I look down at my toes and follow Poppy down a long, narrow hallway. The guy who bought me follows close behind me. Maybe to keep an eye on hisinvestment? Maybe to make sure I don’t try to run, pass out, or get sick on their floors? I don’t know. My nerves are so fried right now, I can’t think straight.
We pass a bunch of closed doors, and my heart sinks. I wonder where they are taking me. What kind of hellhole they’ll toss me into. But my throat is dry, and my knees are too weak. I can’t run. I can’t ask questions. I can’t even fight. I feel a sting of tears as I whisper an apology against my daughter’s warm head.
How did I fail her so badly?
I follow Poppy wordlessly past door after door until, finally, she pulls a key from a pocket in her dress and unlocks a door.
“So, this room is yours.” Poppy waves a perfectly manicured hand around the space. She walks in, and I follow her. “Phantom got this for me as a surprise, but since I don’t need it, you can use this until we get you one of your own.”
I follow her hand and notice that she’s pointing to a crib. An actual crib. With sheets and baby blankets and everything. It’s white wood, and it looks brand-new. It’s beautiful. Like the crib I would have wanted for my daughter if she’d ever been able to have anything like that. She never has. I can hardly believe what I’m seeing.
I look from Poppy to the crib and back, not able to process what’s going on. I say nothing.
Poppy motions toward the closet. “I didn’t know your size, but when Phantom called to tell me you were coming, I grabbed a couple things from my closet athome and a few things from the girls here. There’s a bunch of sizes, and it’s all clean, so wear whatever you feel comfortable in until we can take you shopping.”
Take me shopping.
Take me shopping?
I look from her to the man who’s lingering just inside the doorway. He hasn’t come all the way in, as if he’s expecting some kind of invitation.
“I don’t understand,” I say quietly. “I don’t…”
Poppy’s grin fades a bit. I can’t tell if she’s angry or confused, but I brace for her to start screaming.
“Honey,” she says gently, “Savage will get you taken care of once you’re settled. But for tonight at least, will you mind using what we have here? I’m going to send one of the prospects to pick up diapers and formula. Whatever you need, just let me know. I’ll write it all down.”
Would I mind? Whatever I need? I have so many questions, I hardly know where to begin. But I ask the one I need to know the answer to the most. “Who is Savage?” I ask cautiously.
Poppy laughs. She jerks a thumb at the man in the doorway. “That’s him right there.”
Of course. The guy who bought me.
I nod. “And is this your room?” I look from the plain gray sheets to the light blankets on the bed. There are no personal items in this room. No photos or anything. A small couch, the crib, a double bed, and a dresser. It looks like there is a small closet, and then there’sanother door. Maybe that one connects to his room? Because this room sure doesn’t look lived-in.
Savage grunts and shakes his head. “My room’s down the hall. When I stay here at the compound, at least. This is a spare room for you and the baby. You’ll have total privacy at all times.”
Poppy holds up a key. “This locks the door from the outside. Phantom has a copy, but only in case of emergencies. It’s in a lockbox in his office. When you and your daughter are inside, you can lock the dead bolt. And when you leave, you can lock the door, but you really don’t have to.” She laughs. “I can’t imagine these guys breaking in for diapers.”
“If they’ve had enough to drink, I wouldn’t put anything past ’em.” Savage chuckles, but then, looking at me, he shakes his head. “You don’t need to worry,” he tells me. “They’ll keep it chill while you’re here.”
Poppy laughs again. “Before we moved in together, Phantom’s daughters would stay here all the time. A lot of the guys have girlfriends or kids. They know how to behave when there are kids around.”
She walks across the room and opens a small door. “Your room has a private bathroom, and I grabbed a couple of toiletries and some soap, but of course you’re going to need a lot more.” She pulls a cell phone out of her pocket and opens an app. “I’ll make a list. What size diapers does your daughter need? Any food allergies? What brand of food does she like?”
Poppy rattles off so many questions, and I can’tanswer any of them. I mumble answers, embarrassed to admit the truth.
Aurora eats whatever is cheapest. Whatever Anthony felt like picking up at the dollar store or the discount grocery mart.
What are they going to want from me in exchange for all of this? I can’t think about that now.
All I can do is take it one minute at a time.
Aurora starts fussing, and my whole brain shuts off to what’s around me. All that matters is my little girl.
“Hey, baby,” I coo, bouncing her lightly, her very wet diaper sloshing under my arms.
“Oh my God.” Poppy’s voice is soft and so reverent. She ducks her head, and her brows come together like she wants to cry. “Those are the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Look at you, angel.” She doesn’t move toward us, but a sheen of tears comes into her eyes. “What’s her name?”