plank of wood stopped, midflight.
Aghast, I opened my eyes to see he’d grabbed the two-by-four as it had swung toward his head. And I was glad he had, because it wasn’t the guy from last night.
It was Kade.
I choked in a breath, my mouth agape as I stared, wide-eyed, at him. My shaking hands dropped their grip on the wood.
“Kathleen,” he said, looking as stunned as I felt.
“Oh God, Kade,” I blurted before flinging myself into his arms. I sobbed with relief, though my tears were dry.
His arms were tight around me and I held on as though for dear life, which was actually true. My whole body shook with the force of my reaction, and I couldn’t speak.
“Shhh, it’s okay now. I’ve got you,” he said.
I got a hold of myself with a massive amount of effort, swallowing down my emotions. I eventually pulled back slightly and he released me, angling me into the sunshine to get a better look. When he saw the chain, the look on his face was one of horror before turning hard and cold.
“Hold still,” he said, the gentleness of his voice belying the fury in his eyes.
Kade reached for my neck, working at the collar. I tipped my head to the side, wincing as the metal cut more deeply into my skin. A moment later, Kade pulled hard at something, there was a loud snap, and the metal fell away.
I nearly started sobbing again to have that thing off me but instead took a deep, shuddering breath.
“Who did this to you?” Kade asked.
“I don’t know,” I croaked, my throat dry. “A man. Gage hired him.”
Pain shadowed Kade’s face at the sound of my voice.
“Get me out of here,” I whispered in a hoarse rasp. “Rats… snakes… inside.”
At the mention of rats and snakes, Kade’s eyes flashed up to look into the recesses of the shed. His lips thinned and his arm supported my back as he led me outside.
The adrenaline had vanished, leaving me in an even more feeble state than before. I had barely taken four steps before my knees gave out.
Kade caught me, easily hoisting me in his arms. I was too weak to even hold on to him and my arms hung loose while my head lolled limply backward. Everything seemed to be spinning now, going in and out of focus. My eyes slipped closed.
I heard Kade’s sharp intake of breath and inwardly winced, knowing I probably looked awful and smelled worse, not that I cared much at the moment.
A shadow fell over my face and I managed to open my eyes a sliver. Kade was carrying me into the trees. He walked until we reached a small glade, then I heard the sound I’d been dreading.
The sound of a car.
“Him,” I rasped. “He’s back.” I flailed with my hand to try to point, but Kade shushed me, carefully laying me down on a bed of soft green grass. It was blessedly cool against my bare skin.
“Stay put,” he said softly, brushing my tangled hair back from my face.
I panicked and tried to grab on to him. “Please, don’t leave me,” I gasped, starting to cry again, though my eyes were dry.
Kade paused, his brow creasing as he looked at me. His hand cupped my cheek. “Shhh, I’ll be back. I promise.” He leaned down, gently pressing his mouth to my cracked and bleeding lips. “Trust me, baby,” he whispered. “I’ll always come for you.”
I don’t know how long I lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness. I knew that if something happened to Kade, I’d probably die in that spot. I could no longer dredge up the will to save myself.
I woke when Kade lifted me in his arms, my overwhelming relief at seeing him again made my lips stretch into a smile, cracking the tender skin even more. Then there was nothing as I passed out. I didn’t have to be strong anymore. Kade was there.
Someone was holding something cold to my lips, pressing against them until I opened my mouth. A trickle of liquid touched my tongue. Water. It tasted better than anything else, ever—better than my first cup of coffee in the morning, better than the first chilled cocktail on a summer Friday night.
Gradually, I woke up enough to realize I was in the backseat of Kade’s Mercedes. He was holding me in his lap, cradled like a baby, as he carefully dribbled water into my mouth.
“Drink some water, princess,” he cajoled. “Drink and then I’ll get you to the hospital.”
I didn’t really process what he’d said, I was too busy swallowing as fast as I could.
It was several minutes and two bottles of water later before I took a break. Kade’s hand traced the contours of my face, brushing my closed eyes, my nose, my cheek. I felt safe, when I’d thought I never again would be, and didn’t want to move from his arms.
“How’d you find me?” I asked tiredly.
“Gage owns that property,” he said. “He used to use it for hunting. I took a shot when I couldn’t find you at his house.”
I nodded, then saw that I’d smudged dirt on Kade’s white T-shirt. I pulled back.
“I’m getting you dirty,” I said.
“I can’t decide if it’s cute or irritating that you think I’d give a shit,” Kade replied.
My smile was weak.
“I need to get you to a hospital,” he said.
I shook my head. “No. There’s no way I can explain this. And Blane doesn’t need another scandal in the papers about me. Just take me home.”
“You need medical attention,” he insisted.
“I’m fine. Just dehydrated. I didn’t get bitten by anything.”
At the mention of being bitten, his jaw clenched tight, though his touch remained gentle.
“Did you get anyone to help Blane?” I asked.
“Blane’s fine,” he answered. “Let’s worry about you for right now.”
He arranged me on the seat before he got out and slid behind the wheel. I fell asleep to the motion of the car as he drove.