Equity (Balance Sheet #3) Read Online Free Page B

Tears leaked from my eyes. I felt helpless.
    I had no time to process how Kalen had found me before my room was flooded with bodies. I swore I saw Matt with his hands around Kitty’s neck. But then it was Turner’s kind face that filled my vision. My hand reached to push back the lock of brown hair that flopped into his face. I only saw for a second before my vision blurred again with tears. This time happy ones.
    His thumbs wiped them away before working my gag free. At the same time, I felt my binds loosen at my legs. I drew them to my side, trying to form a ball. Turner murmured words I didn’t understand before he turned to release my arm.
    I took the opportunity to look in the direction where I thought I saw Kalen. He stood there like a valiant knight, all beautiful and dangerous, as someone spoke to him. For the briefest of seconds, I thought his eyes found mine. Then Turner was back, blocking my view. When my arms were free I completed that ball. I gave into the grief, pain, relief and shame, and sobbed.
    Turner was at my back, stroking my hair, trying to give me comfort. Little did he know, his touch made me cry harder. When I finally opened my eyes, I looked to see the room still crowded. But when I glanced around, Kalen was gone. A pair of jean-clad legs stepped in my vision. With quick breaths, I looked up to find Matt staring down at me.
    My eyes closed on his pity. Matt was a cop, trained to interrogate. He no doubt caught me looking for Kalen. I sobbed again. The bed dipped and I was sandwiched between two guys who cared about me. But they weren’t the comfort I wanted.
    Matt brushed away strands of damp hair that were pressed to my face. “I know this is hard, but I need you to tell me everything.”
    This wasn’t something I relished. I just wanted to get far away. But I’d seen enough cop shows to know it wasn’t that easy. I would likely be repeating this tale numerous times before I could go home. And where was home?
    “I don’t remember much in the beginning. He, I think, came from behind with something sweet smelling in his hand and covered my mouth with it. After that, I woke up here.”
    Matt interrupted me. “When you woke up, how did you feel?”
    “A little sick and confused,” I admitted.
    Matt nodded. “Go on.”
    I proceeded to tell him everything as I remembered it, including my trip to the bathroom. I looked away when I mentioned how complacent I’d been allowing myself to be bound again without trying anything to free myself. Matt’s face held no judgment.
    Once I finished, Matt rubbed his knuckles across my cheek after he seemed to release a breath. “I’m glad you are okay.” He stared in my eyes a long time. “I have to go talk to some other people. Turner will stay with you.” He nodded at Turner who was still at my back.
    Rolling over, I buried my face in Turner’s chest and let him hold me while I let loose a second round of tears.
    My nightmare seemed to crawl on while we waited. I wasn’t allowed to leave. A guy I didn’t know came over and began to explain how I needed to modify my story if I wanted my captors to remain behind bars. I couldn’t tell the truth. I had to take the glory for my own rescue. When it was explained that they’d used some questionable methods to obtain the intel in order to find me, I understood all too well. Stories of rapist and murderers getting off on technicalities weren’t an infrequent occurrence.
    Although I could argue that two wrongs didn’t make a right, my anger was so close to the surface that I agreed. The story was that after I went to the bathroom and came back, I faked tripping. Stumbling into the guy, he came down and I landed with the camera between us. The girl got tangled up, and I reached for the injections of the knock-out stuff they’d given me. I got a lucky shot into the girl’s neck and another dose to the guy. Then I called the police.
    The worst part was they had to leave me alone with those two for me