Soul by Audrey Carlan Read Free Book Online Page B

for the stalker to be my ex-boyfriend, Daniel McBride. It never once dawned on me that he could have a nefarious and demented side to him. During our relationship, he’d been nothing but kind, generous and sweet. Treated me like a queen. Always. Even helped me get that restraining order against Justin when I needed one.
    Justin. Another pawn in Danny’s game. Made me wonder if he did have something to do with Justin’s death. I’d bet money on it. Justin was not the type of man to take his own life, especially without leaving some type of manifesto or legacy behind. Plus, the cops found no suicide note.
    “How long have I been out?” I push into the mattress and try to sit up. My muscles ache and lock in protest.
    “Two days.” Chase’s voice is heavy, as if he’s been carrying around an anvil the last couple days. I close my eyes and try not to let that destroy the warm feeling I have being here, safe, and with the man I love. The man I’m meant to love.
    “You’ve been worried.” It’s a rhetorical statement. I can see the shadows underneath his eyes, the gray pallor to his usually tanned skin, and the weight he’s lost. At least ten pounds in the past week. Though I’m absolutely certain I look no better. Before the wedding, I’d lost a lot of weight. Worrying about Phillip, then Bree, and the attack by Justin, and planning our wedding. Add abduction to that list, and you’ve got a woman who’s normally a curvy, size eight who’s now probably a size two.
    “I’m just elated you’re back, that you’re awake and on the mend.”
    I scooch as much as I can to the side even though my limbs and muscles protest aggressively, sending lightning bolts of pain throughout my body. Clenching my teeth, I move to the side. “Get in. I can feel my eyes getting heavy, and you look dead on your feet.”
    “No, you need your space to rest.”
    “I need no such thing from you. Believe me, I’ll rest far better if you’re holding me.” I quirk a brow but the drugs they’ve got me on make me slur my words. I’m going down fast. Chase kicks off his shoes and, with great care, centers his body on the space I’ve offered. “I wish you had your shirt off.” I mutter into his polo shirt. He chuckles and runs his fingers through my hair. It’s heavenly. With measured movements he massages my scalp with the pads of his fingers, avoiding the bumps that must surely be there, then trails his hands out, allowing the curls to fall through his fingers. Chase does this over and over. Sandalwood and citrus fill my nostrils reminding me of the safest place in the world. Chase’s arms. I snuggle my face in and let out a deep sigh.
    “I love you, Chase,” I whisper.
    “I love you, more,” he says my own words back to me, and I know from here on out, I’m going to be okay.
Chase
    She’s so beautiful. Even with black eyes and swollen cheeks I can hardly catch my breath looking at her. Little puffs of air slip from her split lips, and I want so badly to kiss her, ravage her, prove she’s mine. That caveman inside, the one I try to curb for her sake is roaring with the need to mark and possess. Only my marks wouldn’t need bandages or medication. That piece of shit put his hands on her. Her chest was bruised…again by an attacker. Did he violate her?
    The team did a rape kit when she was unconscious and didn’t find semen or bruising, so I have to hope his abuse never got that far. Her body, though, is covered from head to toe in bruises. The shackles at her ankles and wrists cut deep grooves into the tender flesh. Dr. Dutera has her on a hoard of antibiotics, anti-fungals, and a host of other drugs. It’s a miracle she didn’t sustain any broken bones. I’m thankful beyond measure that she isn’t more damaged. She will heal from this, and if he didn’t violate her, the healing process will progress more smoothly.
    I shift the blanket and scan her form from head to toe. Aside from the bruises, cuts, and scrapes