you’re the best friend a man can have. I’m proud of what we did today. It wasn’t easy, but by sticking together and to the plan, we survived. If we could do this, we can do anything.”
Savage wiped the sweat trickling down his face from his brow. Dirt stuck between his frown lines and suddenly he looked so much older and worn down than I’d ever seen him. “There’s no better partner than you. Granted, you’re a crazy motherfucker, but I wouldn’t trust my life to anyone else like I do you.”
I swallowed hard. “Hey, I’m going to put this sappy talk down to a sleepless night and all the shit that went down today. We’re not okay yet, so let’s not get carried away. It’s a far way home and until we touch down in LA, I’m going to be holding my fucking breath.”
We traveled in relative silence for the rest of the way. I watched as Savage’s eyelids grew heavier and how he fell asleep in spite of the bumpy ride. I stared up at the cloudless sky for the longest time, trying to imagine what Eva was doing at that moment, worried about whether she was okay.
Finally I gave in and closed my eyes too, falling into a restless kind of sleep, that strange space between consciousness and deep satisfying slumber. My entire body ached, yet I was too afraid to give myself over to the unconsciousness it yearned for.
Chapter 35 — Eva
All too soon, tomorrow had arrived. A shaft of bright light crept through a crack in the drawn curtains and threw a thin sharp line on the opposite wall. A new day was dawning. A fateful day. I shuddered and screwed my eyes closed, pretending it wasn’t happening.
I thought back to when I was a child and how tomorrow had seemed so far away, especially if it was the day before my birthday or Christmas.
It had been the longest night of my life. Sleep had evaded me as images of my future flashed through my mind. Tears had rolled down my cheeks into the pillow, but I was careful to not make a sound as I cried for every dream that would never see the light of day.
I’d begged him, and finally Nolan had given in and untied my wrists before he’d rolled over and fallen asleep. They still hurt from when I’d struggled to free myself, and I rubbed over the tender reddened skin.
When Harrison tied me up—with his handcuffs or whatever way he chose—it was sexy as sin. It didn’t leave me feeling powerless and lost; instead, I gave my submission willingly because I truly wanted to.
Holding my breath when I heard Nolan stir, I lay still and pretended to sleep. The mattress dipped as Nolan moved and got off the bed and went to take a pee. He hummed an upbeat tune while he had a shower and brushed his teeth. It took forever before he finally left the room.
With a heavy sigh, I rolled over and stared blankly at the wall. Tiny dust particles floated unhurried on the single beam of light from the window that had grown in intensity. Even though I was free to move around the room, I couldn’t make myself get out of the bed. I wanted to roll into a little ball, pull the covers over my head and fall asleep to never wake up.
Gravel crunched nearby, becoming louder and louder until it changed to quick heavy footsteps falling on concrete. I hugged my knees to my chest just like I had when I was a little girl and afraid of the dark.
A rapid, hard knock was followed by the door opening on squeaky hinges. I blinked as harsh sunlight streamed into the room. I’d been in darkness with the curtains drawn for so long that I had no real concept of what time it was. Not that I really cared anyway.
Jones’s large frame filled the doorway, blocking out the sunshine. He stepped inside with a young woman on his heels.
“It’s time to get ready. Senator Parker is expecting you in just over an hour. He’s arranging for a small ceremony. I brought Sofia to help you. Your dress will be delivered as soon as it arrives. Take a bath while you wait.”
My gaze fell on the pretty girl behind Jones. She was a lot younger than I was, with a dark olive complexion and a shy smile. She held a basket of toiletries in her