Falling for A Lie (The Lords And Ladies Of Ash #1)

12. Caden

Chapter twelve

Caden

I stop pacing, finally stilling my restless energy, and dial my mother's number. As the phone rings, I toss it onto my dresser and rummage through my clothes for something Soren can wear.

Scarlett’s voice comes through my phone’s speaker, and my spine stiffens so straight it hurts. Months have passed since we last spoke. Life had gotten hectic, becoming so hectic that I was spiraling into chaos and haven’t had a chance to fully breathe and racing against time to escape this town. Glancing at my alarm clock I realize it’s only 6:00 AM and she’s only just starting her day.

“Well hello son, it's been quite a while since I was blessed to hear from my only child. For what do I owe this honor?” Her gentle tone is almost too quiet to hear.

My voice gets caught in my throat as I think of the best way to handle this situation on the spot without giving much away. With one final internal pep talk, I simply reply.

“Hello mhàthair, I was calling to ask for help. It's for a woman that I'm involved with. She was attacked tonight when we were leaving dinner, and I'm scared that she and her younger sisters are in danger. She needs the ladies' protection.” My voice projects a strong and unwavering lint even when my hands are shaking uncontrollably.

“I don't think this was a simple attempted mugging or random attack, they waited until she had left my side to attack her.” I quickly add the last bit to reveal the urgency of the situation, and something I know will have my mother practically tripping over herself to provide help to another woman from getting hurt.

“Where is she now, Caden Cole?” Her voice turning from quiet to stern at breakneck speed has me flinching slightly . “Who is this woman and what do you need from me exactly?” The impatient tone in her voice tells me I have exactly two seconds to start talking or she will be visiting me in person to see what is going on.

“Her name is Soren Flint. We started seeing each other recently after she got out of a bad relationship. We have been taking things slow, so don't worry about that. But she did have a deranged ex who couldn't accept that she was moving on with someone else. I'm not sure how he knew where we would be, but I'm sure that he's the one that did this.” My voice breaks, as the raw emotion of seeing someone helpless, like my mother at the hands of my sperm donor. Those images flash through my mind. He really could've killed her, if we hadn't chosen that moment to leave the club.

“Mhàthair, she needs the ladies' protection. She's raising her two sisters by herself and running a business that was left behind when her parents died. She has no one else to turn to. Please, save her.” My voice comes out unsteady, as every possible scenario plays through my mind of what could've happened to Soren tonight. Sadness and grief are at war with my heart. But something about her brings out a weakness I didn't think I possessed, maybe it's because she reminds me of my mother and has had it rough.

Maybe it's because stalking her these past couple of weeks has unlocked an unhealthy obsession with the damsel that lies just six feet from where I stand, broken and bruised. The thought of more harm coming to that beautiful woman makes me want to murder anyone who dares lay a finger against her .

“Send me your address, I'll be there to pick her up in the next hour and a half. Send one of your brothers to pick up her sisters and whatever belongings that they cannot part with that can fit in a suitcase. We'll handle the rest, this is no longer a concern of yours.” The slight shuffling of heels and jingling of keys echo like a gunshot through my consciousness, and I nod absently to myself. Before I have a chance to reply she hits me with another slap to my oddly wounded heart.

“Go ahead and say goodbye to her as well, son.” Scarlett’s voice urges through the phone. “Once she is taken in, I cannot guarantee that you will ever see her again. It will not be up to just me to relocate her. If The Lords and Ladies of Ash take her in, she is signing over her and her sisters' lives to our beliefs. This is something out of my control, but the only sure way to guarantee they are all safe.”

"Yes ma'am, I understand the choice I made when I asked for your help.” My voice softly cracks with each word. “I'll send Rad to gather the sisters and whatever is needed, but what about her business? Will that become part of The Lords' and Ladies' assets? Will she lose that as well? At the hands of something that wasn't her fault?”

Fate is truly a cruel bitch. You believe you finally found something that you can make yours and the bitch snatches it from you before you even had a chance to enjoy it.

“No, son, we will simply make it seem like she sold the business to one of our sister companies. However, she will not be losing the company she has continued to keep afloat while doing things a normal woman her age shouldn't. She is a survivor, not a victim, and we won't treat her as one. Once she is pledged, she will be an equal member. She will be taken care of beyond just the life she has made for herself, her power and her protection will rival any who steps against her. You should know this by being an initiate yourself. Now do as I say, I'll see you soon.” Without another pause, the line goes dead and I'm left speechless.

I gather the clothes I somehow managed to pile together for Soren. Despite Reed’s offer to get her some, I want her in something of mine. Heading towards my door, I leave the conversation I just had with my mother behind to do what is expected of me to protect the Damsel in the other room. She slowly snuck her way into my skin, infusing it with my atoms.

Tapping softly against the door of the spare bedroom that we turned into a medical room, I wait for permission to enter. After about thirty seconds, an angelic voice calls for me to come in. My heart is going a mile a minute with the anticipation of the consequences of my decision - will Soren hate me for taking away her choice or thank me for ensuring her safety and her sisters'?

Before I enter, I shoot off a quick text to Radley telling him to leave the food for Soren he’s getting for her behind, I’ll go get it for her. He needs to carry out the other part of my mother’s orders. Go get Soren’s sisters, the last of her family, and bring them here to be shipped away to safety. They need to get away from the dangers that lurk in the shadows.