“Hey, this is the ladies room, get out, Maverick,” some girl yells, and I look at her with a snarl.
“Get out! Now!” I order, and they scamper from the room, and I lock the door behind me. Stepping slowly towards Presley, I whisper, “Beauty?” and she whips around, running into me. I wrap my arms around her little waist, taking a deep inhale of her scent. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay. You’re safe now,” I whisper, rubbing my hands up and down her back as her nails dig intomy chest while she sobs. “Hey, hey, look at me. Let me see those eyes,” I tell her, lifting her chin as her sea blue eyes shine brightly with sadness.
“Beast. I-I…” She trails off, and I lean down, pressing my lips against hers. She pulls me closer as I back her up and lift her by the backs of the thighs and place her down on the sink. I cup her face, deepening the kiss, letting my tongue explore her mouth that I missed so fucking much. She slides her hands underneath my shirt, making me shiver at her touch. She pulls away, reaching up and running her finger down my jaw.
“I missed you, Beast,” she breathes.
“I miss you so much, Beauty. Are you okay? We’ve been calling you like crazy. I’ve been to the house and—”
“You have to back off. All of you! We…” She looks down and I lift her chin, forcing her to look up at me.
“What? What do you mean?” I ask frantically.
“I-I have to be with him, we can’t do this. I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” she stammers, and my heart drops.
“No–they hurt you. How can you want to be with him?” I ask, feeling like she just stabbed me in the chest.
“This is not about what I want. I have no choice. No voice. No say. Don’t you get that. I’m surprised I was left alone this long with you. I don’t have any privacy. No fucking peace except for fifth period and after school, but Mr. Radley picks me up every day except for Fridays. That’s it. 1 period a day and 1 day a week,” she informs me, and I growl.
“We will come up with a plan. I promise we will get you out of there. This is bullshit. We are all going crazy without you,” I tell her, and she nods.
“I know, and I’m going just as crazy. How’s Axel and Harley? Please tell me they are okay,” she begs, and I shake my head,
“Axel’s at Hillsboro. He’s not doing good or talking,” I tell her, and she gasps as tears fall from her eyes.
“Shit! I need to see him. We need to figure a way to get me out of here so I can go see him. He needs me. If we show him I’m okay, he will be okay. Right?” she asks, looking hopeful, and I’m hoping she is the trick.
“That’s what I’m guessing,” I answer just as pounding on the door has her jumping. “Listen, meet me every day for fifth period. Library? Art room? Outside? Those are the three places I’ll come looking for you. But meet me. Promise me you’ll be there,” I beg, and she smiles.
“I will do my best. Get in the stall and I’ll walk out alone. Count to thirty and then come out,” she says, pressing her lips against mine, and I wrap my arms tightly around her not wanting to let go.
“See you soon, Beauty.” I wink, walking into the stall and sitting on the toilet. I listen as she opens the door and walks out yelling at someone.
If all I can get is one hour with her a day, That’s what I’ll do, and I’ll make it the best hour of her fucking life so she remembers who she belongs to.
Chapter 5
Caspian
Standing in the basement, I check the product we need to deliver tonight while holding an ice pack to my face. We were at the Mill this afternoon and went in the ring against Jameson and Spade. Needless to say, we got our asses handed to us. Now I’m moping around even more mad after getting suspended when that motherfucker Jacob Lee just got a slap on the wrist.Daddy saved him yet again. Fucking bullshit!
Then I get my ass kicked and reprimanded by Harley. Can’t see my girl, and now I have to meet up with The Aces to make the drop! To say I’m having a shit fucking day is an understatement.
Luckily, I get to see Axel tomorrow. I really need him to behave in there so he can come home soon. He’s been making it extremely difficult to have visitation on top of refusing to let us see him. He won’t allow anyone to see him but Presley. If it’s not her, he throws a whole fit, like a child. It’s heartbreaking and maddening to witness. We don’t know what is going on in there, and he won’t tell us, but I know—I fucking feel it in my bones— that he’s being harmed, and I’m not there to slay his demons. I saw how one of the orderlies eyed my brother like he was a piece of meat. If I find out he’s laid a finger on Axel, he’s dead. I already have eyes on him—actually, on all of the orderlies, and soon to be on all the doctors.
After the life he’s lived, I trust no one around him, especially with his voice gone again. I tighten my hands into fists just thinking about how they took his voice away from him in such a short amount of time. We made such huge strides with him—now? It’s all gone to shit. My phone beeping in my pocket takes me out of my thoughts. Reaching inside my jeans, I pull it out and read the message from one of my soldiers.
Nick:
Jacob Lee is having a party in the tunnels tonight.
A wicked smile spreads across my face, and I place the icepack down on the table.
Me:
If she shows up with him or at all. Let me know.
Nick:
