Chapter 13 - Riley
I was putting my clothes away when there was a knock at the door. I set my phone aside and hurried to it, guessing it was Cayden. He had a habit of just stopping by, and I didn't mind.
I was still a little embarrassed about what happened during our run, but I wasn't going to ignore him. I headed down the hallway, a little nervous.
As I grabbed the door handle, I froze for a second. Cayden wouldn't have just knocked. He sent a message or called now since he caught me half-naked dancing around. Or he would have rang the doorbell. I swallowed, pulling the door open, and my entire body froze as Brad stood in the doorway. His brown eyes landed on me, and my body felt cold.
His brown hair was perfectly combed back like always, and his clothes were clean and pressed. Even his damn shoes were polished, making him look like the perfect citizen.
My throat bobbed, and I tightened my grip on the door handle. "How did you know I was here?"
He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly, and a smile pulled at his lips. "Because I know everything, Riley. Do you really think you can just leave town? I wouldn't know where you and April ended up. I have connections."
I wanted to slam the door shut, but he was already halfway through the door. I hadn't been quick enough.
"You need to leave," I said, feeling my voice shake. "You're not wanted here."
"That's where you're wrong. You and I have much to discuss. After all, we've lived a life together for several years now. I funded your lifestyle and kept you from living on the streets."
He pushed into the space, and I stumbled backward, losing my hold on the door. He took the door, shut it, and flipped the lock.
I swallowed again, taking a step back towards the kitchen. I felt my hands find the island. I kept my eyes on him, knowing better than to turn and look for my phone.
"I just don't understand what kind of person would leave in the middle of the day with no message about their whereabouts."
Someone who had been abused. Someone who had nowhere else to go. Someone who wanted to be free.
He started to pace, shaking his head. "You made your point. Get your stuff. We're going home."
I shook my head. "I'm not going back with you. I told you in the letter that I was done. I wanted out."
His eyes narrowed slightly, and a sinister smirk pulled at his lips. "See, Riley. You're not understanding. I have no patience left in me. I waited for you to have fun and return home, but now it's over. And I came all the way down here to this stupid ass town to get you. Do not make this harder than it needs to be."
I swallowed, staring back at him.
He paused his movement and took a deep breath in. "Just because your friend is ending her relationship doesn't mean you get to end yours."
I scowled. Did he think that was why I did this? April's marriage was over, and I didn't want to be with him suddenly.
I shook my head. "April's relationship has nothing to do with ours. I decided this because I deserve better."
Brad watched me for a moment before his face shifted. It softened up, reminding me of the first time I met him. He seemed so sweet, so caring.
"Honestly, Riley. Think about this for a moment. I understand you needed a little space, and you had it. But you know your place is back home with me. Who else is going to put up with you like I do? Don't tell me you deserve better when I've treated you well. You live in a luxurious penthouse with money that can buy you anything."
It was a double-edged knife, and it stabbed hard. It was how he perfectly landed the blows. He made me think I was terrible, and he was a knight in shining armor putting up with me anyway. He made it seem like money was going to buy my happiness.
But that wasn't true. If I was so terrible, why did Cayden put up with me? Why did any of his friends have a conversation with me? If I was terrible, why was everyone so nice here?
For the first time ever, I knew better. I grabbed my phone and took a deep breath in. "No. I already told you that I'm not going back, and there is nothing you can do to make me."
I just needed to call Cayden and have him come over. He could handle Brad.
But before I could even pull my phone up, Brad was quicker. His hand flew up, smacking me across the face and sending me backward. I tumbled to the ground in utter shock. But before I could react, Brad was shoving me down, pinning me to the floor.
"You ungrateful bitch," he snarled, his hand pressing down onto my throat. His fingers squeezed, and I tried to breathe, but nothing came.
My wolf howled in my ear, begging to be released, but I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.
I started to panic, watching as he pressed harder on my windpipe, his eyes turning frantic.
"You will never escape," he growled at me. “You are nothing. You are like the dirt beneath my shoes." Tears built up, and my lungs burned, begging for air. My brain was begging for oxygen.
I clawed at his hand, but his hold was stronger. His nails biting into my skin.
I gasped for air, but still nothing.
This couldn't be how I went out. I couldn't die like this. Not like this. I still had so much I wanted to do with my life. I had just started to figure it out.
Tears blurred my vision, and dark spots started to blotch my vision.
"You have been a pain in my ass, Riley. And after everything I've done for you. I was the one around making sure you were taken care of, and you...you little fucking bitch!"
I moved my hands around, feeling for anything, and then my fingers landed on my phone. I quickly wrapped my fingers around it, holding it tightly in the palm of my hand.
I then swung up, making sure to take a corner of my phone and jabbed it into his bone, right where the bone met with the jaw. I put all my might into that swing and felt the hit land, the blow radiating down my arm.
Brad's fingers released, and I gasped for air, sucking in a deep breath. I coughed, gasping for air. Brad tumbled backward, and I moved quickly. I rolled on my stomach and quickly clawed away. I just needed to get to a room with a door. I just needed to lock myself in, and I was okay. I was safe.
"You bitch!" he snarled behind me.
I tried to pull myself to my feet, but they didn't work. My brain ached, still trying to get oxygen back in. I begged them to move, begged my limps to work. I stumbled up and made it to the corner of the hallway. The bathroom had a lock.
I felt a hand grab my hair, yanking me back, and I screamed. I pulled my hand up, trying to break his hold free, but his other hand grabbed my face, turning to make me look at him.
Gone was the calm and collected Brad. He was furious and out for blood.
"Please," I begged.
But before he could respond, the snap of a fire caught our attention. We both looked over towards the sound, finding a candle I had dropped from the small table in the kitchen, and rolled towards the curtains. The curtains were in flames, fluttering and sending sparks into the living room.
A smile pulled at Brad's lips. "Well, that's an even better idea."
"Brad, stop," I begged him as he dragged me down the hallway to the bathroom. He ripped his tie off, wrapping it around my hands and around the cabinet door. I tried to suck in the air, but smoke had already started to fill the space.
"Brad, please stop." I tried once more to convince him to let me go. He'd never done anything like this. "Please."
He grabbed my face, his fingers painful as he leaned forward, his face just an inch from mine. "You deserve what's coming to you." He let go and stepped backward.
Tears poured out as he left, and I coughed, trying to cover my mouth from the smoke. My head ached from the lack of oxygen, and the smoke mixing didn't help. I tried to pull at the tie, yanking hard and harder. But each yank only tightened the knot on my hand.
I coughed, feeling dizzy, and tried to take slow breaths, but it didn't help. Everything felt fuzzy, and then everything went black.
I jerked my eyes open, taking in a dark room. There was the sound of footsteps, but it sounded distant. There was a soft beeping next to me, and I looked over. I took a few machines in and glanced down at my hand. I was connected to an IV, and there were wires strapped to my chest. My head hurt, but not as badly as I expected it to.
I pulled my hand up, realizing I had a breathing mask on. I took a few deep breaths, trying to remember what had happened.
"No, she's still asleep." I could hear Cayden's voice and looked toward the door. I could see him standing in the hallway. His back was to me as he spoke on the phone. "April, she's okay. I made sure of it."
Cayden. He was here. I don't remember calling. I remember the fire and the smoke.
I closed my eyes, allowing my body to realize that I was safe. I wasn't still locked in the house with it burning all around me. I didn't die in a fire.
I heard the door open and pulled my eyes open, taking in Cayden. He looked exhausted like he hadn't slept. He froze as he saw me, and his shoulders relaxed slightly.
"You're awake."
I nodded, pulled a hand up, and pulled the mask down. "What happened?" I asked, a cough, taking the words over.
Cayden reached up, pulling the mask back into place. "Breath," he said softly. As calm as he spoke, I could see the anger in his eyes. He was trying to stay calm, but he was clearly pissed.
I stared at him, taking a few breaths in. "Are you….angry with me?"
Cayden grabbed me a cup from the side table and pulled it up. "I'm not angry at you, Riley."
"Explain…that to your…face," I whispered back.
He gave me a half smile, pulling the mask down and offering me a drink.
"I was scared," he said simply. "I'm angry but not at you. So, just rest." He looked me in my eyes. "Please."
I took a sip of the water and felt his hand brush over my forehead. I stared at him as he softly smiled. "I'm just happy you're okay."