Page 85 of Captive

The world around seemed fade away, light shifting into darkness. I knew in my heart what he was here to tell me and this time, I couldn’t stop the tears. “Okay.”

* * *

Anguish.

I couldn’t think clearly or even focus. I was aware that Travis had opened his truck door, guiding me inside. I even knew that he was driving somewhere, but I was so sick inside that I couldn’t have said a single thing.

As he drove away from the diner, all I wanted to do was curl into a ball, pretending that none of this was happening.

Or that I’d never met Nikolai in the first place. No, that’s not what I meant at all. I loved him. I needed him. I…

All the emotions, including anger and fear swept through me.

“What is going on? Please tell me, Travis. I can’t take it. I just can’t take it.” The words exploded from my mouth.

“I just want to go somewhere quiet first, okay? I promise it’s not far.” His answer was so very soft, totally unlike the brusque man who’d helped to protect me.

“Okay, I just…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence, but I knew he was in just as much pain. They were buddies. No, they’d been friends. I lowered my head, shaking all over. Somehow, I’d have to find my inner strength.

I grew antsy. Then I grew irritated.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” I snapped, hissing after doing so.

“Trust me.”

“What does that mean?”

Travis shifted his head in my direction. “It means exactly what I said.”

The change in his tone was odd. I counted to five, then ten. That was it. “Tell me right now what the hell is going on or I’ll get out of this car.”

“I heard you were this impetuous.”

“What do you mean you’ve heard?” When he didn’t answer but was forced to pull to a stoplight, I managed to open the door.

“Chloe! Do you honestly think I’d bring you all this way without a good reason?”

Exhaling, I snapped my head in his direction. “Then tell me where we’re going.”

“Just close the door and I will. It’s right up here. I thought this would give you comfort.”

Comfort. I bit my lower lip and waited as the light turned green. “Okay. I’m trusting you and I don’t trust anyone lightly nor will I ever again.” I closed the door, keeping my eyes locked on the windshield.

I heard him grumbling under his breath as he pressed down on the accelerator. He made another turn then a second into a nice neighborhood of beautiful cottages with well-manicured lawns. Maybe there was some kind of plaque or statue at one of the parks. A cold shiver remained and while I knew Travis would never do me any harm, that didn’t mean I wasn’t apprehensive. I couldn’t stand any additional heartache.

As I felt the pull of the truck change as Travis slowed down, I shifted my attention to the passenger window. While the street was well lit, a light on over the house he’d stopped in front of, I couldn’t tell if there was anything special about the yard or the surrounding area. He stopped the truck but said nothing.

“Am I supposed to know what the hell this is?” I demanded.

He remained quiet for a few seconds before turning in my direction. “Why don’t you go find out?”

In the shadowed light, I was able to catch an odd look on his face, a fight to contain a smile. “What is this?” I wasn’t certain my words were even audible. A strike of pain rushed into my heart and for a few seconds, I was certain he was playing a game with me. Then I heard a sound.

A dog barking. No, a puppy.

What. The. Fuck?

“Trust is exactly what you need, Chloe. Well, that and love. I think you have both in spades.”