Chapter 10
Chapter ten
Jackson
The first time I said that phrase, back at the cabin, Madelyn froze for only a second. I had thought that she was bullshitting me…the whole thing a contrived way to get under my skin. And while I didn’t mean to actually say it tonight, a part of me wanted to know what would happen if I did.
I got my answer. But I am still not satisfied.
I want to know who caused this and, most importantly, why is it, Oliver Carter?
It’s got to be him. The stepfather she wants killed.
My pulse picks up, causing my head to pound.
Blood rushes through my veins and with it the desire to fucking kill the next person I see.
Which doesn’t make a lot of sense, being that girl is baggage.
A ticket to some money. That’s it. I clench my fists and force myself to breathe.
It doesn’t matter what happened to her. You are doing the same.
Voices echo through my mind. I call those the voices of my lackluster conscience.
The ones that fight for a reign in my head every single day, and eighty percent of the time, they lose.
And yet… this time I know they are right.
I can’t just leave her in there to fight the demons I’ve brought out. Not when she so beautifully helped me forget about mine, even if it was temporary.
I eye the cuffs lying on the dirty carpet and wonder if I really need them. If she were of sound mind, I would not trust her to go free. But this is different.
Carefully, I open the door, only to discover she’s slumped on the side of the tub.
“Little fire?” I hiss, coming to her side.
My hands go to her neck as I search for a heartbeat.
I breathe a sigh of relief as little thumps meet my fingers.
Not dead. Seemingly just asleep. Or pretending to be. Or maybe still out of it.
I’ve got one way to find out. Her body moves forward as I slide mine behind her.
It’s too tight a fit to allow my legs on either side of her body, so I take her by the waist and place her on my lap.
Her back leans into my chest and her head lands close to the cut she inflicted.
This is when I expect protests. Or at least words coming out of her mouth, but to my surprise, nothing happens.
Strands of hair fall across her forehead as the water continues to beat down, the effect reminding me just how much color can go into her cheeks.
My fingers slide the strands away, only to stop at her neck.
“It’s really a shame someone has ruined you from receiving praise.
” Thump. Thump. Thump. I smile as her heart rate picks up.
Goosebumps line her skin as my hand travels to her breasts.
“Because, little fire, your cunt is worthy of worship.”
A sigh escapes her mouth, and with it comes the temptation to kiss her.
I draw back, not allowing myself to get that deep.
That can’t happen. There’s no point in it.
In fact, there’s no point to any of this.
I push Madelyn forward so that I can get us both out.
Her body goes limp as I place her in my arms and carry her to the bed.