“Camden,” Graysen warns.
“You’re fucking sick, forcing her to do this shit,” Nick growls, taking a step forward, and I latch on to his arm so he doesn’t take another, because Camden’s vindictive. I don’t want to risk what happens if Nick gets a hit on him. Camden has too much power right now.
Camden’s on his feet, his hands balled into fists. “She has a choice, Nick. Everyone has a choice. She’s choosing her sister over herself, over you.” Camden’s narrowed eyes cut to me. “I sent you the picture. Upload it to Facebook and Instagram.” Camden pushes past us.
My hand tightens on Nick’s arm, pulling him back as he tries to move forward. “He’s right, Nick.” Nick turns to look at me and Camden slips from the room, Graysen on his heels. “I have a choice, and so do you. Right now, this is the way it is.”
Frowning, Nick searches my face. “It’s fucking torture to watch him put his hands on you. Especially when I know you don’t want it.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I wish I could take you away from this.”
I close my eyes, wishing he could. “Me too.”
“If shit doesn’t work out the way you want, we go with plan C, I kill Camden.”
Fuck, those beautiful words have me squirming.
Chapter 23
Nick and I are back in John’s office when my phone rings with a call from my sister. “Finally, Tilly. Damn.”
“Are you with Camden Anderson? I saw pictures of you two online.”
“Really? That’s why you call? Did you get my messages?” I sit down on John’s leather office chair. “Your voicemail is full, Tilly.”
“I’ve been so busy. The workload is demanding. Aaron and I have been spending all our free time working on a school project, so don’t lecture me about—”
“Camden and his whole family are fucked in the head. I’m being forced to make it look like Camden and I are together. They want us to get married for whatever fucking reason, and they’re using you against me to do that.”
“What? Are you serious? How?”
Nick sits on the edge of John’s desk, arms crossed and eyes on me. We both know how important this call is. Tilly needs to come back ASAP.
“Camden’s threatening to hurt you, kick you out of school, and his brother Aaron there can make that happen. Their whole family is twisted.”
“Aaron wouldn’t get involved with that. Camden’s a wild card, Hayley. He’s the twisted one of the family. He’s playing you.”
“I’m booking you a ticket. Pack your shit and—”
“I lost it.”
“What?”
“My passport. I lost it.”
“Fuck. Are you fucking serious?” I glance at Nick. “She doesn’t have her passport.” I begin to pace. “Aaron has to have it or had it. He probably destroyed it. I’ll find a way to get you a new one or… maybe I can come there until your passport is ready,” I say, thinking out loud. “Either way—” I hear someone talking in the background and then something brushing over the phone. “Tilly?”
“Sorry. You were kinda on speakerphone. I was doing my makeup. Aaron’s here. Hold on.” I hear her walking. “Listen, I hear you. I’ll be careful. Aaron has been nice, but…”
“But what?”
“But… he’s been overly nice,” she whispers. “I thought it was because he liked me, but if what you’re saying is true…”
I drop back down in the chair. “What I’m saying is true.”
“Aaron doesn’t seem like he’d hurt anyone. He’s so nice. Everyone here loves him.”
Seeing how frustrated I am, Nick rolls me closer and laces his fingers through mine for support. “Get ready to leave because you’re not staying. Pack your shit and start asking around about how to get a new passport.”
More fucking silence. “I really, really love it here.”
“Tilly, I’m not fucking joking—”
“She might be able to get an emergency passport. I’ll look it up,” Nick says, releasing my hand and pulling out his phone.
“Wait, what about the private jet?” I ask him.
“Still need a passport for that,” he answers, typing something into his phone.
I hear a muffled voice in the background and then Tilly telling the person to give her a minute.
“I think it’s more difficult with her being a minor. Does she have her documents with her? ID, birth certificate?”
“Tilly, you have your ID and stuff, right?”
“No, I can’t find the bag that had everything in it. I think I left it on the train when we went sightseeing.”
“Who was with you?” I ask but am confident I know the answer to that.
“It was me and Aaron.”
Bingo. I grind my teeth. “I’m coming there.”
Tilly sighs. “Is all of this really necessary, Hayley? Maybe try calling Camden’s bluff. He’s probably full of shit.”
“He has pictures of you in class. He’s fucking psycho, and I’m not about to gamble anything happening to you. Alexander, their fucking dad, is in on it too. It’s the whole crazy family.”
“Okay, okay. Can you try to give Aaron the benefit of the doubt, maybe talk to him, and if you think he checks out then I could stay?”
“No. I’m coming to fucking get you. If I don’t, I’ll end up marrying Camden. For fuck’s sake, Tilly.”
“If it’s that damn serious. Let me know when you book your ticket. This sucks. Bye.”
I pull my phone away from my ear. “She hung up.”
“I’ll book our tickets.”
“John opened an account for me. He gave me a card the last time he was here. I have money. I’ll get the tickets.”
“I have airline miles. I’m booking a flight for tomorrow afternoon, already have it pulled up.”
I shove my phone into my pocket. “Thank you.” I scrub my hands down my face. “I guess we should pack.” We lock John’s door before closing it and then Nick and I head to my room, both tense, both silent. I grab a duffel bag from the closet and shove random clothes into it.
Once it’s full, I pull open the nightstand drawer. My mouth drops open as I stare at emptiness. I had tossed my documents in there when we got here. They were all in a plastic bag and now nothing.
“No… no,” I mutter, pushing the drawer closed and opening the one below it. Nothing. I grind my teeth. “Camden,” I growl, red hot anger burning through my body. I slam the bottom drawer closed, the sound filling the room. “My passport, ID, social, adoption papers… everything is gone.” He’s always a step ahead.
Nick reaches around me to pull open the top drawer. “Maybe you moved it.”
“It was there.” I step around Nick, heading for the door. I swing it open, letting it smack against the wall. I will destroy everything in the damn house.
Nick grabs my arm as we’re approaching Camden’s door, and it takes everything in me not to hit him. I’m completely focused and anything in my path, I want to destroy.
“If he tries to touch you, I won’t be able to hold back.”
I clench my jaw. With the rage I’m feeling, I might not be able to keep my hands to myself. I nod once to let him know that I’ve heard him, and then I step through Camden’s open door.
He’s relaxing on the bed while Missio, “Wolves” plays from the phone beside him. My body feels like it’s vibrating as anger like I’ve never felt before courses through me. I’m beside him, gripping a chunk of his hair, and screaming in his face, but I don’t remember moving from the door.
Camden wraps his fingers around my wrist, putting pressure at the center until I’m forced to release. I lunge, my hands clawing at his face, my heart hammering, and my vision pulsing. “Where the fuck is my—”
Arms wrap around my waist, the room blurring. My feet touch the floor, and then Nick is rushing past to grab Camden by the throat and shove him against the wall. “Search the room, Hayley,” Nick growls.
I start with each nightstand on either side of the bed, b
ut they’re empty. I slide my hands under the mattress edge, but nothing there. There’s nothing under it either. Camden doesn’t move his body, but his amused eyes follow me around his room.
I stop what I’m doing. “It’s not here.” Camden’s not stupid enough to put the things I need the most where I might find them.
“What did you do with my passport, Camden? You had your brother steal my sister’s, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talk—”
His voice is cut off as Nick squeezes, cutting off his ability to speak and breathe. Camden is still smirking as his face turns red, but as it’s turning purple, Nick releases him and backs up.
With his hands on his knees, Camden laughs and sucks in breaths, making him sound insane. He straightens. “There you are, Nick. I thought princess here had you going soft, domesticated you. Is she helping ease your guilt now that she’s yours?”
“Shut the fuck up,” Nick growls, swinging, but Camden dips down, dodging the blow.
Camden rushes forward slamming his shoulder into Nick’s stomach causing him to stumble back. Camden takes the opportunity to dart back, putting distance between them.
“Where the fuck is my passport?” I say again, even though I want to ask Nick what Camden’s talking about. What guilt could Nick be feeling?
“I don’t know, little one,” Camden says. “Haven’t seen it.”
“What’s going on?” Graysen says, walking into the room.
This is insane. This can’t be real. “That was everything. My adoption papers, birth certificates…” I clutch my stomach as nausea and dizziness wash over me. “I think my dad has copies at home.” I stumble to the side, the room spinning. “I need to—”
Everything goes black.
Chapter 24
The sound of a deep voice vibrates through my chest. Something warm and soft tickles my cheek. I want to swat it away, but I’m too tired to move. The soft tickle turns into a pinch and then something clamps onto my shoulder.
I force my eyes open, not knowing what’s going on and then everything comes back. Graysen’s kneeling beside me, looking worried, and I hear Nick shouting nearby.
Graysen brushes hair from my face. “You okay?”
“I passed out?”
“She’s awake!” Graysen hollers over his shoulder.
Nick’s by my side a second later. “Fuck. Don’t move yet. Do you feel dizzy?”
A gargled cough has me rolling my head to the side. Camden’s sprawled out on the floor by the bed, his face a bloody, unrecognizable mess. He sees me staring and smiles. He’s twisted as fuck.
Nick brushes my cheek to get my attention, and I say, “Did you find my passport?”
Nick shakes his head, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Things keep getting more and more fucked-up. I feel like fucking crying.
“How’s your head feel?” Nick asks as I move to sit up.
“It’s okay,” I mumble, allowing him to help me to my feet. Camden’s managed to prop himself against the bed. Blood from his face dripping to the collar of his light gray shirt.
“I’m so fucked,” I breathe. “I can’t get to her. What am I going to do?”
“Camden took your passport?” Graysen says.
“Like you didn’t know,” I say.
“I didn’t. Let me help,” Graysen says.
“Just the other day you were all about forcing her to marry you. What changed?” Nick growls.
Camden laughs. “If he can’t have her, no way his brother can, right, Graysen? Selfish and predictable.”
“Fuck you, Camden.” Graysen glares at his brother.
I want out of this room and away from them both. I force my feet to move, hoping Nick will follow.
“Tilly’s school should have copies of her documents. She can get them and file for an emergency passport that will get her home,” Nick says, reading from his phone as we walk down the hall toward my room.
I chew my lip. “I wanted to be there to help her, Nick. I don’t want her traveling alone. She might need help figuring it all out, and I don’t want Aaron to try stopping her.” I take in a breath for courage. This is a huge favor. “Would you go?”
He stops just outside my bedroom. “You want me to leave you here with Camden?” He shakes his head. “I can’t do that… it’s not safe.”
“I’ll be here. I can stay a few more days,” Graysen says, walking up behind us.
“Like you’re any better,” Nick snaps at the same time I tell Graysen to fuck off.
“Camden’s going to be here whether you’re here or not,” I tell Nick.
“I won’t let Camden hurt her.” Graysen’s gaze moves to me. “I’m not a bad person, Hayley.”
“I don’t trust you,” Nick says, gaze sliding to Graysen.
“Fine, but trust that out of anyone, I don’t want Camden to marry the Westling princess. I’ve worked hard my whole life. Camden hasn’t done shit to earn this.”
“It’s only a few days, Nick. Please,” I beg, shooting Graysen an annoyed look. “She’s my sister.”
Nick’s narrowed eyes slice to Graysen. “If anything happens to her when I’m gone, I’m blaming you.” He whispers a muttered, “Fuck,” under his breath and then says to me, “I’ll use the ticket I had booked for us. You sure this is what you want me to do?” I nod and he sighs.
My phone chimes and I frown. “This fucking day. Aiden and Casey are on their way over.”
Chapter 25
Nick’s sitting on the couch waiting for Aiden and Casey to show up, but I can’t sit still.
“He thinks I’m cheating on you,” I tell Nick as I pace back and forth.
“He messaged me earlier asking if I’d been online, but I never messaged him back. You don’t wanna tell him the truth?”
“I don’t want to risk it. Tilly comes back and it’s over. It’s almost over.” My words should cause relief, but they don’t. Every second, something changes, so I can’t trust that this will work out in my favor. “I don’t know what to tell Aiden,” I say. “Any thoughts?”
“This is a fucking mess. There’s bad blood between your families.” Nick runs his hand over the top of his head. “Camden, Aiden, Graysen, and I used to be close.”
“Really?” I frown. “What changed?”
“Camden flipped. He broke my cousin’s heart, publicized it, stole money from Nora and John, vandalized their house. Graysen spread rumors about Aiden being gay.” He shakes his head. “Nora and John stopped attending events the Anderson family would be at, and we stopped hanging out with them. Aiden’s going to be more than mad Camden’s here and hanging around you, he’ll be hurt. He’ll expect me to take his side in this.” He looks up at the ceiling and then scrubs a hand down his face. “This might ruin my friendship with him.” His worried gaze meets mine, telling me what I already know.
“I know I’m risking my relationship with Aiden. He might never trust me again. But that doesn’t have to happen with you and Aiden. Take his side.”
“Quit tryin’ to get rid of me, princess. I’m on your side, always. I just hope when everything comes out, he’ll know I was doing what was best for you. He’d want me to.” Nick does the only thing he can, pulls me against his chest and hugs me.
But his comfort doesn’t last long. The sound of the doorknob turning has us breaking apart. Aiden and Casey’s expressions have my stomach rolling. Lying has always come easy to me, but right now, it doesn’t feel like that’s going to be the case.
Aiden’s gaze shoots straight to Nick. “Did you see the pictures?”
“It was nothing,” Nick says in a monotone.
Casey shuts the door and hangs back as Aiden steps right up to Nick and me. Aiden’s face changes from angry to confused then back to angry. “I thought you and her were dating?”
“We’ve all been hanging out,” Nick says, crossing his arms.
“You’ve been hanging out with Camden?” Aiden asks, dumbfounded.
Nick shrugs.
>
“That’s it?” Aiden asks. “Are you fucking kidding me?” When Nick and I don’t say anything, he says, “Where’s my mom? She isn’t answering her phone.”
“Azure,” Nick says.
Aiden’s eyes narrow, and I move to fidget with my lip ring, but it’s not there. I took it out a few days ago and lost it. The stressful energy builds in the foyer and then Camden strolls into the living room sporting a swollen lip and blacking eyes. He’s changed his clothes and washed his face so no more blood, but it’s obvious he’s been in a fight.
Aiden eyes Camden’s face and then the cut on Nick’s upper cheek.
Crap.
Camden wraps his arms around my waist and isn’t gentle as he pulls me to stand in front of him. All three guys take in the scene, but I can’t look at Nick. I saw him stiffen and his hand lift like he was about to pull me back to his side.
“Tilly’s headed to a party tonight,” Camden whispers in my ear. “Drinking, drugs… sex, but don’t worry, Aaron’s watching her real close. I hope you haven’t told Aiden anything.”
My chest feels like it’s caving in, and my whole body is on fire. My eyes are on my brother, but I barely see him. I grit my teeth, trying to control the violent instinct to turn around and fight my enemy.
“You going to be ready for our date soon, babe?” Camden says, playfully shaking my stiff shoulders.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Aiden says, stepping up. “Get the fuck off my sister. Hayley, Camden is—”
“I think your sister can make her own choices,” Camden purrs.
Pulling me with him, Camden leads me the short distance to the couch and drops down with me on his lap. He brushes hair from my shoulder and begins to massage me neck. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me, but mine are on the floor, and my cheeks burn with what I think is shame. As soon as my sister’s home, I’m killing Camden.
“Are you seriously sharing her with Camden?” I hear Aiden growl. “My sister isn’t one of your groupies that you can corrupt.”
“This is fucked-up.”
That was Casey, I think. I can’t look at them. If I do, I’ll either be hurt or angry, and I don’t want to be either.
Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2) Page 15