Caught Up (Into Darkness Trilogy)

by Navessa Allen

“I can’t take this from you.” He made no move to accept it. “Why not?” “Because as mad as I am, I won’t steal your chance to get out.” “You’re not stealing it. I’m giving it to you.” I shook the papers. “I don’t want it.” He pushed them back at me. “Your happiness means more to me than my freedom. And don’t worry about me. I’m sure I’ll find some other way to get out.” Yeah, but will it be too late by then? I wondered. “You have to take it back,” I said, trying to stand. My head swam again, exhaustion and hunger and dehydration winning out as I started to tip sideways. Nic caught me before I fell. The world tilted, and suddenly, I was flat on my back on the bed, with him rising above me. His hands stroked my hair from my face, so gentle, like he would never hurt me. “Lauren? Are you okay?” He looked so worried, so helpless, that I finally let myself accept the fact that he hadn’t come here to harm me; he was only trying to make things right. “Please,” I implored him. “Take the deed. If you don’t, I’ll just find some way to give it back to you.” His hands stilled, cupping my face. “I don’t want to ruin your feelings about the club by being the building’s owner.” I shook my head. “Nothing could ever ruin my feelings about Velvet. This is your chance, Nic. You have to take it.” He frowned, but I could see the hope building in his eyes, so I pressed on. “If you’re really trying to make me happy, then keep the building. I could never live with myself if I knew my gain led to yo...