Chapter 6

Soraya’s POV

Despite the raging cold outside, I woke up warm and for the first time in a long while, I woke up on my own terms.

I didn’t get up yet but rather sank into the bed as my mind subconsciously remembered when I woke up to a drunk and angry Matthew who suddenly remembered I had hugged someone too tight you the previous night… or perhaps I was snoring too much.

How stupid I was to hold onto the image of a man that I had lost a long time ago!

Then I tried to move and the ache that had been so minimal yesterday hit me while my throat burned.

I sucked in a breath, ignoring the pain as I pushed myself up just enough to look around the room.

Honestly I didn’t care if I ever left this room because all that mattered for now was that we were alive, it made the desperate attempt I had taken to escape worth it.

Did it really not matter with those men around?

My heart began to pound again as I recalled waking up to see them staring at me with confusion and unmistakable desire raging in their eyes.

I was more surprised at my reaction at their stares, though it burned me, I had convinced myself that no man wanted my baggage and basked in the warmth their gaze provided.

Shaking my head, I pushed away those thoughts and I scanned the room more carefully this time.

There were no windows within reach and that explained the room’s warmth.

I pressed my lips together, fighting the rising panic as I saw the bolt on the door which I hadn’t noticed before.

Stay calm and be small.

That had always been the rule with Matthew and that had saved me from some of his punishments.

I shifted carefully, suddenly aware of the cuts I had gotten whilst on my way here.

Someone had cleaned me as my hair was now dry and brushed loosely while the cuts on my hands had been bandaged.

I didn’t know what to feel about that, these men were strangers and the thought of one entering here whilst I was sleeping and dressing my wounds rubbed me off in a weird way.

Someone moved closer and pecked in causing me to fall back down and pretend to be asleep, although I regretted moving so quickly almost immediately as pain spread through my body.

I held my breath, straining to hear as they argued right in front of my door.

“…not safe…”

“…timing…”

“…can’t be a coincidence…”

I couldn’t make out who was speaking, but I could sense the tension and suspicion in their words.

It was obvious that they still didn’t know what to do about me and the only reason they hadn’t thrown me out is because they weren’t aware of the target in my back… and I had no voice.

The door opened without warning causing me to flinch so hard I nearly fell off the bed, scrambling backward until my spine hit the headboard.

The man who entered paused immediately, taking in my reaction.

It was the one with glasses.

I didn’t know his name yet, but something about him stood apart from the others. With his eyes still on me, he closed the door behind him softly.

“You’re safe. For now.”

For now?

My heart hammered painfully against my ribs as his gaze held me captive… he didn’t come closer rather, he leaned back against the wall near the door, his arms crossed loosely.

“Can you understand me?” he asked and I held back the sarcastic reply and I nodded immediately.

His gaze flicked to my throat, then back to my face. “You can’t speak or you won’t speak.”

It wasn’t a question.

I shook my head, embarrassed by how quickly tears filled my eyes again perhaps I felt like he was on top on me holding me in place… he was far more intimidating than Mattew ever was.

“All right, then we’ll keep this simple.” He pushed away from the wall and took one careful step forward, causing me to tense but forced myself not to recoil.

“What’s your name?”

I met his gaze and hesitated, before I shook my head.

“Smart,” he murmured. “Where are you from?”

I shook my head again.

His lips pressed together slightly, but he didn’t seem angry.

“Is anyone looking for you? I mean are you in some sought of trouble?”

The question sent a jolt of fear through me so sharp it nearly stole my breath. Lucas eyes however never left me as he studied not only the expressive look on my face but my reactions to his questions.

Matt’s voice echoed in my head.

‘I’ll find you. No matter where you go.’

I shook my head violently and Luca’s eyes narrowed as I avoided his eyes.

“That complicates things,” he said, more to himself than to me.

He straightened. “You won’t be leaving the house.”

I nodded again.

“For your own safety,” he added. “And ours.”

He turned to leave when I managed to say.

“Water,” I croaked, the sound startled even me as it barely sounded human.

He stood there, his eyes unreadable, as he held my gaze for what seemed like minutes before finally said, “You should’ve said something earlier.”

My throat ached as I swallowed. “Didn’t… want to.” I thought I had said to myself until I see his mouth twitch.

He turned almost immediately and came back minutes later with a water and cold sandwich with a small pouch of almonds.

“Eat,” he ordered. “Slowly,”

I reached for the bottle with trembling hands, uncapped it, and drank. The water was cold, clean and it hurt going down.

I was just realizing that I hadn’t taken anything whilst I was in survival mode from Matthew’s place to the airport down to the time the plane crashed.

“Thank you,” I whispered, biting into the cold sandwich.

He didn’t acknowledge it.

And I almost felt like retracting my thank you especially since the sandwich tastes like what was made a month ago.

“No wandering about the people’s room.” He suddenly added as though

“Pee?”

He frowned and stared at me, “you can only visit the toilet and kitchen, otherwise don’t move unless one of us tells you to.”

I nodded quickly.

“Heyyy,” I said before I could stop myself, causing him to pause and look back over his shoulder.

“Why are you being nice to me?”

He didn’t say anything as he left, shutting the door behind him.

I sagged back against the bed, shaking.

I didn’t know how long I stayed like that, staring at the ceiling, listening to the storm rage outside.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under again.

When I woke up the second time, the room was darker and the only thing that illuminated it was a candle which I’m guessing the person that and brought food had lit up.

My first thought wa sto reject the food but hunger won.

I ate slowly, savoring each bite like it might be my last and when I finished, I curled back under the blankets, that was when I heard them again.

I slid quietly from the bed, padding to the door and pressing my ear against the door .

“It’s safe to talk, she has been asleep for a while.” I heard one of them say.

“…weather’s turning so the shipment is coming in tomorrow…”

“…can’t risk exposure…”

My heart pounded.

“…she is harmless…” it was really hard to hear what they were saying.

“So was she but you know father knows how to set the best traps…”

A shiver ran down my spine.

These men weren’t hiding from the law. It made me wonder if the boss that had saved me from Matthew had purposely placed me in that place and caused it to crash.

I shook my head at that thought.

Why would he go through the trouble to put me here when I had nothing but another man’s child to offer?

I retreated from the door slowly, wrapping my arms around myself listening as the storm outside howled louder.

What if I was the spy like they thought I was?