"I'm heading up to the field near the lake with her. I'm hoping when she sees it she'll recognize it from our dreams and feel more like everything that is happening is meant to be."
"You plan on telling her everything? 'Cause, man, this plan of yours could back fire big time. What you going to do if she just freaks out and runs off on you?"
"Yeah, I know. I'll see how she reacts before I go telling her anything. I can't wait much longer, Kit. She's my mate; I can't stand having her so close but not in my arms and in my life. She's as vital to me as air."
"Wow, powerful stuff there, Dominic. Well, you'll let me know if I can help you out."
"You already have, Kit. Letting her move in with you, I know you'll keep her protected. If you hadn't done that, I'm not sure what I would have done to make sure she was safe. Probably would have blown any chance I had with her, that's for sure. Then tonight, you dragged her in here."
Kit lifted her head and hands before lightly punching him in the arm.
"Oh no you don't, Dominic. Don't go all mushy on me. Save that shit for your mate who might just appreciate it. And you know full well you'd do the same for me. We're family, that's what we do."
Dominic wrapped his arm around Kit's shoulders for a quick side hug before nodding and releasing her. Yeah, they were family all right. She might not be his sister by birth, but just like all shifter-leopards they stuck together and had bonded as a family.
Chapter Seven
Kelly's mind was fuzzy as she hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness. She vaguely heard him grab the towel, wipe his face and chest, then tuck it into his back pocket. He lifted her down off the hook, causing a new wave of pain that knocked her firmly into the land of unconsciousness.
The sound of his boots hitting the floor upstairs brought her back to the land of the living. Damn, she hurt. Everywhere ached, everywhere except between her legs and that was going to hurt most of all in the morning. She lay in a broken heap on the floor, in a pool of her own blood where he'd left her like yesterday's garbage, sobbing on the inside for all she'd endured and all she was going to have to suffer.
As her brain began to come more fully back online, it registered she was still unchained. He must have thought she wouldn't be able to move for days from the pain, so he'd left her on the stone cold floor to absorb her agony and ponder what her future would hold. Sadistic bastard. What he didn't take into account was that with the knowledge he planned on raping her repeatedly from tomorrow on, she had all the motivation she needed to push past her physical pain. He was always telling her how strong she was, but he had no bloody idea just how strong she could be. He would. She vowed to herself she would escape or die trying--he was not having all of her.
Decision made, she began the struggle of convincing her body to agree with the plan. It took her probably an hour or so to get her limbs to listen to her mind's commands, but eventually her body began to move. She knew she had to get out now, while he thought she couldn't move. She would be chained again as soon as he woke up. She knew with all her soul if she didn't get out now, she never would. She sluggishly pulled herself over to his discarded t-shirt and gradually pulled it on. He'd worked up quite a sweat beating her so he'd taken it off, obviously forgetting about it.
Slowly but surely she dragged her tortured broken body to the door. Agony tore through her as she worked her way up the stairs. Every movement, no matter how small, hurt like all hell. Even breathing sent jagged waves of pain through her chest. Wincing, Kelly suspected he'd cracked her ribs again. Shivers racked through her as the chill invaded all the way to her marrow. The t-shirt didn't provide much warmth, but she didn't have any clothes left.
She made the top of the stairs, sighing in relief. Kelly paused for a few moments to catch her breath. She strained but all she could hear was a loud snore coming from his doorway. Kelly ground her teeth; the bastard had worn himself out beating her. She grimaced, realizing suddenly that on the up side, the racket of his snoring should cover any noise she might make. Normally, she could move without making a sound quite easily but injured like she was, she wasn't so confident of her skills.
Desperation boosted her energy. Kelly made the most of it and began to crawl over to the front door on all fours. Her eyes caught sight of Cole's shoes by the door. She glanced back to Cole's bedroom door; she knew she wouldn't make it far bare foot. Deciding the few moments to put them on were worth it, she wiped her sweaty palms on her t-shirt before she put the way-to-big shoes on. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed her feet wouldn't blister too badly. With adrenaline pumping through her veins, Kelly pulled herself upright and began moving. Breathing steadily to get past the pain, Kelly staggered out the front door as quietly as she could. Making sure to shut the door softy behind her, the last thing Kelly needed was for the cold night air to wake Cole up. At the end of drive, she tightened her fists and clenched her jaw. With determination Kelly started walking one baby step in front of the other--to her freedom from hell.