Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
190. Olivia - Taken I

*I'm still dealing with that pain.*

Ansel arranges the pillows before helping me get in a comfortable position. It's been a few minutes since I came to my senses and after making sure I was okay, Jasper and Mose went to the kitchen to bring me something to eat, despite me insisting that I wasn't hungry. The pain in my lower abdomen is mainly gone, but I feel sick and I don't think I can stomach anything right now.

Ansel helps me put on a t-shirt and a pair of warm socks. "What happened? Was I too rough with you?"

He sounds worried and he isn't faking it either. I place a hand against his cheek, wanting to comfort him. "You were perfect. No one has ever made love to me before." A lump forms in my throat. "You are giving me so many firsts and I don't deserve them."

Why am I so vulnerable with him? It's been years since I've been so open with someone.

Ansel sits next to me on the bed. "You deserve to be happy and loved—”

I put a finger against his lips, not wanting him to say another word. "If you knew the things I did. If you understood the gravity of my actions, you would hate me as much as Tyson and Rueben do. You would regret bonding with me. It's not too late to break it."

His jaw clenches. “No, Honey. You are mine for eternity. And whatever you did, let me help you. Let me love you.” I shake my head, but he keeps talking. “What really happened the night Camila died?”

My chin trembles and tears fall down my cheeks. "I... It should have been me. This is all my fault. All of it."

Ansel pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. "You are safe now, Olivia. No one will ever harm you again."

"You don't understand. I broke "

Someone clears his throat, stopping me from revealing too much.

I drag my eyes to the open door. Tyson is standing there with a bowl in his hands.

"I see you are awake now." Lifting the bowl to the same level as his eyes, he adds, "I made your favorite food-macaroni and cheese."

Bile rises to my throat and I rush to the bathroom and empty my stomach in the toilet.

Ansel follows me and holds my hair back while rubbing my back as I vomit.

"Should I call Mose?" Ansel asks and I shake my head.

When the nausea passes, I go to the sink and rinse my mouth with water. "Tell Tyson that, while I appreciate his, um, gesture, I hate macaroni and cheese. Even thinking about it makes me sick." "I will." Ansel keeps rubbing my back.

I wash my face before looking into the mirror. Tyson is in the bathroom's doorframe, his shoulders stiff.

"I heard you," Tyson says. "Stupid of me for trying to do something nice for you."

I face him. “I didn't ask you to do anything for me.”

"Fuck you, bitch," Tyson snarls before storming out.

My legs give in and I grab Ansel's arm to steady myself. "I hope you won't fuck me, ever,” I mutter to myself.

I need to find Jason and get out of here tonight. Today, if possible.

Jasper's voice comes from the hall. "We need to get out of the house. Now! There's another bomb."

"Fuck," Ansel swears before lifting me up in his arms and running out of the house.

The others are in front of the kitchen and Ansel goes to them. Jasper is holding Miss Teapot's basket, the poor little cat hiding under a thin blanket. I never saw her leave the house and I wonder if she is scared. The air is so cold that I start shivering and I bury my face in Ansel's chest, shielding it from the brutal wind.

"What happened?" Ansel asks.

It is Rueben who replies. "I was in the shed, talking to Jason when he told me 'tick, tock,' Given the last experience, I didn't want to risk anything."

Jason is in the shed. Did they torture him?

Mose rubs the back of his neck. "If there is, we have to find it before it detonates and leaves us homeless."

Ansel passes me to Rueben. I recoil at his touch and he glares at me but picks me up in his arms. "What the fuck, Ansel?" Rueben snarls.

“Jasper and I have to go inside and look for the bomb while Tyson and Mose look around the house. Since we can't leave Olivia alone, I thought it would be best if she stayed with you,” Ansel replies. Looking at the others, he says, “Come on, we have a job to do!" Jasper and Ansel run inside the house while Mose and Tyson go to search the outside of the house, leaving me alone with Rueben, who drops me on the ground as soon as the others are out of sight.

I crawl to where Jasper left Miss Teapot and take her out of the basket and cradle her to my chest. She is shivering as hard as I am. "Where is Diva?" I ask.

"In the barn, keeping the other animals safe. Stay here," he says before disappearing behind the house.

Great. They left me here without clothes so I could freeze to death. On second thought, it doesn't sound that bad. Maybe when I am cold enough, I can close my eyes, fall asleep and never wake up. Not here, though. I need to find a secluded place where they won't find me until there's no turning back.

I stand.

First, I need to take Miss Teapot to the barn. She will be safe there with Diva and the horses. And Juniper.

Ignoring the cold and the wind whipping me, I make my way to the barn and slip inside. A portable heater is next to the entrance. At least they are not keeping the animals in the cold.

Diva comes to me and I put Miss Teapot on the ground and crouch.

"Who's the most beautiful girl around here?” I say as I pet Diva's head. She licks my face and for the first time in years, I giggle. I sound off, like a broken record and I inhale as deeply as my lungs allow me before saying, “You're tickling me.” Diva wiggles her ass and licks me so hard she almost knocks me down to the wooden floor.

I stand and Diva barks.

"As much as I would love to play with you, I am afraid I don't have a lot of time."

The door to the barn opens and I bite my bottom lip. I should have left when I had the chance.