18. Chapter 18
Chapter eighteen
Jinx
I can hear the guys from the room that I’m locked in. No matter what I do, I can’t get out. The chair I threw at the door was my only hope of getting someone’s attention. And that apparently didn’t work. I try to pry open the window once more, even though I know it won’t budge. This place is damn near falling apart, but not enough to where I can escape.
Whatever is going on out there, I can only hope it’s working in our favor because I can’t stay here one more day. My chest throbs in pain when I try to push on the window more. I don’t have much more energy left in me. I sink against the wall, slipping to the floor. I keep trying to take deep breaths, but it feels like I’m struggling more and more. I kinda have a handle on my asthma, but I’m starting to worry it might spiral out of control.
I close my eyes and concentrate on the noises beyond the room. But I can’t hear shit. Whatever is happening must be occurring further away from me. I muster some energy and grab a piece of the broken chair; one way or another, I’m getting out of this room.
I forcefully slam the chair leg into the glass, causing it to shatter into pieces. The chilly breeze from outside stings my cheeks, but oddly, it feels refreshing. I run the wood along the window frame, freeing all the glass. I stand on my tiptoes, looking outside. It’s a fair drop, but I think I can make it.
I look around the room for anything else to stand on, only I would ruin the chair. I grab the broken chair and am thankful only one leg broke off, but the other leg doesn’t look the best. I position it under the window and then gingerly made my way up. The chair wobbles as I try to steady myself, and my heart jumps into my throat. I lift myself onto the ledge, trying to keep the weight off my chest. The drop looks higher now that I have the full effect. What’s the worst that’ll happen? A broken limb?
I get my foot up on the ledge and brace myself. Sending a prayer to Lucy, I close my eyes, getting ready to push myself forward. The sudden bang at the door startles me, causing me to release my hold unexpectedly. I scream as I fall forward out the window.
The ground rushes toward me in a blur when I jolt to a stop; my feet dangle in the air when I look up. Some dude with a man bun is holding onto my wrist.
“I take it your Jinx.”
“Um, yeah.”
“Figured, should I ask why you were jumping out the window?”
I hang here, feeling the weight of my body increase as my wrist screams in pain from the pressure of his grip. It feels as though the skin is being ripped off. “Wanna tell me who the fuck you are?” I grunt, trying to swing my other hand to the window ledge. For all I know, this could be my stalker.
“I’m Wilde.” He hoists me up by my arm. I attempt to kick my feet against the side of the house, but he forcefully pulls me back through the window, slicing my stomach on a shard of glass. As I land on the floor, I shuffle backward and shoot him a fierce glare.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I know the guys.”
“Is that like a nickname or something? Where do you know them?” I press my fingers on the bloody cut and pray this night doesn’t get any worse.
“Is Jinx a nickname?” He rips a piece of his shirt and squats in front of me.
“It’s a curse.” I dig my fingers into the floor when he presses the piece of shirt into the cut.
His green eyes pierce into mine, and he flinches. “Sorry. Can you hold it, and we’ll find the guys? I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”
“Same. But you still never answered me. Where do you know them from?” Wilde helps me up, and the room spins. “I need a minute.” I close my eyes, trying to make the world stop spinning.
“When’s the last time you ate anything?”
I shrug. “Five days ago. I think. I’m not touching anything from a stranger.” He steers me toward the broken-down door. With each step, my stomach burns when the cut pulls apart.
“I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t touch anything that asshole made either. You good to walk?”
“I’m not a pussy.”
He nods and guides me out into a hallway. For a house that’s falling apart, it’s still well-built. Wilde whistles loudly when we come into the living area. How many places am I going to see before I get to that front door?
Footsteps thunder above and around as they run through the house. Their voices call out to me, and it’s felt so long since I last heard them. Ashton is the first to appear. His blond hair is all over the place, wearing dark ripped jeans and a mint hoodie with paint stains on the front. His icy blue eyes take me in from head to toe, stopping at my stomach on his second look. His head jerks to Wilde.
“It was an accident. She was falling out the window, man. It was either that or a broken neck.”
“I’m fine, Ashton. No need for more blood.”
“I’ll be the judge of that Little Swan. You have no idea what it’s been like that last five days.”
I take a deep breath, trying to control the rage that flared up. “You’re right. I have no idea what sort of torture you’ve been through. Tell me, please, what it must’ve been like, not locked up in a basement with no food or water, a shitty mattress to sleep on, wearing the same clothes, and wondering when or if you would be saved. Must’ve been hard on you.”
He moves closer, gently placing his hand behind my neck and drawing me nearer. Then, he rests his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m so sorry; I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you,” he whispers.
“Odette,” Atticus yells from across the room.
“Always cockblocked by the other half. I should’ve eaten him in the womb.” Ash groans before backing away.
Atticus quickly comes to my side, wrapping me in a warm embrace and nuzzling his face against my neck. I can’t help but release a soft sound of discomfort as he holds me closer.
“I thought I lost you.” He speaks against my skin.
“You’ll never lose me, Atticus.”
He pulls away, looking into my eyes. “But I could’ve. Look at you; you’re bleeding.” He pulls my hand away, and I grit my teeth when he takes the cloth away.
“It’s fine. It’s only a flesh wound.”
“Jinx?”
I look over and find Maddox standing there. His knees buckle, but he doesn’t come any closer. I try to rush over to him, but Atticus holds me back. I try to squirm out of his grip, but his hand only digs further into my cut.
“Atticus, let go,” I plead, trying hard to get out of his hold.
“No. Let him come to you. He needs time to process what’s happening. Just give him a minute. He’s been through a lot as well.”
I’m more confused about how he is here. He should be in rehab. Maddox moves slowly toward me and places his hand on Atticus’ shoulder.
“I’m good. I can handle it.”
Atticus gently lets go of me and places his own over Maddox’s, turning to face him as he speaks with compassion. “If it gets too much, walk away.”
He nods, and Atticus walks away. What the fuck is going on?
“Jinx? What happened?”
I look at my stomach; the bleeding has stopped, but the blood on my clothes looks worse than it is. Even wearing a black shirt, it looks terrible. “Oh. He pulled me through the window, and a shard of glass cut me.” I point to the guy named Wilde. The one I still don’t know anything about.
Maddox snaps his head in Wilde’s direction. “Listen, Maddy. I would never hurt your girl, and you know that. But she was ready to jump out the fucking window.”
“The fuck Jinx.” Ashton scolds me.
“Don’t fucking start with me, it was either that or face the creepy stalker,” I shot back.
Maddox places his hand next to my cut and pulls the cut shirt away. “Did the asshole touch you?”
“Him?” I point to Wilde again.
Maddox shakes his head. I kinda figured it wouldn’t be him, but not knowing where Unknown is, I don’t want to talk about him. Being in this house has my nerves on fire.
“Where is he? Have you seen him?”
Ashton and Atticus look at each other, and I know that look. They won’t be saying shit to me anytime soon.
“I kicked the shit out of him. Don’t worry, he won’t be coming after you again, baby.”
“I have so many questions but don’t know where to begin.”
“I think we should get you to the hospital and take care of this, and then we can talk.” Maddox envelops me in his embrace, radiating warmth that instantly comforts me. I shut my eyes, breathing in his familiar scent that I’ve longed for. His absence has been hard to bear, and being in his arms again is like coming home.
“I’ve missed you, Maddox.”
He rests his chin on top of my head and rubs my back. “Same, baby, same.”
“We should get out of here and take care of everything,” Wilde mutters to whoever is listening.
“He’s right, and Jinx needs to get some rest and a doctor.”
“I’m fine, Ash. I don’t need a doc.”
“No, the hospital, then we will go back to RWA. Don’t argue with us,” Atticus raises his voice.
I pull away from Maddox and turn to the other three. “I’m good. Can we leave, please?”
Atticus tilts his head toward the door, almost like he’s dismissing us. Always the one that needs to be in control. Before I move, I need to ask the burning question.
“Where is he?”
Again, Ashton and Atticus avert their eyes to each other. Wilde scratches the back of his head and shrugs. I swing back to Maddox, and he avoids me also. I’m not in the mood for guy bullshit.
“Someone better start talking, or I’m not leaving.”
Atticus chuckles. “You’ll leave, trust me, Little Grim.”
I am about to voice my thoughts when Maddox suddenly lifts me, gently holding me close in his arms. Despite my initial urge to protest and resist, a wave of exhaustion washes over me, making it impossible to do anything but surrender.
“All words, aren’t ya.” Maddox chuckles.
“I’ll fight when I’m back to one hundred.”
“And maybe that’s when we’ll tell you about Unknown. ” He smiles at me like that’ll make it all better.
I knew he knew something. Why they have to hide shit from me, I’ll never understand. Even after everything I’ve been through, they can’t tell me. I know they unmasked him, but what they did with him is what I need to know. Where is he?
“Don’t worry, we’ll tell you. He can’t get you if you’re worried about that.” Ashton reassures me when Maddox walks next to him.
“That doesn’t help me though. He tormented me for months, and you think that’ll go away just because you said he can’t get to me.”
Ashton stops Maddox. “Maddox and Atticus kicked the shit out of him. So, trust me when I say this. He can’t get to you.”
I look over to Atticus, but he ignores us and steps outside. Maddox tightens his hold on me as we step outside. As the cool night air hits me, I can’t help but feel relieved to be out of that place. I’ll admit this exit is much better than going out the window, but I wanted to rescue myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something on my own.
Maddox places me on my feet next to his car and tilts my chin up. “Are you sure you don’t need the hospital? I’m worried about that cut getting infected.”
“I’m fine. I don’t know how many times I have to stress that to you.”
He raises his hands. “Okay, I get it. Get the fuck in the car,” he yells at the guys. “Get in the middle and rest.”
I climb inside, and Atticus and Ashton sit on either side of me while Maddox climbs behind the wheel. The trunk slams shut, and Wilde climbs in front.
“We’re ready,” he says, brushing his hands off his jeans.
I go to look behind, but Atticus stops me. “It’s not important. try to forget about this place.”
I want to forget, but it’s not that easy. I spent five days there, never knowing what creepy wanted from me. I don’t think they’ll ever know what it’s like to try and get sleep when you never know if he’ll walk through the door or if the meal you are supposed to eat is poisoned. It never made me feel any better just because he had a bite.
I watch the road zip by as Maddox drives; wherever we are, it’s not well-traveled. I attempt to find some rest, but it just won’t seem to happen. Even as Atticus gently places his hand on my neck and guides me into his supportive shoulder, his fingers soothingly stroking my head, the tension just won’t release from my body.
I’m afraid it never will.