I lay down on the bed, then immediately sat back up when the door opened to reveal Kade carrying a tray laden with food.

“That was fast,” I said. “Thanks for bringing it up.”

He set the tray on the bed and sat down next to me. “I figured you’d be pretty hungry, and you still need to drink more water.”

I didn’t mind doing that and chugged some more from the glass on the tray. Mona had sent up a mix of cheeses, cured meats, and fruit. I wasn’t shy about eating my fill.

After watching me for a while, Kade asked, “So you want to tell me what happened?”

I shrugged. “Not much to tell,” I said around a mouthful of grape. “They stuffed me in a trunk. I passed out. When I woke, I was chained up. The sonofabitch dumped a couple dozen rats and a few copperheads in there with me and left. You showed up in the morning.” I left out the part about how terrified I’d been in the pitch-black, with things crawling on me and a snake too close for me to chance making a move. But from the look on Kade’s face as he watched my shaking hand snag another grape, I figured he already had a good idea of that part.

I sighed, my stomach full, and leaned back against the pillows. “Now tell me what I missed.”

Kade moved the tray to the dresser and resumed his position beside me. “Jared is getting the DNA tested on what you got against what was found on Kandi. Blane’s arraignment is set for tomorrow morning. I managed to work a few strings to hopefully keep Blane out of harm’s way.” As he spoke, he coaxed me into his arms and I went willingly, lying between his legs with my head resting on his chest.

His hand stroked my hair and I closed my eyes, exhaustion consuming every muscle in my body. I knew I should probably move away, but I couldn’t seem to make myself. I needed him, needed to breathe in his scent and savor the warmth of his body through the layers of fabric between us.

“I thought for sure you’d be dead when I found you,” he said after a while. “If I found you.” His voice was quiet.

“I thought I would be, too.”

“You’re the most vulnerable part of me,” he mused, his fingers threading through my hair. “A year ago, I would have killed you myself if I’d known.”

I swallowed hard and didn’t doubt him for a moment. “And now?” I asked, tipping my head back to look at him.

Our eyes met. “And now,” he murmured, “now I can’t let you go, no matter how much it costs me.” He pressed his lips to my forehead and I closed my eyes at the contact.

Kade cradled my head against his chest and I relaxed, thankful down to my bones for his presence in my life. And it was only then, as I was drifting off to sleep, that I realized I loved him.

When I woke it was dark outside. I’d slept the day away.

I sat up, realizing Kade was gone. He’d tucked a blanket around me, which I pulled away as I stood.

Fear crept over me in the dark room. Where was Kade? Was I alone in the house? What if that guy came back for me once he saw I’d escaped?

I groped for the light, feeling slightly embarrassed at the relief that flooded through me when I flicked on the switch and a warm glow dispelled the darkness. I shed Blane’s robe and pulled open the closet door. I really didn’t want to raise my arms above my head to dress and I searched frantically through the clothes. I saw a little summer dress with buttons down the front and grabbed it, but even pushing my arms through the short sleeves made me wince. I hurriedly buttoned it before going to the door.

I paused, opening the door just a crack and peering through. I wondered where Kade was and why he’d left me alone.

I knew Blane kept his guns in a cabinet in his den. Maybe it was unlocked.

Seeing no one in the hallway, I crept silently downstairs, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure it could be heard. Glancing at the grandfather clock as I passed, I realized it was late. I’d slept over twelve hours.

The den was empty and the gun case was locked tight. I muttered a curse, trying to think of what to do now.

Knives. The kitchen.

I headed that way, relief flooding through me when I heard Kade and Mona talking quietly. I heard my name and paused, unable to resist the temptation to listen in.

“… stay with Kathleen tonight,” Mona was saying.

“I’d planned on it,” Kade replied. “Leaving her alone right now is a bad idea.”

“Did you take care of the awful men who took her?”

“Yes. They won’t be back.”

“What about Gage?”

A pause. “He won’t be a problem, either.”

“Thank goodness,” Mona said with a sigh. “He was such an evil man.”

“And I’m not?”

“Don’t be silly. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with protecting those you love when the police can’t or won’t help.” She paused. “And I know you love her, Kade.”

“She loves Blane,” Kade dismissed.

“Does she? Things have been so crazy around here the past couple of weeks, I’d be surprised if she knows how she feels anymore.”

“She’s amazing, what she endured,” Kade said. “You should have seen where he left her, that fucking piece of shit.”

“Language,” Mona said mildly, “though I don’t disagree. And I don’t want to know—it’ll only upset me. I just thank God you found her.” I heard the rustle of fabric, as though she were hugging him, and decided I needed to stop eavesdropping.

I walked into the kitchen. “There you are,” I said to Kade a little breathlessly. “I was afraid everyone had gone.”

Mona looked pleasantly surprised to see me. “You’re up!” she said with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I said. “Thirsty.”

She went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle filled with a blue sports drink. “Here,” she said, handing it to me. “Gerard went to the store and got these for you in every flavor of the rainbow. Said he wanted to make sure there was one you liked.”

My heart squeezed and I took a big gulp of the fruity liquid, trying not to cry. I was sick of crying.

“Speaking of which,” she said, untying and removing the apron she wore, “I think I’ll head home. I’ll be back in the morning.” She gave me a hug. “Good night, dear.”

“Good night,” I said, hugging her back. “And thank you.”

She smiled and left through the kitchen door. I glanced at Kade, who was leaning against the counter. He frowned as he looked me up and down.

“What?”

“Why are you wearing that at this hour?” he asked.

I looked down at my dress. “I thought I was alone, and if that guy came back, I might need to run, or fight, or…” My voice trailed away. It had seemed like a good idea to get dressed at the time, though after sleeping so long, perhaps I hadn’t been thinking too clearly.

“You thought I’d leave you?”

“You were gone when I woke up,” I said with a shrug.

Kade stared at me, his expression unreadable.

I glanced away, taking another swallow of the sports drink. Suddenly, all I could think about was the revelation I’d had before falling asleep. I loved Kade, and maybe had for longer than I wanted to contemplate. And I could never, ever tell him.

I forced those thoughts from my mind. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. I could fall apart some other time. “Will that guy be back?” I asked. “The one who took me? Or his partner?”

“No, they won’t.” Kade didn’t elaborate.

“What, um—what happened to them?” I asked, still not meeting his eyes.

“You don’t want the details,” he said dryly. “Just know that if they came back, it’d be as ghosts.” There was a drink on the counter and he took a swallow. Vodka, I guessed.

“Hungry?” he asked, pushing himself away from the counter. “Mona made dinner and saved you a plate.” He went to the refrigerator without waiting for my answer and pulled out a dish, which he stuck in the microwave.

I stood awkwardly in silence, drinking until I’d finished the bottle.