The Bad Boy's Secret (Book 1)

Chapter 30: Do I Need To Repeat Myself, Princess?

Was I dreaming?

No. 

I opened my eyes slowly, but everything was too blurry to make out.  My bones ached as I stretched my arms out against the plush surface of a bed.  My heart started to pick up speed, hammering so hard against my chest I could hear it.  The room I was in was dark, so it was impossible for my blurry eyes to see anything. 

                I was afraid to sit up.  I was afraid of what could be waiting for me on the other side of that door.  I was afraid this could be the end of everything for me…for Noah…

I let my shaking limbs push me up from the bed.  I I swung my feet over the edge, letting my bare feet meet the cold wood floor.  Once I was stood up, I pressed my hands to my body to feel my dress was still intact.  I wanted to breathe relief, but that wasn’t happening.

                I walked towards the door and pressed my ear against it to see if I could hear anything.  But I heard nothing.  There was no way I could be left alone.  Scott wouldn’t have done what he did if it was to just leave me here alone.  I just wanted to get out of here alive with Noah by my side.  But for some reason, I felt like that wasn’t going to happen.

                I put my hand on the door handle and pushed down slowly.  I opened the door, just a crack, to peek out.  The living area of the condo was dimly lit, but not impossible to see anything.  I opened the door wider and stepped out slowly.  I looked around, my eyes landing on a limp figure sitting in a chair facing away from me.

I didn’t think it was possible for my heart to beat any faster.

                I walked around the couch, making my way over to the folded frame.  When I realized it was Noah, I rushed towards him, nearly tripping over my own two feet.  I kneeled down in front of him, grasping his tied hands to remove the tape. “Willow…” He croaked, leaning his head up.

                “Noah,” I breathed.  “We have to get you out of here.”

                “No.  Just go.  Get out of here, now.”

I was afraid to look at the damage, but I had to look up at him.  “I can’t leave you like this.” I felt the tears sting my eyes.  Blood was running down the corner of his mouth, one of his eyes were swollen shut.  There was a long slit on his neck, leaking crimson.  It was a fresh cut.

                “Willow, get out of here, now!”

The growl in his voice made me jump.  But I continued tugging on the tape.  It wasn’t loosening up.  “Damn it!” I cried.  “I can’t do this.”

                “Please, go.” His please came out broken.  “I won’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you.”

I didn’t know what to say.  I know I didn’t want to do what he was asking, but I need to go get help.  I lightly caressed his face between my hands, kissing him quickly before taking off.  I opened the condo door, peeking out again and rushing towards the elevator.

                I pressed the elevator button just in time for it to open to reveal Scott. 

No.  “Oh good, you’re awake.” He smiled, stepping out for the doors to close.  “Where are you going, darling?”

Darling.  “You won’t get away with this.”

                “Says who?”

                “Me.”  In a flash, I kneed his groin and took off towards the end of the hall to find the stairs.

I heard my name being called from behind me, and Scott’s thundering footsteps.  I pushed the door for the stair case open, running down the first flight.  I could hear the door open and Scott was still yelling for me, his voice laced with a new kind of venom.