Page 35 of Rescued By Midnight

We go through the intake forms I filled out, and she explains everything about what she is legally and ethically required to disclose, and how everything else I tell her is just between the two of us.

“Now,” she says, “in your own words, can you tell me why you’re in my office today?”

I have to keep emotion out of it, or I’ll break down. So I say, “I was kidnapped and held for thirteen months by my kidnapper. I’m here to…get over it, I guess. I want to return to my old life.”

She nods. “I can understand that. And this might seem odd, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to start talking about your life before the kidnapping? The life you want to return to?”

“Sure.”

ALICE - THEN

“You’re all dressed up. Where are you going?” Brayden leaned over my shoulder to peer at my phone.

“I’m meeting Landon and Cody.”

“Again?”

I turned my head to kiss his cheek. “I haven’t seen them in three weeks, Bray.”

He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his wispy, blond hair. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?” I sent a text to Landon and Cody, telling them I’d be a couple minutes late. Every time Brayden got wind I’d be hanging out with them, he always had something big to tell me, right before I was due to leave.

“The Church has some guidelines about friendships with members of the opposite sex.”

“Brayden. It’s possible to attend the church, to be members, and even to level up without following every single rule.” I gestured between us. “I mean, we’ve had sex and we’re not married, but the rules say not to, so, is that suddenly a problem for you, too?”

He scowled. “Don’t turn this around on me, Alice. I want a good future for us. A family.”

Ever since my parents died, I’d been obsessed with the idea of a big family. Seven Blessed Days was like a family in some ways, but despite my parents’ and the church’s best efforts, I never took to it completely. But building a family with Brayden would mean the world to me.

“Come on.” He came up behind me and nuzzled my neck, while toying with the bottom of my shirt, his fingers scratching lightly over my skin. “Tell me you want a family with me, Alice. Stay home with me and we can practice.”

My brain scrambled. He wanted me, he wanted a family with me. A silly brunch date with two friends meant nothing when compared to forming a family with the man I loved.

“Fine.” I leaned into his touch and sent a flimsy excuse to Landon and Cody, saying Brayden needed me. “I’ll cancel today. But I can’t cancel next time, okay? They’re my friends.”

“Sure, babe.” He was already hiking up my shirt.

Hours later, I checked my phone and saw that Landon had sent a text. Are you going to spend your whole life giving up pieces of yourself? Is this the future you want, Wonderland?

Of course it was the future I wanted. A husband. The chance at building a family. Growing in the church, moving up a level, and supporting Brayden so he could move up, too.

But I ignored the other part of Landon’s question—was I going to spend my whole life giving up pieces of myself?

14

LANDON - NOW

Alice’s therapy appointment should be ending soon, so I leave my office early and walk over to meet her. I could say that I’m here as protection. But Midnight Intelligence doesn’t specialize in that service—we usually recommend another local company, Ironwood, for that. Also, this part of San Esteban is safe enough, and she doesn’t need an escort. After all, she got here on her own.

I have no excuse to be here, except I want to see her.

She steps out of the building wearing a pair of jeans and a flowery blouse. Her hair falls in dark blond waves over her shoulders, looking temptingly touchable.

Her blue eyes light up with a smile when she sees me.

“Is this okay?” I ask. “I was in the neighborhood, but I just realized you might prefer to be alone after therapy. It used to wreck me sometimes.”