Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

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.

eyes to the open door. Tyson is standing

Lifting the bowl to the same level as his eyes, he adds, "I made your favorite food-macaroni and

to the bathroom and empty my stomach in the

follows me and holds my hair back while rubbing my back as I

call Mose?" Ansel asks and I

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

my face before looking into the mirror. Tyson is

Tyson says. "Stupid of me for trying to do something nice

face him. “I didn't ask you to do

Tyson snarls before

legs give in and I grab Ansel's arm to steady myself. "I hope you won't

find Jason and get out of here tonight. Today, if

voice comes from the hall. "We need to get

me up in his

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,

"What happened?" Ansel asks.

to Jason when he told me 'tick, tock,' Given the last experience, I didn't want to

is in the shed. Did they

of his neck. "If there is, we have to find it before it detonates and

passes me to Rueben. I recoil at his touch and he glares at me but picks me up in his arms.

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

cradle