Page 41 of Rescued By Midnight

That glint of determination in his icy blue eyes.

The ache at my ankle wasn’t blankets—it was a shackle.

Horror moved through me. I was sinking, sinking into the quicksand of this new nightmare. My lungs strained as I tried to claw my way out of it, but there was no escape.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. He was here, next to me. The man who took me from the park.

LANDON - NOW

I’m not sure what wakes me up. I slept great, with my arms around Alice. She’s still here, in front of me. I breathed in her sweet, coconut scent all night. Could I have roused her, and myself, and gotten us to our own beds? Technically, yeah. But I didn’t have the willpower. Holding her felt too good.

But now something’s wrong. This must be what woke me.

She’s shaking, her body tense, her fists clenched like she’s ready to throw a punch.

“Alice, I think you’re having a nightmare,” I whisper. “Wake up, angel.”

Her breathing is shallow.

I run my hand over her shoulder, trying to wake her as gently as possible. Whatever she’s in the middle of, whatever horrors her mind is concocting, it’s bad.

Her fear-filled whimper is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.

Cody starts past the living room, on his way to the kitchen. He pauses mid-step. “What’s going on?”

“Nightmare,” I say. “Or panic attack.”

He changes course and hurries over. “Alice? Wake up, Wonderland.” He touches her forehead, leans in and listens to her breathing. “Panic attack, I think. Nothing for her but to get through it.”

I hold her, feeling helpless. She doesn’t seem aware of us at all.

“Angel, come on.” As carefully as I can, I ease her up to a sitting position. Her body remains curled in on itself, like she’s trying to make herself as small as possible.

“Alice, it’s Cody,” he says. “Can I get you anything?”

She shakes her head, the movement so subtle I almost miss it. But this is a start. She’s conscious, at least.

“See if you can match Landon’s breathing,” he says, giving me a look.

“Breathe with me,” I tell her. I start at her breathing speed, then slowly extend my inhales and exhales. At first, it doesn’t seem like it’s working. Then her breathing slows. It’s still too fast, but we’re getting there. I keep steady, working with her, knowing that she can feel the rising and falling of my chest behind her.

“Relax your eyes and face.” Cody touches her cheek. “Start with your eyes, baby.”

Her eyes unscrunch slightly. Cody massages her forehead, his touch soft and full of care.

He can act pissed all he wants—he still has feelings for Alice.

A few more minutes pass. I keep my breaths slow and even. Soon, her pace matches mine. Her eyes open and she blinks up at Cody.

He drops his hand from her face. “How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted. I’m sorry—I woke up here, and I thought I was there, and it threw me, I guess?” She pulls forward, out of my grasp.

I don’t want to let her go, but she’s been held back by men for too long. When she stands, Cody hovers nearby, as if ready to catch her.

“I’m okay.” She gives him a quick smile. “Truly. Thanks for helping me. I swear I’m not trying to be the least convenient houseguest ever?—”

“Stop it, please.” I touch her shoulder, drawing her into a hug. “You aren’t a guest—you’re our friend, Wonderland. You belong here, and if you have a panic attack, we’re here to help you with it. That’s what friends do.”