I just nodded, unable to help the tears that kept coming. I blinked them away, watching as they fell onto Jackson’s shirt. I took in a shaky breath and looked into Jackson’s eyes. He held my gaze, looking past the hurt and fear, past the damage until he saw me, the real me.#p#分页标题#e#
He closed his eyes and kissed me, his lips gently pressing against mine. Warmth flowed through me as his kiss not only touched my lips but my soul. It was right then that I knew I needed him, that we needed each other. I leaned forward, opening my mouth just a little. I could feel Jackson’s heart race as he held me close.
“Are you sure this is okay?” he asked, pulling away a few inches
“Yes,” I whispered and put my hand over his chest, feeling his fast pulse. “I am sure. Is it for you?”
Jackson smiled. “Yes.”
My chest tightened. “I hope you don’t get sick from me,” I told him.
“It’d be worth it,” he said with a smile. He put his arms back around me and leaned against the wall. I relaxed against him.
The pipe rattled from the shower shutting off.
We sat up. My brow furrowed as I looked at Jackson. He put his hand on my cheek. “I wish I could stay with you,” he whispered.
I wrapped my hands around his shoulders. “Me too.” I closed my eyes and tipped my head up to see into his eyes. “You should go before you get caught.”
“I should.” His lips brushed against mine as he spoke, and he made no attempt to leave.
“Jackson,” I whispered. “Go. Before you get in trouble.” I had yet to release him from my embrace. He nodded again and stood, his hands lingering on mine before he walked across the basement.
“I’ll set medicine for Phoebe on the top step,” he said quietly and hurried to the base of the stairs. He grabbed the railing and put one foot on the first stair. “I’ll come back when I can.”
I gave him a small smile. “I know.”
I looked at the spot where he had just stood, heart aching already.
***
Several hours passed before the door opened. I knew right away it wasn’t Jackson. I stashed the book under my pillow and waited for Nate to walk down the steps. His eyes scanned the dim room.
“Where is the China girl? She was supposed to be ready ten minutes ago.”
“She’s from Vietnam,” I told him. Nate glared at me. “She’s in bed because she’s sick.” I gathered my strength and stood. “She needs to see a doctor.” I turned around, waving my hand at Phoebe. “All she needs is some antibiotics and she’ll be good as new.”
“Get her up,” Nate said calmly and looked at his gold watch. “Now.”
“Phoebe,” I said gently, turning to her cot. “Pheebs, wake up.”
Phoebe groggily sat up, rubbing her eyes.
Nate wrinkled his nose. “She looks awful. You’ll do,” he said to me. “Run a comb through your hair and come here.”
I swallowed hard and didn’t move.
“Now,” Nate repeated. When I stood in the same spot, he crossed the basement. I knew he would hit me, but I didn’t care.
My heart skipped a beat when he walked passed me. He stopped next to Phoebe’s cot and grabbed a handful of her hair, yanking her head up. Phoebe cried out in pain.
“Now.” He twisted his fingers.
Shaking with fear, I scurried to the vanity and picked up a brush. I raked it through my tangled hair as quickly as I could. I set it down and turned to Nate.
“Get dressed.”
I hurried to the dresser and put on a pair of shiny leggings, black boots, and a body-hugging red dress.
“Go upstairs,” he said and didn’t let go of Phoebe until I was halfway up the stairs.
Zane was at the top of the stairs. He grabbed my wrist and ushered me into his black Camaro after getting a warning from Nate not to let me be seen. Just when I wondered why he was even letting me leave the house, Nate said this was a long standing and trusted client who wouldn’t turn him in. I madly looked around for Jackson but didn’t see him anywhere.#p#分页标题#e#
Zane seemed bored as soon as we left the driveway. He plugged in his iPod and scrolled through his playlist, swerving each time he took his eyes off the road. I held onto the seat, digging my fingers into the leather, and tried to convince myself that getting into an accident could actually work in my favor.
Zane didn’t so much as look at me on the drive into Davenport. My heart raced with excited nerves. I was out of the house and in the city again. Could this be my chance? I could run, scream, do anything to make a fuss and get noticed.
We drove through downtown and ended up in a neighborhood full of townhouses, reminding me of the subdivision my grandparents lived in. Zane pulled into a driveway, put the car in park, and jumped out. He grabbed my hand and walked slowly to the door. If anyone saw us, they would assume we were a regular couple. I craned my neck, looking for someone to call out to, but there was no one around.