Chapter 46
Forty Six
Kaden
Alrik and Vinnie rush down the hall, barging into the studio in time to see me drop Evilin’s limp body to the floor.
But my world has already narrowed to a single point: Wynter, limp and pale on the furs of her throne.
For the first time since I was a boy, a cold, gut-wrenching terror seizes me.
My fortress was breached. My queen has fallen.
And in that instant, the monster I have so carefully constructed cracks, revealing the terrified boy underneath.
They both split directions, Vinnie going to my girl. When I get to her side, he has Wynter’s mouth open wide.
“It was poison,” I rasp, my voice sounding distant and hollow.
I clutch her cool hand in mine, the lack of warmth a physical blow.
He nods solemnly, letting her mouth fall closed as he hurriedly digs through his medical bag.
I’m vaguely aware of Alrik calling for backup before he drags Evilin from the room.
“Hurry up!” I snap, jumping to my feet, pacing back and forth. “She can’t die!”
I watch Vinnie’s hands, so steady and sure, and I am consumed by a useless, roaring rage.
I have built an empire on control, on absolute power, yet I can do nothing but watch.
I am a spectator to the most important battle of my life.
Evilin didn't just find a way into my compound; she found the one chink in my armor. She struck my only weakness.
Doc pulls out a clear vial of liquid. “This will induce vomiting. Hopefully she will dispel most of the poison.”
“Hopefully?” I ask incredulously, the word laced with a terror so profound it comes out as pure fury.
Anger is the only outlet I have. I punch the closest thing, my fist shooting through the drywall beside the mirror.
Pain radiates up my arm but it’s a welcome sensation, needing it to ground me before I fly off the handle.
Vinnie parts Wynter’s lips to pour the liquid down her throat. The sight of her helpless body before me makes me snap.
“How long will it take?” I bark as he shifts Wynter onto her side.
The moment the words are out, her stomach contracts.
The vomit hits the floor but I’m on the chaise the next second.
I brush the hair from her face and slap her back, hoping she’ll continue to push out everything in her system. What if I got here too late?
I look up at Vinnie hoping to see relief, but he’s busy hooking her up to an IV. He attaches the bag of liquid to a standing lamp beside the chaise, then adjusts the tubing to flow seamlessly into her arm.
Wynter’s stomach continues to spasm but nothing else comes from her mouth. Dread settles deep in my chest, knowing her outcome is bleak. Vinnie pulls a syringe and another vial of liquid from his bag.
“This is to combat the poison,” he explains before he stabs it into her thigh.
“Then why the hell didn’t you give that to her first?” I shout.
“Because I needed her to get as much of the toxins out first. I only have this tiny bit and it has better odds with less poison in her system.”
I don’t know how he is remaining calm through this. If he wasn’t here to help, he'd already be dead from my blind rage. I pull Wynter’s body closer to me, trembling with a fear I haven't felt in decades. Never did I think I would feel helpless again, but those old memories come rushing back to me.
This new foster home seemed promising, but I knew better than to hope for kindness. It’s never been shown to me a day in my life. Not since my mother died when I was seven. After watching her waste away, my fucked up, drugged out father left me to fend for myself. He never returned.
“Get over here, boy,” Mr. Green seethed.
“Clean this shit up.” He points to his ashtray that he knocked over on the white plush carpet.
“I better not see a fucking spot once you’ve finished.
” He pushed me to the floor, then stepped on my back to hold me down while he pressed his lit cigarette to my skin.
The pain had dimmed long ago. I guess that’s what happens when all you know is abuse.
He’s angry from my lack of reaction, so he digs his shoe into my back harder.
My lungs heaved, needing more air the longer he pressed into me.
Finally, he raised his foot, making me suck in a painful breath. His dark laugh echoed over me.
He kicked my shoulder hard, making me cry out.
“That’s better. I want to see your pain,” he spat down at me.
“Now, get to work, you ungrateful little shit.” I heard his steps retreating as I sat up.
I knew my shoulder was dislocated, and I also knew he didn’t give a fuck. I’d have to set it back myself.
The only thing that kept me going was knowing when I turned eighteen everything would change.
I would never be hurt again. I would be the one doling out the pain and my first victims would be all the foster parents I’d had over the years.
A small smile crosses my face. I would get my revenge on these bastards and it would be the sweetest victory.
No one would ever scare me again because I was determined to become a powerful, ruthless killer. No one stands a chance against me.
A vow I kept. A promise I made to that broken boy. Until now. I built these walls, this life, to ensure I would never be that helpless child again. And in one moment, Evilin has brought that boy screaming back to the surface.
“Prince!” Vinnie shouts, pulling me from that hellish memory. My eyes snap to him.
“What?” I demand.
“Her eyes fluttered open a moment ago while you were off daydreaming,” he scowls.
Later, we’ll address his disrespect. I shake my head to clear the anger coursing through me. My hands slide up Wynter’s cheeks, silently begging for her beautiful brown eyes to look at me.
Her mouth opens as a whimper falls from her precious lips.
“I’m right here, snowflake. Do you hear me?” I plead, my voice tinged with a vulnerability that feels like acid on my tongue, but she is my weakness.
“Baby, please open your eyes,” I beg, the word a foreign, desperate sound. I press my face into her shoulder, inhaling her scent, trying to will my life force into her. The king is gone, the monster is gone. All that's left is a man on his knees.
“I will kill myself if you don’t wake up,” I promise. “There’s nothing here for me without you.” A tear slides down my face, landing on her soft shoulder.
“Kaden,” she rasps, and I think my heart beats out of my chest hearing her voice again. I jerk up, looking at her closed eyes. My stomach plummets, believing I hallucinated hearing her voice.
“Kade–”
“I’m here, snowflake. Shh, everything is going to be okay.” I look at Vinnie, who has a smile on his face.
“Is she–” I can’t finish the sentence, not knowing if I’m strong enough for the answer.
“I believe we got to her in time,” he sighs, suddenly looking weary.
“Thank fuck. Vinnie,” I begin, but he interrupts me.
“Don’t leave her side tonight. Try to get her to drink some water. I’m going to leave some medicine to combat the nasty side effects she’s bound to have.” I nod my head, but still not fully comprehending that she’s going to be alright.
“Are you sure?” My voice falters, but he doesn’t comment on my weakness. Wynter is my weakness. Something I never knew I’d have, being a heartless bastard but here I am depending on her like my next breath.
“She’s a fighter,” he vows.
“She is,” I agree, looking down at my whole world. I press my lips to her forehead then drape the furs from the chaise up to keep her warm. I pull her back against my chest, further relaxing with every breath she takes.