Chapter Five

Stay or leave? Both options sucked but if Shadow found out who she was, or if her brother sent one of his men to pick her up, or if Fernando came here himself … things would get really messy. Camilla struggled to catch her breath, her chest feeling tight and constricted. She felt she was suffocating, like the walls of the room were closing in on her.

A knock on the door made her jump, and she opened it without thinking, only to stare at Shadow. She gasped and his smile faded and now he looked at her with concern.

" Camilla?" he asked, setting his bags down at a nearby table.

Food, she realized, and a black shirt peeked out from the other paper bag. Clothes. Could this biker be even sweeter?

" Can't breathe," she whispered.

"Hey, it's okay," he murmured soothingly, his voice soft and reassuring.

"Focus on my voice, Camilla," Shadow said. He moved his hand to her back and began rubbing soothing circles there. "Take slow, deep breaths. In and out."

Following his instructions, Camilla closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing, the sound of Shadow's calm voice guiding her through each inhale and exhale. Gradually, the tightness in her chest began to ease, replaced by a sense of calmness washing over her. Opening her eyes, she found herself gazing into Shadow's reassuring gaze.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Shadow curved his lips into a sexy smile as he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair away from her face.

"You don't have to do anything alone, Camilla," he said softly. "I'll always be here for you."

Reluctantly, Camilla pulled away from him, her defenses still up.

"Do you have a habit of making such lofty promises to women you've just met?" she asked lightly, unable to hide the skepticism in her voice.

"No, just you," Shadow replied, meeting her gaze.

Her heart hammered in her chest at his words, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through her veins.

"For all you know, I'm not a good person," she whispered.

"No one deserves to go through what you and the other women did," Shadow answered. "And I'd like to get to know you better, no matter what you decide to do next."

"Even if I live halfway across the country?" Camilla joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

In truth, the cartel's main headquarters was just two towns away. Part of her felt guilty for not reaching out to Fernando immediately. Despite their complex relationship, he was still her brother. He was family, but if she contacted him now, then whatever she had with Shadow would end.

Her brother would insist on keeping her close. Fernando might not even allow her outside the compound for awhile and she'd feel like a prisoner all over again.

Shadow was undeterred. "Distance doesn't scare me, Camilla," Shadow murmured, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine as he reached out to cup her cheek.

In that moment, she felt a rush of emotions flooding through her, overwhelming her senses. Unable to resist the pull between them, she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips against his, the kiss soft yet filled with an undeniable passion.

It felt like time stood still, as if they were the only two people in the world, lost in the moment. Shadow secured his hand on the back of her neck and she parted her lips so he could thrust his tongue down her throat. Once again, her body betrayed her. Her nipples hardened and she grew wet between her legs. Part of her hoped he'd take advantage but Camilla also understood she wasn't ready for that step yet.

They both drew back at the same time. Camilla was still panting a little. She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as they broke the kiss. Slowing down was a good idea, she reminded herself.

As she looked into Shadow's eyes, she saw a flicker of understanding, a silent agreement that they were both on the same page.

"Are you hungry?" Shadow asked, his voice breaking the silence that enveloped them. "Breakfast's getting cold."

" I am," she said, smiling. " But I think I ' ll take a quick shower first."

" Sure thing," Shadow replied, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before she disappeared into the bathroom.

She took her time, luxuriating under the warm water. When she emerged, dressed in the clothes he had brought for her, she noticed Shadow was browsing through the TV channels. He turned it off when he spotted her.

They finally sat down to eat. Camilla could sense that Shadow was holding himself back from asking a question. Instead, he told her about his MC brothers arranging transport for the other rescued women.

Relief washed over her at those words. They had all been through hell and back again, and knowing that the other women would soon be reunited with their families brought her a sense of peace.

Honestly, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy toward some of them for having a support system in place. But admitting that out loud made her feel petty, so she kept the thought to herself.

"Last night you told me you weren't ready to contact your friends and family … what about now?" Shadow finally asked her, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Camilla's heart skipped a beat. Was that the question he'd been holding back from asking all this time? She took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding.

"Things at home were complicated even before my abduction," she admitted.

She refrained from sharing any additional details. The less Shadow knew about her, the better. But deep down, Camilla felt like a hypocrite.

She didn't want to go back home, because she wanted to spend time with him, to know him better. It was a selfish wish, she knew, but she'd spent most of her life under her brother's shadow. Being part of his organization made it difficult to carve out a path of her own.

As Fernando frequently reminded her, his enemies would always try to use his weaknesses against him … and Camilla was that weakness.

She didn't want to drag Shadow into her mess, but at the same time, she couldn't deny the chemistry between them. For the first time in her life, Camilla wanted something, someone.

"Well, that's fine. Whenever you're ready," Shadow said.

He wouldn't push her into anything she wasn't ready for. That was a relief.

" That reminds me, this is for you," he said.

As she watched, Shadow pulled out something from one of the unopened bags. It was a cell phone. Camilla's heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. He really was so thoughtful, anticipating her needs without her even having to voice them. She reached out to take the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she held it in her hands.

"Thank you," she murmured.

It meant more to her than she could express. With this simple gesture, Shadow was giving her a lifeline, a way to reach out to her brother, whenever she wanted.

Shadow didn't press her about her circumstances either. Maybe he thought she needed time to come to terms with everything that had happened.

"I do have a plan," Camilla said. It was a plan she had concocted in the solitude of the shower, but it felt right, at least for now.

"Oh?" Shadow lifted his eyebrows in surprise. His curiosity obviously piqued.

"I think … I want to stay here in Hanging Grove a little longer," Camilla said. "Maybe find a job if anyone's hiring, and figure things out on my own."

"Sounds solid," he said with a nod. "I'm glad you decided to stay."

Camilla felt a wave of relief wash over her at his words. It was a small step, but it was a step forward nonetheless.

****

"You ready?" Shadow asked, causing her to startle slightly.

She glanced up at him, offering a small smile. "My shift ends in fifteen minutes," she reminded him, gesturing toward the clock on the wall.

Shadow followed her gaze and nodded, his expression unreadable. Camilla noticed her manager, Ted, shooting them both a disapproving look from behind the counter.

Ted had been understanding enough to offer her this job, despite her lack of experience in the food and beverage industry. She knew he harbored his own reservations about the Death Seekers, but like many others in town, he also recognized the protection they provided.

"I'll wait outside," Shadow said, before he turned and left the diner.

Camilla watched him go, feeling a flutter of anticipation mixed with nervousness in her chest. A week had passed since Shadow got her out of that hell.

By now, all the rescued women had gone back home, except her. She had made progress. Shadow helped her find a studio apartment near the diner, and work kept her busy.

She finished up her tasks and prepared to leave. Camilla understood she couldn ' t delay calling her brother any longer, but tonight, she wanted it to just be her and Shadow. She left her workplace.

Camilla's heart skipped a beat as she spotted Shadow leaning against his Harley, a cigarette between his fingers. The sight of him ignited a warmth in her chest she couldn't quite explain.

Shadow extinguished his smoke as soon as he caught sight of her approaching.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

Camilla felt a surge of excitement coursing through her veins. She nodded eagerly.

"Been looking forward to this the whole day," she admitted with a shy smile.

Shadow chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. He reached under the seat of his motorcycle and pulled out a spare helmet, holding it out to her.

As she reached to take it, he gently placed it on her head, his fingers lingering against her skin for a moment longer than necessary. That one touch made her body temperature soar.

Before she could fully process the intensity of the moment, Shadow leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. Camilla melted into the embrace, her heart soaring with an indescribable feeling of longing and desire.

When they finally parted, she found herself breathless and exhilarated. With the helmet secured in place, Camilla climbed onto the back of Shadow's bike, wrapping her arms around his waist as he started the engine.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see," Shadow replied with a grin.

The roar of the engine filled the night air as Shadow revved the motorcycle, and Camilla clung to him tightly, relishing the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The wind whipped against her face, tousling her hair as they sped through the empty streets, the world passing by in a blur.

In moments like these, Camilla felt utterly free, liberated from the shadows of her past and the weight of her responsibilities. There was something exhilarating about the open road stretching out before them.

She had made the choice to stay in Hanging Grove, to carve out a new path for herself, and in that moment, she had no regrets.

They soon left the main town area. Shadow stopped by the side of the road. Dismounting from the motorcycle, Shadow helped Camilla off, his hand lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary. After keeping their helmets, he held out his hand to her.

" This way," he said.

She hesitated, but only for a moment, as she gazed at the pine trees ahead of them.

" Trust me," he murmured and she realized she did.

Camilla trusted this biker with everything he was. It was a short hike through the woods and Shadow ended up leading her to a secluded spot by the lake. She gasped at the sight. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a gentle glow over the water's surface, creating an enchanting ambiance.

They walked hand in hand toward the edge of the lake, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet the only sound in the stillness of the night. Finding a comfortable spot to sit, they settled down, their shoulders brushing against each other as they gazed out at the tranquil scene before them.

Shadow reached into the backpack he had brought along and pulled out a blanket, spreading it out on the ground. He gestured for Camilla to sit beside him, and she obliged, her heart fluttering at the closeness between them. With a smile, Shadow produced a small picnic basket, filled with an assortment of cheeses, fruits, and wine.

Camilla thought they'd eat dinner in town, maybe see a movie, but this was next level.

" No one's ever done anything so special for me," she murmured. "And this spot is beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," Shadow said.

They started digging into the food. Shadow poured them two glasses of wine.

"I come here sometimes to think," Shadow said. " Sometimes I reflect on the mistakes I made."

Shadow had told her about his old girlfriend Trish, and she knew he still thought of her passing.

" I won't make the same mistakes I did with you that I did with Trish," Shadow said.

Camilla ' s heart hammered at hearing the protectiveness in his voice. She knew he was a man who kept his promises. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry for what you went through," she said softly.

Shadow turned to look at her. "Thank you, Camilla," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've brought light into my life in ways I never thought possible."

Their eyes met, and in that moment, Camilla felt a connection unlike any she had experienced before. It was as if they were two souls, drawn together by fate, finding solace and understanding in each other's presence.

As they continued to eat and talk, the night stretched on. Camilla couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy and at peace, and she silently thanked whatever forces had brought her and Shadow together.

Eventually, they finished their meal. With a contented sigh, Camilla leaned back against the blanket, feeling the warmth of Shadow's presence beside her.

"Thank you for tonight," she said, turning to look at him with a smile. "It's been perfect."

Shadow reached out, gently brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "It's been my pleasure," he said. With his heated gaze on her, a surge of boldness filled Camilla.

Over the week, he'd been nothing but a gentleman to her. Camilla suspected Shadow had been holding back, on account of her recent hellish experience. She no longer wanted slow . After all, she couldn't keep running from her past forever. Eventually, she had to confront it, so she could fight for a possible future with Shadow.

Feeling emboldened, she stood up and started taking off her clothes. " Camilla, " he murmured, voice turning hoarse.

" Take off your clothes as well," she said.

He grinned and complied. Once they were both naked, he lay back down. Camilla straddled him. He was letting her lead the dance, she realized. Was it because he thought she was still vulnerable, fragile as glass?

Tonight, Camilla decided, she was going to prove him wrong. She leaned over to kiss him and Shadow returned her kiss with a rough and bruising one. Exactly what she needed at that moment. At the same time, he reached for one of her breasts, massaging it, before pinching her tightening nipples.

Camilla moaned as he released her from the kiss. She slid herself lower, positioning her slick pussy against his cock, which was already thick and full, the tip leaking pre-cum. Then she lowered herself over his prick, slowly and carefully.

Groaning, Shadow gripped her thighs, keeping her balanced. Finally, she had taken all of him.

" Baby, you feel so good and tight," he murmured. " Ride me."

Camilla did, starting at a slow pace before building herself up. " Shadow," she murmured, panting, hoping he heard the silent plea in her words.

He did. Shadow gripped her shoulders and reversed their positions, so he was now on top of her. He pinned her hands above her head, not to restrain her but to hold her fingers down. He slanted his mouth over hers and every logical thought in her head emptied out as he entered her.

Shadow pushed in and out of her. She gasped when he found her G-spot and kept going at it again and again, until he reduced them both to needy animals in heat. Her nipples tightened to sensitive points. She was so wet, so hungry for him.

" I ' m close," she whispered.

Shadow sealed her mouth with another mind-blowing kiss and at his next thrust, the pressure building inside her burst open. Her mind flew a thousand feet in the air. The surrounding lake and trees faded from her line of sight.

Shadow pumped in and out of her a few more times, before climaxing and filling her with his seed. It occured to her that they didn't bother with protection, but then again, she wasn't worried.

Camilla trusted him without reserve. A dangerous feeling, but what did it matter? She was happier than she'd ever been in her life. Let her brother think she was dead. They were both better off that way. She might regret that thought tomorrow, but tonight she was content to bask in Shadow's warmth.

He pulled out of her and collapsed next to her. Camilla curled closer to him. Shadow tugged her close, wrapping his arms and legs around her so tightly, as if he was afraid she'd somehow slipped away from his grasp.