20. Jade
My eyes opened slowlyto mostly darkness. I was about to groan, but everything that had happened caught up to me. It felt like I was lying on a carpet-like surface, but whatever was under me was moving. My hands were also bound together. Trying to hone my senses, I ascertained I was in a car. I wasn”t in the trunk, but I was in the back, so it was either a van or SUV. I attempted to be quiet, but apparently, my efforts were futile because I heard a deep voice.
“Jade, you’re finally awake I see.”
Wait a minute. That voice was familiar. I knew who that was, since I had just talked to him a few days ago. Not to mention, I’d received a text from him earlier today assuming it was still Friday. I was unsure how much time had passed since I had been nabbed.
“Uncle Steve? What’s going on?”
“I tried to warn you, Jade. So long ago. I told you that boy had feelings for you. Now you’ve gone and entered into a relationship with your brother. You know that’s wrong.”
The anger at this whole situation and the audacity of this man was too hard to push down. “He’s not my brother. He’s never been my brother.” I struggled to sit up, or at least lean against the door. “You are the one with something not right with them. You drugged me and then kidnapped me. Where are we going?” I looked out the window and saw we were on the interstate.
Steve shook his head; his profile showed me a mask of shock. “I can see that he’s polluted your mind, Jade. You would never talk to me like that. I know you’re having sex with him, so you think you love him, but you aren’t meant to be with him. I think you and him need some time away from each other.”
I slammed my bound fists down against the carpet. “That”s not your choice to make. I”m an adult. You know what happened to the last guy who tried to control me.” I was completely surprised when he immediately pulled the car over to the shoulder, shut the engine off, and got out of the vehicle. He opened the hatchback and grabbed the back of my head by fisting my hair. He gave me a light smack to my face, but I got the message.
“Your mouth is gonna get you in trouble if you don”t keep it in check.” He pulled my face closer to his. “We are going back to Chicago, but I”m taking you home.” I opened my mouth to argue, but the look he gave me stopped me short. He grabbed my chin. “Your parents are going to be very upset and I”m sure Noah”s plans for a career in the NHL will be derailed. They won”t want the scandal from a rookie.”
I glared at him, having no words to say. He was spelling out exactly what I had been worried about. Even though I wasn”t down with being stuck with my parents again or staying with Steve any longer, one of my biggest fears since getting with Noah was holding him back. That I would cause him to lose his dream of playing hockey professionally. I dropped my head and Steve let go of my hair so I could stare at my lap. “Please, just leave Noah out of it.”
Steve was quiet for so long that it caused me to look up at him again. He smiled and tapped my cheek twice, a little too hard. He pushed me onto the back seat and shut the hatchback. He climbed into the driver’s seat of the SUV, turned on the ignition, and pulled onto the road. I was a little relieved to find out where we were going, but I wasn”t at all eager to get there.
When we finally got to Chicago after way too much silence, I sighed. I was about to lose my mind. I was worried about what my sudden disappearance was doing to Ruby and Noah. I had already tried to feel around the best I could, seeing if I had my phone. It was either not on me or it was where I couldn”t reach. I expected Steve to head to my parents’ house, but that was not where we ended up at all. We pulled into the driveway of his house. I had been there several times, and my stomach sank even further. I might have made it back to Chicago, but I wasn”t even close to safe. I wasn”t being let go and turned over to my parents. My captivity was going to continue. Steve opened the hatchback again and pulled me out by my bound hands. I cried out in pain because they were still fucking attached.
“We”ll speak to your mom tomorrow, but it”s too late tonight,” he said as he dragged me to the living room. He pushed me down on the couch, then sat next to me. I was shocked when I felt his hand on my thigh. Looking at it from the corner of my eye, I shook my head.
“You”ve grown into a very beautiful woman, Jade. Your mom told me what that boyfriend of yours did. I told myself after that guy hurt you that I would never let you get with the wrong guy again. I can take care of you.”
I turned to him, utterly speechless. This had to be a sick joke. There was no way that the man who had been like a friend most of my life had kidnapped me and was now sitting next to me and groping me. “What are you doing, Steve? You can’t be serious. You’re my uncle.”
“That didn’t stop you with Noah. He’s supposed to be your brother. We’re not related, just like you and he aren’t,” he said softly, getting close to my ear like he was going to kiss it.
I pulled away from him and shook my head. “That isn’t even remotely the same. I’ve known you my whole life. I met Noah when I was fourteen and we never had a sibling bond.”
“He’s gonna move away, Jade, and soon. He’s got big plans to go off and be a big NHL player. Plans that don’t include you. He won’t have time for you. He won’t want you. You’re just something he’s using to pass the time until something bigger and shinier comes along.”
I wasn’t going to sit here and take this. I tried to stand but his hand on my thigh gripped tight to hold me in my seated position. He had no right to fuck with my head like this. He knew the right things to say to play on my insecurities, but I wouldn’t fall for them. I remembered how it felt when Noah hugged me, when he kissed me, and told me he was falling in love with me. How many times he was the one holding me together, telling me we were going to get through this. More than ever, I wanted him to be here now. I wanted him to tell me how we were going to get out of this now.