Tortured Soul Read Online Free PDF Page A

male part of me, and I cursed myself. Emily had experienced enough unwanted male appreciation; she certainly didn’t need my arrogant ass checking her out. Shaking my head in annoyance and pulling the professional mask quickly back into place, I kneeled at her side. I wondered if she realized that during her vulnerable moments of sleep, she curled in on her body in almost a protective embrace. During the brief time I had spent with Emily, she had put on a brave front, showing no fear and even less emotion. She had lain in her hospital bed, her body rigidly positioned on her back the entire time, her arms held tight at her sides. Right now she seemed to have slipped back into the physique of the violated girl she truly was. Her hair was slightly longer, and the color was a little lighter; it suited her. Her cheeks were rounder, too; someone had been taking care of her regardless of her situation. She looked younger than she had in the hospital, less severe and almost virtuous, but I knew better. The girl had been used and abused to a point that I wasn’t sure she could emotionally recover from. Knowing what I had to do, I sighed and reached out my hand, placing it firmly over her lips. Emily’s eyes opened immediately, stark terror and heart wrenching horror etched in her pale blue depths. To see such sickening fear filled me with a rage unlike any I had ever felt. I quickly raised my finger to my lips signaling her to be quiet. The distress didn’t leave her eyes, but she gave me a small nod.
    “Hey, Em,” I whispered. I had taken to calling her that in the hospital back in Claymont, where she had been recovering from the beating William Levier had given her. Rebecca called her Em, and I figured she would find solace in that familiarity. Emily’s eyes softened just slightly and I pulled my hand away from her full lips. “I need you to get up, it’s time to go.”
    She didn’t move, just stared at me, her eyes almost calculating. “Where?” she finally asked in a hushed tone.
    At least she hadn’t said no.
    “Away from here.”
    The fear was back in her eyes, and her head shook from side to side as she pushed herself into a sitting position. She seemed oblivious to the fact she was naked.
    “No arguing, Em, we don’t have time for it,” I quietly growled. “Get up and get dressed.”
    “I can’t and I won’t. My life is here. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to leave and I would never. That’s why Nate is the only guard, and even he knows I won’t go anywhere. He doesn’t even lock my door anymore,” she hissed.
    “Well, he locked you in tonight,” I noted, looking through her empty closets and wondering where the hell her clothes were kept. I could always take her as she was—naked—but some primal part of me didn’t want anyone else gazing upon her stunning form. I clenched my jaw tight and shook away that possessive line of thought. I noticed a hamper when I peeked through the bathroom door and was about to go check it, when Emily’s small voice caught my attention.
    “Because I’ve been sold and they probably thought I’d try and leave.”
    I stopped what I was doing, and my body became rigid. No emotion had laced her words, not a single speck of fear or revolt. I turned to face her, unmasked fury no doubt on my face. Emily didn’t flinch under my furious gaze though. She didn’t move to cover herself as most women might have done. She sat in front of me, her shoulders back, her head held high. Her beautiful breasts were outlined under the soft moonlight. I almost groaned out loud. After everything she had been through, she was still defiantly strong and beautiful—a perfect combination.
    “Get up,” I whispered in a voice I knew would spark life into her submissive nature. Her eyes flared with recognition and ever so slowly, in a hesitant and confused manner, she rose from the bed. When her head threatened to lower in submission, I caught her chin with my fingers and lifted her gaze