Darkness.
The world knew darkness the day the lights went out, but Lia didn’t know the true meaning of the word until three days later. That was when those who preyed on the weak had stolen the life she’d known. And since that time, Lia was the first to admit she was weak.
“You’re gonna be okay. What’s your name, sweetheart?” The voice penetrated the haze that had settled over Lia like a protective blanket. She didn’t want to break through the barrier that protected her from reality. Then she’d have tofeel. She wanted to stay numb.
“You with me, sweetheart? You’re going to be okay. We’re the good guys.”
The good guys. The words floated through her brain.Are there any of those left?
Lia didn’t believe him, but she didn’t have time to focus on that. He kept asking for her name, disrupting her self-imposed exile from reality. As awareness filtered through, so did the ache that throbbed all the way down to her bones. With every word, the pain intensified. Her face throbbed, and her scalp felt like it’d been torn off in chunks.
“What’s your name?”
“Lia,” she murmured, just to get him to shut up and leave her alone.
He didn’t ask again … at least not before the blessed darkness claimed her once more.
Lia surfaced against her will, but every time, she dragged herself back into the darkness; however, not before realizing she was no longer chained. She no longer smelled as her own filth. Crisp, white cotton sheets were tucked up around her body. She didn’t know who’d done it, but the white hurt her eyes after spending so much time in the dark.
The door opened, and a man stepped inside the dimly lit room. Lia slammed her eyes shut, not wanting him to know she was awake. Not that pretending to be asleep had saved her before; only banishing her consciousnessto that tiny corner of her mind had offered protection from them.
“I know you’re awake, sweetheart. I can tell by your breathing.”
Lia froze.
His voice was quiet, but the rumble reminded Lia of a thunderhead rolling in across the lake with a summer storm.
“No one’s going to hurt you. I know it’s going to take a long time before you believe that, but it’s true.”
She couldn’t stop the huff of disbelief that shifted her chest.Shit. He’ll know for sure I’m awake. Lia’s eyes snapped open, wanting awareness for the first time since her world was destroyed beyond recognition. She told herself it was because she wanted to see this new threat, but part of it wasthat voice.How could a voice that deep and masculine carry the promise of safety?
It couldn’t.
Lia shook off the crazy thoughts and bared her teeth.Yes, I’ve become an animal. Come at me, motherfucker, and I will tear you to shreds. Or at least go down swinging.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t laugh at her impossibly ridiculous display of courage. He came closer—but slowly.
“You’re gonna be okay. No need to get all worked up. I’m just here to check on you and see how you’re doing.”
That goddamn voice. It wrapped around her, and the comfort was even warmer and stronger than what the darkness had offered. He was the light.
“You saved me,” she breathed.
A short nod. “We got you out of there.”
Lia shook her head. “No.You saved me.You took me away from them.”
Another short nod. “You weren’t up to walking out under your own steam. We just helped you out. Sure you’d do the same.”
A showdown with crazy inbred rednecks who were armed better than the Michigan Militia for some bedraggled stranger?Ummm ... not likely.
Then again, Lia wasn’t built like this guy either. She catalogued his every trait: six-four if he was an inch, with a chest so dang wide it threatened to split the seams of his T-shirt. He didn’t look like a body-builder though. He was solid muscle, but it seemed like the kind of muscle a man developed because he used his body as a tool. A weapon.
In that moment, Lia knew this man was dangerous. And judging by the fact he’d carried her out of her worst nightmare—he was more dangerous than the crazy inbred and well-armed rednecks.
“Who are you?”
“I believe I asked you the same question several times, and I only got a little slip of a name. You up for a trade?”