HE SAVED ME AND MADE ME HIS

Questions unanswered

Jane

I lay back against the plush pillows, the pounding ache in my head a relentless drumbeat. Caleb’s words still hung in the air, heavy and impossible: “I’ve known who you are for a very long time.” How could he know me? I was nobody,just a college student working late at my mother’s shop. Yet, there was something about his gaze,too calm, too certain that made my skin crawl.

I sat up slowly, pulling the silk duvet tightly against me. The cool air from the window sent a shiver down my spine. Outside, the sky was still pale blue, but the stillness inside this room was suffocating. I could still see the shadow of the black SUV, lurking in my memory like a ghost, and the absence of my mother’s voice made me feel more alone than ever.

Before panic could consume me, a soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

“Miss can I come in?” a woman’s gentle voice called, and my heart lurched. I tried to steady my voice. “Come in,” I called, wrapping the blanket tighter around me, as if it could shield me from the truth.

A woman in her forties stepped in with a warm smile, though her brow was furrowed with concern. “I brought you some clothes,” she said softly, laying a simple cotton dress on the chair by the bed. “You’ve been asleep since last night.”

My throat was tight as I forced a nod, slipping my legs off the bed. My fingers shook as I reached for the dress, and every movement felt like a struggle against a dream that wouldn’t end. “My mother,” I finally whispered, my voice cracking. “Where is she? I need to call her.”

The woman sat down at the foot of the bed, her hands folded in her lap. “I don’t know much yet, dear, but the doctors say you were found unconscious near the docks. Caleb…Mr. Wick brought you here after he found you. He says you were taken.”

I shook my head, still clinging to the edge of reality. “Taken?..

The woman sighed, her eyes softening. “I don’t have all the details, but the police are involved. They’ll be looking for you soon. Until then, Mr. Wick says you’re safest here.”

Safest here with someone I barely know ? My chest tightened. I couldn’t fully trust him, even if he saved me. His calm demeanor masked something deeper, something I couldn’t name.

I stood, the dress falling softly around me. As I took a few steps toward the window, the brightness outside felt surreal. I needed clarity. I needed to call my mother, but my phone was gone. “I need to get out of here,” I whispered to myself, though the words felt heavy, like chains holding me in place.

She left me to dress, but her gaze lingered as she closed the door. Alone again, I breathed deeply, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on me. How long had Caleb known me? What was it that made him save me? And could I trust him when every instinct told me to run?

I didn’t know who Caleb Wick really was, but I knew I couldn’t rest until I understood why he was so familiar with me when I had never seen him before.

I turned away from the window and looked at the door.

My mother.

That thought came rushing back, stronger than everything else.

I needed to know if she was safe.

I needed to hear her voice.

I hurried toward the door and pulled it open, only to find the woman from before standing a few feet away in the hallway.

She looked surprised to see me.

“Miss August, you should be resting.”

“I need my phone.”

Her expression changed.

“I’m sorry?”

“My phone. I need to call my mother.”

She hesitated.

That hesitation made my stomach twist.

“Where is she?” I asked.

“Your mother?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know, dear.”

“You don’t know?”

She shook her head gently.

“I only know what Mr. Wick has told me.”

“And what exactly has he told you?”

She looked down the hallway before lowering her voice.

“That you were brought here after being found in a dangerous situation. He said you weren’t safe going home.”

My heart sank.

“Then why hasn’t anyone contacted my mother?”

“I believe Mr. Wick is handling that.”

“Handling it?”

My voice rose.

“She has no idea where I am!”

She reached for my arm, but I stepped back.

“I need to speak to him.”

“Miss August—”

“Where is he?”

She sighed.

“His study.”

I didn’t wait for anything else.

I walked down the hallway, ignoring the strange looks from the staff I passed. The mansion seemed even larger now that I was standing in it. Every polished floor, every expensive painting, every enormous window reminded me that I was nowhere near my mother’s little apartment.

I stopped in front of a large wooden door.

I raised my hand and knocked.

Nothing.

I knocked again.

Still nothing.

I pushed the door open.

Caleb stood behind a large desk, his back facing me. He was speaking on the phone, his voice low and serious.

“I don’t care how much it costs. Find them.”

He paused.

“And I want every camera from the eastern route checked.”

My hand tightened around the door.

He ended the call and turned.

His gray eyes immediately found mine.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I came for answers.”

His expression remained unreadable.

“I told you everything you need to know.”

“No, you didn’t.”

I stepped into the room.

“You said you knew me.”

Silence.

“You said people were looking for me.”

Another step.

“You said I was taken.”

My voice trembled despite my attempt to sound brave.

“But you haven’t told me why.”

Caleb’s jaw tightened.

“I don’t have all the answers.”

“Then give me the ones you do have.”

He stared at me for several seconds before looking away.

“Your mother is safe.”

My heart stopped.

“You know where she is?”

“Yes.”

“Take me to her.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not safe.”

I laughed bitterly.

“Nothing about this is safe!”

His eyes darkened.

“Jane.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You don’t get to say my name like you know me. You don’t get to lock me in this beautiful house and expect me to sit quietly while my mother worries about me.”

“I am not locking you in.”

“Then let me leave.”

He didn’t answer.

That silence told me everything.

I stepped closer.

“You’re keeping me here.”

“To protect you.”

“From who?”

His expression changed.

For the first time, I saw something beneath his calm exterior.

Fear.

Not for himself.

For me.

“From the people who took you.”

My breath caught.

“They’re still looking for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Caleb’s gaze dropped for a moment before returning to mine.

“Because you saw something you weren’t supposed to see.”

I stared at him.

“I don’t remember seeing anything.”

“You will.”

A chill ran through me.

Before I could ask another question, a loud sound echoed through the mansion.

Bang.

I jumped.

Caleb immediately moved toward me.

Another bang.

This time, it sounded closer.

His entire demeanor changed.

The calm man I’d been questioning disappeared.

“Stay here.”

“What is happening?”

He didn’t answer.

He reached beneath his desk and pulled something out.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“What the hell is that?”

His eyes met mine.

“Jane, get behind me.”

Another sound echoed from downstairs.

Then came shouting.

And suddenly, the mansion lights went out.

Darkness swallowed the room.

I heard Caleb curse under his breath.

Then his hand found mine.

“Don’t let go.”

My heart pounded as he pulled me toward him.

“Caleb, what’s happening?”

He didn’t answer.

A few seconds later, a phone began ringing somewhere in the darkness.

Caleb froze.

The sound stopped.

Then his own phone vibrated in his pocket.

He pulled it out.

The screen illuminated his face.

He read the message.

His expression changed completely.

“What is it?” I whispered.

He looked at me.

And for the first time since I’d met him, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.

“They found you.”

My blood ran cold.

A second message appeared on his phone.

Caleb read it silently.

Then he looked at me and said,

“They’re not here for me, Jane.”

He tightened his grip around my hand.

“They’re here for you.”