He stepped back and gestured toward that awful thing. “Better go then.”

I climbed to my feet and stretched the deep ache from my body, then I suffered the indignity of squatting over the bucket while he watched, inked arms crossed as a corner of his mouth turned up. Once I’d relieved my bladder, I stood, unsure of where to put my hands. If I folded them over my chest, I might anger him, so I let them dangle at my sides.

“Follow me,” he said, “and don’t do anything stupid unless you want to end up back down here.”

I scurried up the stairs after him, each step landing with uncertainty. We entered a large kitchen where a burst of sunshine streamed through the skylight. Dark clouds roiled, a sign another storm threatened on the horizon and the rays were only a temporary reprieve. I searched the area beyond the windows and found thick and sodden greenery outside. A door off the kitchen drew my attention, and I wondered what my odds were of making it outside before he grabbed me.

I was peeking into the adjacent living room, as the cabin took advantage of an open floor plan, when he said, “You reek. Shower’s that way.” He indicated a bathroom straight ahead and to the left of the dining table. “Towel’s on the rack. You’ve got five minutes before I come in after you.”

I hurried inside and plopped down on the toilet, shaking too much to do anything else. I lowered my head between my knees and breathed deep. Five in, hold, five out. Repeat. By the time I stood on jittery legs, I’d lost at least two of my five minutes. Another thirty seconds passed as I puzzled over how to escape, but the bathroom was a windowless cubicle with no way out. As I switched on the shower and stepped inside the stall, I wondered where I’d go if I did manage to break free. I’d been an instant away from leaving my house, duffle packed, when he’d shown up. How stupid, considering I hadn’t put together even the flimsiest of plans, and if Zach ever tracked me down…I didn’t want to think of how he’d punish me for running.

A shiver went through me, and I quickly washed up before drying off with a towel. Despite spending the last few days in the nude, exiting the bathroom sans-clothing felt exceptionally violating. I finger-combed some of the tangles from my dark locks and returned to the dining area.

Rafe had his back to me, bent over with his head in the refrigerator, and I almost ran for it, except fear of what he’d do if I failed paralyzed me. But the real reason I didn’t run was harder to stomach. I wasn’t ready to leave. Some masochistic shred of my being didn’t want to walk away from him yet, even though staying defied logic and common sense.

Reality check, Alex. He’s kidnapped you, drugged you, and he’s obviously not right in the head. Run for it, stupid!