“Hello, Angel.”

Cooper’s calm voice rang through the basement of whatever house he had locked you in. You couldn’t escape, even if you tried—and you had tried multiple times. He had seen every single attempt through the cameras he had set up, watching every little thing you did. How you shivered under the snug blanket he got you while you slept in only your panties. It was a punishment, and he knew that, slowly yet surely, you wouldn’t repeat your mistakes. And you didn’t.

He noticed how the glares you sent him turned into stares of curiosity. He let you in on how he ran things, as if he weren’t hiding you in his basement. As if you weren’t only his to see.

He crouched by your bedside, his strong hand reaching for your cheek, caressing it with all the care in the world, as if you were made of delicate porcelain. He didn’t want to hurt you—he never did. Only when you acted irrationally did he have to do something. The cuffs chained to the walls behind your mattress had gone unused for a year.

Your kidnapper leaned down, pressing his lips to your forehead, and suddenly, you felt loved. His gentleness never failed to make you feel warm, as if he knew all you ever wanted was to be taken care of. And he did know. He had stalked you for months before capturing you.

“You’ve been so good for me these past few weeks, hm?” he murmured, a soft smile on his lips. “Maybe it’s time I get you some more cute clothes.” A chuckle left him as he stood. When he left, you felt lonely. But you knew he would come back. He always did.

Soon, he returned with his laptop, settling beside you. The mattress wasn’t comfortable, he noticed. He’d have to fix that.

“You ready?” He set the laptop in front of you, entering the password. He never hid it. He never locked the door.

He trusted you.

And somehow, against all logic, you trusted him too.

All you had ever wanted was to feel loved and safe. And now you did.

All because of him.