Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,108
is trying to knock them down. I won’t let him have the satisfaction of watching it happen.
“Get out.” The need to protect my emotions overtakes my fears of Travis hurting me.
“Lena, please listen to me.”
“Travis, I need you to fucking leave right now!” I screech. My throat feels raw from the intensity of the scream leaving my throat. “You’ve hurt me so much just fucking get out and leave me alone. Please, don’t make me beg you.”
Maybe he feels sorry for me because he was telling the truth, or maybe he knows he’s won me over with a lie. Either way, he saunters towards the door. Before leaving entirely, he pokes his head in through the crack.
“I’m not locking you in tonight. If you need me, open the door and ask. I’ll be able to hear you.” He doesn’t even shut the door all the way.
There isn’t a response I can utter without breaking down.
My heart tells me he’s lying. Someone as sweet, genuine, and selfless as Elias couldn’t possibly sell women or be responsible for Katie’s death, and at the same time have built me up and made me feel such wonderful things.
My heart tells me Travis is at blame. He’s dark and manipulative, possessive and controlling. Hasn’t he shown me before just how evil he can be? His history of putting his hands on me is evidence he’s culpable.
Then my head kicks in. Elias had a good explanation for what happened the night of his birthday. I accepted his reasoning, and his demeanor fit his story. But Travis knows details of that night that he shouldn’t. How would he know about Elias coming home late? Even if he was watching the apartment, he couldn’t possibly have known what time I expected Elias home. And the blood. It’s impossible that Travis would have been able to see it. The only clue I have to indict Travis on is the fact he was dating Katie, and his past proves he’s abusive towards women. Is it possible they were in on it together?
Head over heart, heart over head. How will I know which is right? I’m exhausted both mentally and physically and thinking so much is giving me a splitting headache. Curling up on my side, I try to picture Carly, letting myself imagine she’s sitting here with me. The only person left in my life who I can trust entirely in this moment.
As I’m drifting off to sleep, I conclude that it’s not fair to decide if he’s lying right now. The fact is Travis kidnapped me. Regardless if Elias is guilty or not, I need to find a way out of here. I can deal with the truth later. If pretending to believe the lie will set me free, I hope I’m one convincing actress.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
“Travis?”
The room is dark, the door still unlocked and open. Time to find my way out of this hellhole even if I have to die trying.
“Travis? I need you.” Keeping the revulsion out of my voice is next to impossible. I never thought I’d utter a sentence like that again in my life, but I’m desperate.
I listen with rapt attention. Hardly a few minutes pass before I hear the unmistakable thud of heavy boots along the wooden floor. The door creaks gently the remainder of the way open until the silhouette of Travis appears, filling the doorway. He slowly saunters over to the side of the mattress, looking down upon my still form. He drops to his knees on the edge, leaning in to brush his hand over my soiled hair draped against my swollen cheek.
“What’s the matter honey?” he asks.
It takes every ounce of willpower to repress the shudder inside of me. Willing myself to remain strong and confident, I force myself to relax.
“I’m so scared and upset. Everything you told me…I’m so confused. I just don’t want to be alone anymore.”
He visibly relaxes before me, letting out a low, deep sigh at my words. Collapsing forward, Travis wraps his arms around me, pulling my face into the crook of his neck. The gesture is familiar, one my body and mind recognize from three years ago, but much to my relief, it no longer brings comfort. I feel nothing lying here with his arms around me. Nothing except a loneliness and an ache deep in my chest for Elias, as if my heart is trying to call out to him.
“Sleep baby. I’ve got you again, and I’ll never let you go.”