Rose with a Thorn

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I felt something lightly covering my body while I slowly find my way out of consciousness. I tried to take in my surroundings before I opened my eyes, not knowing if someone was going to be in the room with me or not this time.

It felt like I was on a bed. There was definitely something soft under me. I moved my fingers slightly to confirm I wasn’t stuck in a dream… or dead.

I could hear people talking outside the door. I opened my eyes to find myself in a big, bright room. I looked around, taking in the surroundings of a normal looking bedroom. I sat up in a queen bed and the sheet covering me fell around my waist. The door was slightly open, but otherwise I was alone.

Just as that thought came to me, the door opened and in walked Michael. “We don’t have long so listen carefully. The window is unlocked so you’ll have to open it yourself once we leave. You can watch the truck pull onto the road, then count to 30 slowly before you move. The rest of the house is locked so don’t try to go out any other way or you’ll set off the alarm. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head, speechless that he was giving me this information. “Head towards the tree’s up front, I left a pair of shoes for you behind the third tree on the right. When you make it to the road, go straight across through the forest. I will pick you up on the other side of the bushes. You will have to move quickly, Rose. There will be a 15-minute gap before the next car comes. Keith isn’t going to tie you up this time, but the alarms will go off if you try to open any other door.”

I tried to absorb everything he was saying to me. I hoped he was right and I could trust him.

“She’s awake!” Michael called into the hall. I heard 2 sets of footsteps come towards me and I moved closer to the headboard while pulling the blanket up my chest. Keith walked in with the most beautiful man I had ever seen following behind him.

He was tall, with short, wavy brown hair. His eyes were a bright blue, and the smile he gave me was dazzling. I checked him out head to toe, admiring the muscles I could see clearly through his black jeans and T-shirt. As my eyes wandered back up to his face, he was watching me. I knew he caught me checking him out by the glint in his eyes and the smirk on his face.

Keith was watching me too, but I paid no attention to him until I heard his throat clear. I looked his way and gulped, realizing my mouth was hanging open slightly. “I’m glad you like what you see. This is Brandon. Starting tomorrow, he will be with you at all times. He may be beside you, or somewhere you can’t see. But believe me, he will always be there. You have free reign of the house for now, on the condition that you can behave yourself. Don’t try to leave, you won’t be able to.”

I didn’t know what to say. Three men were standing here looking at me. The eyes I felt the most were Brandon’s. I caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye... man was he ever smoking hot!

Keith continued. “We will be gone for a few hours for a meeting. Brandon and Michael will come back to get you and then you will join me for a business dinner. Take a shower, you stink. There are some clean clothes in the closet for you to pick something nice. Another team will be here in the next 15 to 20 minutes so if you want a private shower, I suggest you take it quickly.”

Keith started to walk out but stopped at the door. He turned toward me to say something but thought different and walked out. Brandon winked at me before he left, and Michael looked at the window then back at me with a nod.

I heard them leave through the front door and the alarm turned on. I rushed out of the bed and watched from the window as they drove down the driveway away from the house.

I ran over to the closet and saw a few dresses, 2 pairs of sweatpants, and a few T-shirts and sweaters. I looked at the bottom of the closet to see 4 pairs of high heels, all in different colors and styles. I couldn’t run in those!

I knew I was gross and needed to shower, but I was on limited time here. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants, a T-shirt, and a sweater. I went into the bathroom and washed my body quickly with one of the hand towels, before I threw on the clothes and tied the sweater around my waist. There were no socks or underwear anywhere, so I slipped my dirty socks on and threw my undies in the garbage.

I opened the drawer in the bathroom cabinet and saw a hair tie and deodorant. I quickly threw my hair up in a bun, wiped on some deodorant, and stuck it in the sweater pocket to take with me. I made my way back to the room and the window. I knew more than 30 seconds had passed, so I started to pull the window up. I couldn’t help but think it wasn’t going to work or it was going to be stuck, but luck was on my side for once today.

I stuck my head out the window to look down, but we were on the ground floor so there wasn’t a drop to the ground. I got my legs out and gently lowered myself. As soon as my body was fully out, I took off running away from the house.

Third tree, Michael said. There they were! Oh, my god, he really left me shoes. I slipped them on quickly and started running towards the road, hiding behind one tree at a time. I looked both ways but I saw nothing.

That was my chance! I took off running and didn’t stop until I was in several rows of trees. I hid behind a tree bent over trying to catch my breath. In the distance, I could hear a car coming on the road. I started running again.

The bush would’ve been hell to run through if all I had on was socks. There were fallen trees and rocks everywhere, but I didn’t care. I knew I had to keep running. In front of me, I could hear cars driving back and forth. I was so close to freedom, I could taste it. I pushed myself a little harder hearing the cars getting closer.

Behind me in the distance, I could hear shouting. Damn it. They knew I wasn’t there and are probably already on their way towards me now.

I finally made it to the clearing, and I saw a black SUV with black tinted windows running with their 4-ways on. I couldn't tell if anyone was in there, let alone if it was Michael waiting like he said. The brake lights turned on and I started to get nervous. Maybe if I just walked by quickly without looking, I'd be able to pass by without any difficulties.

I started making a wider half circle around the truck, when I heard the window rolling down. “Rose, get in! Quickly! We have to go!” I jumped in surprise at the sound of Michael’s voice.

I quickly made my way over. Right before I grabbed the handle, I heard the bushes behind me moving. I looked at Michael panicked, before glancing back at the sound. I pulled on the door handle when someone stepped out of the trees aiming a gun right at me.

“Don’t move... I will shoot.”

I raised my hands in the air knowing he probably would shoot me. I wasn’t sure what to do, but I refused to go back to Keith just to be used like come caged animal. I made the decision to jump in Michael’s truck at the same time he backed up between me and the man with the gun, yelling at me to get in.

I dove into the passenger seat when I heard a couple of ting sounds from the bullets hitting the side of the truck. I hadn’t closed the door before Michael took off driving!

“Don’t worry, you’re safe for now. Deep breaths, Rose. I promise you’re safe now.” I couldn’t help but hyperventilate knowing I was almost the target of one of those bullets!

As my heart rate slowed, I felt my body relax from all the adrenaline I had. Exhaustion started to take over, pulling me into the dark abyss I was so used to by now. Right before I passed out completely, I heard Michael speak.

“Rest easy, my daughter.”