"I ran after Blackmore as he was putting Cassie into his limo, and he shot me. That about sums it up."
"He needs to be taken down. Jayme, what do you need? Men? Guns? Just name it, and we will get it. This shit has gone on too long. I’m sick of being worried for the women of my club because of sick fucks like him." Thankfully, she is on our side because she can get scary when she’s mad. "Ok, you rest, and Jayme, you can call me when you figure out what is needed. I’ll be in touch, boys." I hear a soft buzzing noise.
It's Jayme’s phone. An unknown number is calling. Jayme answers it and puts it on speaker.
“Hello?” He says.
*Ah, Morelli. How is everything on your end today? Missing something?*He says snidely.
"What do I owe the pleasure, Blackmore? Ready to return, Cassie?"
I hear laughing from the other end of the line.
*You won’t be seeing her any time soon, Morelli. Did you honestly think you could use her as your rat, and I wouldn't find out?*
"You're an idiot, Blackmore. I just met Cassie for the first time last week. She isn’t connected to me at all. I thought she was connected to you, though, hence my interest in her, and I can see I was right. She is important to you, isn’t she?"
The line is silent for a moment.
*Yes, she is important to me; that’s why you won’t be getting her back this time. She’s mine. By the way, did your little friend survive? That was a lot of blood spilling out of him.*I can hear Cassie scream in the background.*Yes, dear. I shot yourprecious Lucian. And judging from Morelli’s lack of response, I don’t think he made it.*
I go to speak, but Jayme holds up his hand. What angle is he trying to play here? If she thinks I’m dead, she might give up hope that someone will rescue her.
*Anyways. I just called to let you know you can tell your men to stand down and leave my property. Or else I will call the cops. And around here, I’m the one in charge.*
"Just give me back Cassie, and I’ll tell them to stand down. I’ve taken a liking to her as well. Especially after the other night. That pussy is delicious, and I want more. So be a good boy and bring her back to the hospital. Or better yet, I’ll send a car for her. You might survive the week if you let her go without a scratch. If not, well, you know how easily accidents can happen."
*Nah, I don’t think so. This pussy is mine. If you want, I can send over the other one. Unfortunately, she broke too easily. Such a weak little thing she was. Oh well, Cassie is much more fun to play with. I like the fire in her. Whenever I think I may have broken her, she gets back up and keeps going.*The line goes dead.
I’m fuming with rage. I need to get the fuck out of this hospital bed. I need to get to her. She must be so scared. I go to stand up, and my head spins. My ears are pounding and ringing, and my body feels hot. I fall back onto the bed as the machine beeps wildly. Darkness takes over my vision as I fall back unconscious.
56. Cassie
The scream that escapes me is dampened by his hand around my throat, cutting off all oxygen. It feels like my entire world is shattering into a million pieces. No. It can’t be true.
"Yes, dear. I shot your precious Lucian. And judging from Jayme’s lack of response, I don’t think he made it." My entire body goes limp. I don’t hear anything from Jayme.
Please, Jayme, say something. Tell him Lucian’s not dead. I beg and plead with the universe to make it untrue but receive nothing in return—just empty silence. I don’t even realize when Theo lets go of my throat, and I slump to the floor in a heap of broken bones and an empty soul. Everything I am doing is for nothing now. I couldn’t protect him. Lucian is gone, and he will never come back. There is no hope for me now.
Theo slams his phone down and kneels next to me. He gathers me in his arms and puts me onto his lap. I don’t even fight him. Why bother? There’s nothing else to live for. No one will come for me. Jayme barely knows me, so why would he risk coming after me? If I fight, he will continue to hurt me. He strokes my head against his chest; it’s only then that I realize I’ve been crying. My face has tears streaming down it, soaking my shirt.
"There, there, little one. It will be ok. You will see him again one day." My stomach twists, and I nearly gag on the stomach bile, bubbling up my esophagus. "You did this though, you know.You brought him into this. He would still be alive if you had just been a good girl and stayed where you belonged."
He’s right. I did this. Lucian's dead because of me. These thoughts pollute me as I succumb to the darkness deep inside my mind while being smothered in Theo’s arms.
A loud slam awakes me. How long was I out for? Glancing around, I can see that I'm back in that same bedroom, but Allie’s lifeless body is no longer next to me. The sheets have been changed. And the room smells fresh and clean. Thank God.
"Ah good you're awake. It’s almost time for my meeting." I go to get up when I remember what happened earlier. My entire body goes weak, and I fall back onto the bed. "Little one, are you ok? You're so pale. Let’s get you something to drink before we go to my office."
Here’s the charming Theo again. He was always so sweet and thoughtful. He cared about me, or so he made it seem. But now, all I can see is a vile monster hidden behind a mask of deception and lies. I reluctantly take his hand and follow him to the kitchen. He pours me my favorite juice. When he opens back up the fridge, I can see it’s stocked with all my favorites. My mouth salivates. I barely ate this morning and even longer before that. He can see me ogling the fridge.
"You can have whatever you want and go wherever you want inside the house. The house is fully locked down, so don’t even think about trying to escape. The only door that will open is the one on your terrace, but it’s an enclosed terrace so you won’t be going anywhere. Are we clear?" He raises an eyebrow at me.
“You broke your promise,” I say quietly, my eyes glued to the floor.
“What?” he asks, coming closer.
“You broke your promise. You said you wouldn’t hurt Lucian. Now he is dead.” I try to stay strong, but a few tears spill over my lashes.
