Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“I think the crackers you let me nibble on earlier along with the water will let me get clean first.” I cringed as I fingered my hair. “I’m not sure even a shower is gonna fix this mess.”
Mama put her arm around me, effectively removing me from Gunnar’s reach with little effort. I looked over my shoulder and whimpered before I could stop myself.
Gunnar immediately stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern as he reached for me, taking my hand in his firm grip. “What’s wrong, Pippa? Are you in pain?”
I shook my head, feeling foolish. “No, I just… I don’t want you to leave.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
His expression softened. “I’m not going anywhere, Pippa. I’ll be here when you’re done getting cleaned up. If it will make you feel better, I’ll stand guard outside the bathroom. You need me -- for anything -- call out and I’ll break the Goddamned door down to get to you.” The more he said, the fiercer his expression, the tighter his hold on my hand until he tugged me away from Mama and wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace.
Mama patted my arm reassuringly, trying to extract me from Gunnar’s hold, but he simply growled at her. Instead of backing down, this tiny, grandmotherly woman pulled me away from Gunnar with gentle encouragement. “Don’t you worry, dear. Gunnar will be waiting for you when you’re ready. Now let’s get you that shower so you can feel more like yourself.”
I nodded, allowing Mama to guide me into the house. As we walked, I glanced back one more time to see Gunnar watching me intently. The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.
Once inside the house, Mama led me to a bedroom in the back of the house. “There are fresh towels and unopened toiletries in the bathroom just there.” She pointed to a door in the back corner which was slightly ajar. “Take as long as you need. I’ve brought you a few things until Angel and Hannah get here with more for the longer haul.” She dropped a small bundle of items on the bed just as Gunnar entered the room.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything.”
Mama patted my shoulder gently. “You’re safe now. That one will see to it you stay that way.” She nodded in Gunnar’s direction. “If there’s something you need that I missed, let Gunnar know and I’ll bring it to you.” She handed me a small flip phone. “It’s not fancy, but it will let you do what you need. It’s also easy to part with if you get in a pinch and are afraid someone is tracking you.”
“I hadn’t even thought of that,” I whispered. Looking up at Gunnar I know I looked wide-eyed and afraid. “Do you think they’ll come after me?”
“Honey, we didn’t leave anyone alive in that fucking hellhole, and Torpedo’s people cleaned any evidence anyone was ever there. Even if someone suspects what went down, there’s no proof of anything, digital or physical.”
“But --”
Gunnar cut me off. “But if someone comes after us, we’ve got backup. And I’ll protect you with my life. No one’s gonna hurt you again, Pippa.”
The sincere determination on his face settled something inside me. I was still kind of numb -- I was still a little woozy from the lingering effects of the drug I’d been given -- but it was easier to relax. The shower I was getting ready to take might actually make me feel human on the outside now that my insides were feeling better.
“OK.” It was an inane thing to say, but I believed everything Gunnar said. With my whole being.
He gave me the most heartbreakingly gentle smile I’d ever seen, and tears threatened to overwhelm me. “OK,” he whispered.
I took the clothing Mama had given me into the bathroom and shut the door, leaning back against it. I took in great gulps of air as I slid to the floor, my legs no longer able to support me. I wanted to cry. Wanted to scream and rage against the whole fucking world and people who could do such evil to other people for money. Maybe I had more of my dad in me than my mother wanted because, right now, I wished those bastards were still alive so I could kill them myself.
I forced myself to take several deep breaths, trying to calm the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. The urge to break down was strong, but I knew if I started crying now I might not stop. And I desperately wanted to feel clean again.
With my body trembling, I pushed myself up off the floor and started peeling off the clothing I’d been given after Mama’s exam. The need to feel human again overrode my exhaustion. If I sat on the floor of the shower and fell asleep, at least some more of the grime would be gone.