Free A to Zane by Cherie Nicholls

your victim.
    Abby waited for him to step closer, just a few more inches, and they’d have him. It was a shame the authorities hadn’t been able to deal with him. But he never left anything behind that allowed them to pin the crimes on him. He did the crimes; he openly admitted it to anyone who’d listen. The witnesses all seemed to have convenient “unfortunate accidents” as soon as they were approached by the police.
    She prepared for the attack, knew the second he was going to move. Feet planted firmly, she waited for him to make his move. All her concentration was focused on him.
    “He said you’d be here, just a little present for me.”
    “Wait, what?” Abby asked. The blow came then, a punch straight to her face. Abby dropped like a rock, hitting the ground hard. The last thing she was aware of was a roar so loud she was sure a couple of windows shattered. Then the blessed darkness claimed her, taking away the pain.

    What the hell! You were supposed to protect her!
    Abby drifted, fighting to wake up, trying to hold on to the voices she heard, but the blackness took her again.
    I’m here, baby. Just let the doctor check you out.
    The voice called to her, but she couldn’t hold on to it. She slipped back into unconsciousness.
    She won’t wake up? Why won’t she wake up?
    She wanted to. She tried so hard, but her mind rebelled against her, dragging her into darkness.
    We need to get her somewhere safe.
    Abby longed to turn into the arms that held her, but the pain in her head was too much. God. She wondered if it would be wrong to ask them to cut her head off. Anything was better than this.
    It’s okay, baby, I’ve got you.

    She took an inventory of her body. Nothing seemed to be broken. Her ribs and left arm were sore but usable. The only thing causing real pain was her head.
    A groan escaped her.
    “Abby?”
    Her mother’s voice was comforting. It was nice of her to come up, but how did she manage to get here so fast?
    “Honey, are you awake?”
    Abby managed to pry one eye open and tried for a smile. It wasn’t her best, she had to admit.
    “Oh my little girl, you’re awake.” Her mother gently lifted her so she could hug Abby before laying her back down. “I’m so glad you woke up. I was worried there for a minute. That large man was not happy when they brought you here. I’m glad your father was here because I was this close to skinning him myself.”
    Abby’s throat was so dry. Her mother must have known because a glass of water and straw appeared before her.
    “Sip slowly, honey, slowly now.” Abby drank her fill, and then lay back. “Right. I’ll go and tell the others you’re awake. Your gentleman friend will be very happy.”
    Gentleman friend?
    Abby didn’t get a chance to find out who her friend was. Sleep claimed her once again.
    When she woke up the next time, it was dark. The pain was still there, but it was more bearable. She took in the shadows of the room she was in, shapes and forms all around her. It was her room, not a room in a hospital, or her room at her apartment. It was her room, the one in her mother’s house.
    Abby rolled onto her less painful side and snuggled into the man lying there.
    “I’ve got you, baby,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
    The hair on his chest tickled her nose. “You’re too hairy.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”
    It was a dream she’d had a lot over the last week. Abby didn’t mind that it wasn’t real because the feel and scent of Zane made her feel better.
    “Sleep, baby, I’m not going anywhere.”
    Abby snuggled down and let the sleep claim her, safe in Zane’s arms.
    *
    Zane looked down at the top of Abby’s head as she burrowed in closer to his chest and pushed a leg between his. With one arm wrapped around her waist and the other across the top of the pillow covered in her hair, Zane didn’t think he could get any closer, but it still didn’t feel like