Chapter twenty #2
“Stay calm and do as they say. The most important thing is that you and the baby are safe. Let us take care of the rest.”
“Are my brothers there?” she asks. I glance at the men who have moved to stand beside me.
“We’re here,” Connor says, his eyes fixed on the phone in my hand.
It’s still on speakerphone; they’ve heard it all.
I can tell by their faces that they know she is telling the truth.
They know their father has been playing them this whole time.
“We’re all coming to get you, Sis. Hang in there and do as they say.”
He nods to me. I switch the speakerphone off and walk into the corner of the room.
“Vi,” I say softly, “we will figure this out.”
Her breathing hitches. “I love you. I always have.”
Now is not the time to pretend I don’t. Now is the time to stop being scared of my emotions and embrace them.
Embrace her. If things go wrong, this may be the only chance I have to tell her how I feel. How I truly feel.
“I love you too,” she replies. A smile flickers on my lips with her admission. “Come for me.”
***
Violet
The door handle rattles. “Princess, open the door. I want to see my girl,” Aiden calls through the barrier. The elation I felt with Harrison’s words vanishes, and the terror that has been coursing through my body since my father told me of his plans returns instantly.
“Go away,” I shout back.
“Open the door or I’ll knock it down,” he snaps angrily.
“Who’s there?” Harrison asks. The phone is still pinned to my ear.
“It’s Aiden,” I whisper. “I need to go.”
“Leave your phone on. I’ll mute this end so he won’t hear us. It’s going to be all right. Just do as he says.”
He pauses. “Within reason. Protect yourself if you need to.”
He doesn’t say what he’s thinking, but I know what it is.
He’s worried Aiden is here to collect some overdue time with me.
Time with my body. The thought of him touching my skin is revolting.
“Okay,” I reply, then slip my phone into the breast pocket of the striped pajamas I’m wearing.
“Princess,” Aiden barks. He’s furious—I know by his tone. “Open the fucking door now or I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”
Steeling myself, I walk over to the door and release the bolt, then retreat to my bed, sitting on the edge.
The hardwood swings open, and Aiden strides into the room.
He’s dressed in his usual business attire.
I touch my pocket to ensure my phone is still there—the screen is turned against my body so he cannot see the light.
“Hello,” he says, sitting down next to me.
He wraps a hand around the back of my neck and pulls me toward him.
His lips crash into mine. I pull back, but he holds me tight, not allowing me to move.
“Princess,” he growls, “don’t disobey me. You don’t want to make me angry. We wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened in Waite’s apartment. He isn’t here to interrupt this time.”
He grins nastily. “Though that pretty little neck of yours in my grasp is somewhat appealing.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumble, dropping my eyes from his. “It’s early. You surprised me being here.”
“It’s five o’clock. The sun is coming up, and we have places to be. Get dressed.”
***
Harrison
I switch the phone onto mute so we can hear what is happening but there’s no risk of us being heard on Violet’s side. “It’s fucking Marley,” I hiss. “Devane, are your men there?”
“They’re sitting down the road from the entrance. No sign of life yet, but the place is like a fortress. High walls and cameras everywhere,” he says. “We won’t be able to get in. If we are going to intercept her, it will be in transit.”
“Russ, do you have any contacts on the inside you trust?” I turn to Violet’s brother. “Is there anyone who could tell us what is going on? Help her, if she needs it.”
“I’m not sure who to trust,” he replies. “They all work for my dad. It would risk him finding out we’re on to him.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. Violet’s raised voice brings my focus back to the phone in my hand. “If he touches her, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”
“No, Aiden,” she shouts, terrified. “Take your hands off me. Please.”
“Oh, come on Princess. You need to get undressed anyway,” he replies, then laughs loudly. “Let me see that pussy of yours, it’s been too long. I’ve missed your slick walls being wrapped around my cock.”
“Aiden, please. When we happen again, I don’t want it to be like this. I want it to be special.” She’s stalling, trying to slow him down. “I want to wait until we’re home in our own bed.”
“Home,” he repeats. “It will be good to have you back where you should be. Underneath me. The way things were. Though this is new,” he says.
“The belly will take a bit of getting used to.”
I imagine the bastard touching her growing bump and my anger rises a notch.
The thought of him with her makes my skin crawl.
If he forces himself on her, I’ll tear him limb from limb.
“That belly holds my child,” she hisses, losing a little control. Stay calm, I will her silently.
“Our child,” he corrects her. “My child, and you will be my wife.” There is the sound of skin hitting skin.
“In your fucking dreams,” she shrieks. “I’ll never be yours, whether you force me to marry you or not. I hate you. You lied to me. Used me.”
“And I’ll use you whenever I want to, Princess. Don’t fucking hit me again,” he growls.
“I’ll let you off this time. I understand the past twenty-four hours will have been a shock for you. But do it again, and you’ll regret it. Reject me once more, and I’ll pin you to the bed until you realize you’re mine.”
There is a rustling noise. Him standing, I think.
“Now, get dressed,” he demands. “We will be leaving soon.”
The line goes silent, then a few seconds later, a door slams closed.
“Harry,” Violet's petrified voice whispers. “Did you hear that? We’re leaving.” I take my handset off mute.
“I did,” I tell her. “We’re coming. Do as he says for now. Charge your phone and leave it on. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”