Chapter 28
Sipping on a vodka cranberry, I’m up to my waist in lukewarm water. I needed the drink to calm my nerves, but I’m only going to have one. I don’t want to get drunk and do something stupid like slaughter Camden and go to jail. When I murder the psycho freak, it will be meticulously planned so I can continue to enjoy the freedom life has to offer.
“What are you plotting, little one?” Camden asks as he swims toward me from the other side of the pool steps.
“Killing you,” I say honestly.
“You better make sure that when you attempt to murder me, you actually do because if you don’t—”
“You’ll do something horrendous to one of my family members, right?” I scoff. “It’s getting old, Camden.”
His eyes flash with anger, and his hand shoots out to snatch the drink from my hand. “Someone’s in a bad mood.” He puts the glass to his swollen lips and takes a gulp.
“You make me that way, asshole,” I say, despite the fear creeping up my spine as he backs me up against the pool wall. We’re all alone. He could easily overpower me and hold me under.
Camden finishes off the drink and then tosses the glass over my shoulder, shattering it against the concrete patio. “What did I say about talking back?”
I glare and then flinch as his hand moves toward my face. I open my eyes when I feel his fingers in my hair. He lets a thick strand slip through his fingers.
Good. He noticed.
“Like it?” I smirk at his scowl. I cut a few inches off before coming down. It’s still long but not as long as it was. Ever since he mentioned liking long hair, I’ve wanted to chop mine off.
His leg brushes against mine under the water. “Now that you’re nice and wet, let’s move to the patio.”
“I don’t want to,” I grind out, my gaze moving to the left as movement catches my eye. Graysen drops down to one of the patio chairs even though I told him not to follow me. I’m a little glad he didn’t listen.
Camden pops a brow. “I would have rather taken you out for a nice meal, but here we are.” He waves a hand in front of his bruised face.
Reluctantly, I follow him to the patio set. Clutching a bottle of vodka, Graysen’s narrowed gaze tracks Camden and me. Camden grabs the small circular pillow from the chair before sitting down. I watch as he places the pillow on his lap and then ushers me forward. I move to sit on his lap, but he shakes his head and smacks the back of my thigh.
“Other way, little one. This needs to be more intimate.”
I bite down on my cheek as I position a leg on either side of his waist and then slowly sink down to his lap.
Thank fuck there’s a pillow between us.
“Good girl.” His fingers skim down my lower back, making me shiver. “Since you insist on being present, brother, make yourself useful and take some photos.” Camden unlocks and then slides his phone across the table to Graysen. “It’ll speed the process up if you help,” Camden says, seeing the reluctance on Graysen’s face. “Not sure if I want that or not, though. It seems you like to see my wife nearly naked and legs spread. I bet you have a nice view of her ass from there.” Both of Camden’s hands move to my hips and he shifts beneath me.
I hear Graysen snapping pictures of us as he moves from behind me to my side. Camden’s palm spreads out over my upper back, pressing firmly until my chest is pressed against his. His skin is warmer than mine and causes my whole body to shiver. He uses his finger to tilt my chin back until our eyes are locked.
“Don’t move,” he whispers as both of his hands slide down my body to cup my ass.
The stupid fucking pillow has raised areas on it and one part is pressing right against my clit. The slightest movement adds pressure to that sensitive spot. I hold my breath, hoping that will stop my body from feeling what it is.
Why did he put the pillow between us? It would seem like that was a kind act, but Camden isn’t kind.
“What if I were to slip a finger under your suit, little one? What would I find?” He licks his lips, the smell of cranberry lingering on his breath. “Would you be wet? It’s okay to like bad things. Look how hard you’re—”
I roll off his lap, landing on my feet and straightening. My heart’s pounding against my chest. What the fuck is wrong with me? I was getting turned on. Why the fuck do assholes turn me on? Your body, Hayley, not your mind, my thoughts whisper, reminding me that I am not the way my body responds. My shrink used to say that.
Camden’s eyes narrow as I stand frozen and breathing heavy. A hand drops down on my shoulder, and I whirl around to face Graysen.
“You okay?” He tosses the phone to Camden. “You got your pics, asshole. Hayley, my brother is fucked in the head. End this now and marry me. I’ll be good to you.”
“Don’t be mad that I’m doing what you couldn’t, pretty boy.” Camden taps at the screen. “Damn, we do look—” Camden frowns at the screen and then looks up at me. “Little one, I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to answer me honestly.”
He slowly gets up from the chair, eyes wild and energy chaotic. I’m a little bit scared, if I’m being honest. He’s willing to push the limits to get what he wants. Graysen must sense something’s off because he steps in to block me from Camden’s eyes.
“Move, Graysen. I don’t want to hurt you.” Camden glares at me over Graysen’s shoulder. “Where is Nick, Hayley?”
My brain works quickly to process the situation. Why’s he asking that again? He was looking at the pictures on his phone. His phone. Someone must have messaged him.
“He’s with Aiden,” Graysen says.
Camden’s attention snaps to Graysen. “Wrong answer.” His fist shoots out and smashes into the side of Graysen’s face. Graysen crumples to the concrete, out cold.
I swiftly take several steps back, almost falling into the pool. Camden steps with me, holding out his phone in the small space between us.
“Am I on speaker?” the voice on the phone asks and Camden confirms he is. “Good. If her sister leaves with Dominick, her father will die. That’s the cost. Let them decide. I’m pulling up now.” There’s the sound of a car door, and then, “Oh, and brilliant idea using her sister. Nora didn’t give me that bit of information. Dumb whore probably didn’t think to use her, thought her junky dad would be all she needed to comply.”
Camden shakes his head. “You’ve been a bad girl, little one.”
Chapter 29
Graysen groans on the ground while Camden snatches my upper arm and yanks me forward.
“Who was on the phone?” I try pulling away, but his fingers dig in harder. “That was your dad, right? Where is he?” I ask, hoping he isn’t at my sister’s school.
“My dad was right to send me. He knew I was what it would take to finish this. He should have never sent Graysen,” Camden says as he pulls me toward the house.
“Camden!” I scream. “What did you do?”
He stops abruptly. “You almost had me. I thought Nick was smart and left, but nope. You sent him to get your sister, and he’d do anything you ask because he feels so fucking guilty.”
“What are you talking—Holy shit!” I jump back as Graysen tackles Camden to the ground. Graysen lands a couple blows before Camden gains the upper hand. I don’t want any part of them or that or this. I don’t want to be here anymore.
I step around them and walk quickly toward the house where I plan to barricade myself in my room.
I slow my steps when a tall figure steps around the side of the house, and I stop completely when his icy blue eyes meet mine. I almost think I see him smile, but as his eyes find the boys behind me, he frowns.
“That’s enough!” Alexander snaps.
Alexander’s eyes move back to me. I knew something was off the day I met him, and I see it now. He’s a narcissistic sociopath. I’m frozen in place because to get to the house, I’d have to pass him, and he screams danger.
“Dad,” Camden and Graysen say at the same time.
<
br /> “Come on, Graysen. It’s time to come home. Camden has things under control here, right, son?” he sneers.
Camden steps next to me, taking my hand in his. “Just like I said I would. We’ll announce our engagement next week.”
I want to speak, to tell them all to fuck off but I’m replaying what he said on the phone. He knows Nick is in England and coming to bring my sister home. He’s probably already told her if she comes back, our dad will die. She won’t come back now. She’ll be there with Aaron, and Camden will be here holding her over my head.
I’ve never thought about suicide, but if I were to die, both my sister and my dad would live. Everything would go back to normal, and I could escape this nightmare. It’s such a freeing thought. I can see why people take their lives if they see no other way to escape the torment.
My breaths are ragged and sharp. My head swims and when Camden begins pulling me toward the house and past Alexander, I don’t fight him. Not at first. By the time we make it inside, I manage to pull myself together.
I raise my hand and slap him across his face. I can barely feel the sting because my whole body is hot with rage. I’m ready for a fucking fight. I’ll welcome the pain.
“You need to learn to keep your hands to yourself.” He scoops me up, hauling me over his shoulder.
I jab my fists into his kidneys as he carries me up the stairs. I’m tossed onto his bed. I roll away but he wrestles me down and handcuffs my wrist to his footboard.
He pulls his ringing phone from his pocket and puts it to his ear, panting from wrestling with me. “Nora,” he says. “When?” He brushes his hair back and wipes sweat from his brow. “Okay.” He slaps my foot when I try to kick him. “I know, I know. I’m not an idiot.” He angrily shakes his head and pockets his phone. “Daddy John and Colt are coming to see you tomorrow before filming in New Orleans. Sad you won’t be here to see them.”
“You gonna keep me locked up? For how long, Camden? Will you force me to marry you and then keep me locked in a room for the rest of my life?” I wouldn’t put it past him to do that. His body may react to mine, but I can see in his eyes that he doesn’t want me for keeps. He doesn’t look at me the way Nick does.
“I’ll take you out occasionally to dress you up and take your picture, babe. Gotta keep the media on our side.” He glances at his phone and laughs. “Your boyfriend must be desperate if he’s resorted to calling my phone. I’m sure you can figure out what’s going to happen. Nick will be coming back empty-handed. Your sister isn’t like you. She won’t sacrifice her dad’s life.”
Nick can’t come back. I’ll end up pissing Camden off. It’s not in my DNA to submit. “Let me talk to Nick. I’ll convince him not to come back. That’ll make things easier for you, won’t it? Having Nick around pounding your face every day would suck for you, not me. You know he won’t be able to stop himself.” I fight to find a comfortable position, but every movement has the metal scraping against my wrist. I manage to twist enough where I’m able to lie on my stomach with my feet at the pillows.
Camden studies me. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t want him here!” I lie. “Having him here, watching… him seeing what I’m having to do… it makes me fucking sick.” That part is true and so is the emotion that spills out.
“And how are you going to get him to stay away?”
I think for a moment. “Why did you say Nick felt guilty?”
“Nick and Aiden both do. They think they’re the reason you were taken,” he says with a smug smirk.
“What?”
“I guess story time is overdue.” He sits on the edge of the bed. “The day you were taken, you lot were playing hide and seek. It was your turn to hide but Nick bullied you into counting for a second time.” He chuckles. “From what I hear, Nick hated you. But to be fair, he doesn’t like many people.” He shifts on the bed. “But I’m getting off track. So, they were hiding when they heard people in the house, and get this,” he says, “Nick remembers hearing them say to grab the boy. So, they know people are inside, even heard you scream, but they stayed hidden. Those people had been looking to kidnap Aiden but instead they got you.”
“How would you know that?” I ask, not trusting his words at all.
“Nick told me. Alcohol loosens guilty lips. He blames himself for not being strong enough to help you.”
“They were children. That isn’t their fault. Maybe he didn’t realize what he was saying because he was drunk.”
“I’m sure Nick didn’t tell you, but him and I used to be best friends. I even stayed with him and his family while I attended a boarding school in New York.”
“He didn’t mention that,” I say, trying not to show my surprise.
“I was nice letting Nick stay here when I ultimately have the power to send him away. I don’t need you to do it,” Camden says.
“Yeah, but he’s more likely to actually stay away if it comes from me.”
With a roll of his eyes, he hands over his phone and says, “Only because him hearing it from you will cut him deeper.”
I pull up the missed calls, hitting dial on the name “Cabot.” Nick answers right away.
“Let me talk to her, motherfucker. If you hurt her—”
“Nick, it’s me,” I say, barely above a whisper.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. Is Tilly okay? Are you with her?”
“I’m here. She’s… she’s upset. She doesn’t want to leave. I’m coming back without her—”
“No, Nick.” I hate myself for asking him this. “I need you to stay there for a little longer—”
“What?” His tone is deep and dark.
“I need you to watch out for my sister—”
Cursing under his breath, Camden reaches for his phone because he didn’t expect me to ask Nick to stay in England. I shove the phone between my ear and the bed while trying to swat Camden away.
“She made her choice, Hayley. I’m coming back. I—”
“Everywhen,” I say, struggling to keep Camden back. “You’ll do it because you failed me before, Nick. When I was taken, and you hid. You could have called for security or found me before the—”
Camden pries the phone from my hand before I can finish.
“Where would you rather him be, Camden? Here, trying to sabotage this or thousands of miles away in England.” I swallow the stupid lump in my throat. I almost let myself completely fall for Nick. Everything was so perfect. I knew it wouldn’t last.
I’ve always known my sister was the one with the bright future. She can still have that. Once I’m married, she’ll be free.
“Let me say goodbye.”
Camden stares at me before putting the phone to his ear. “You heard her, Nick.” He hangs up and shoves the phone into his pocket. “Guess it’s just you and me, little one.”
Chapter 30
I’m bound, gagged, and locked in Camden’s closet. I’ve been in here for hours, and my bladder is about to burst. I clench my core and my thighs. Camden wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t be able to make noise that John or Colt might hear, so here I am. Each wrist is tied to a pole on either side of me, and my legs are tied together, the rope covering my thighs, knees, and calves so I can barely bend them.
I’ve talked myself out of a few panic attacks already. I was locked in a closet by a bad foster mom on the nights I refused to eat the shit for food she’d make for dinner. The suffocating weight of my panic is a hundred times worse now that I’m completely immobilized.
I need to pee! I scream into the gag and shake my head back and forth, the only movement I’m capable of.
Fuck it.
It takes me a second to let go, but then, warm urine soaks my pants and the carpet. I smile around the gag. Camden’s closet is going to reek. My arms ache. My legs ache. I retreat into my mind, picturing a different time, something to distract me from this torture.
“When you’re not letting your past control you,
I see such beauty and light. But either way, you’re authentically you, Hayley. I love you so much. My beautiful girl, my life.” My mother hugs me against her. She smells like laundry soap and coffee.
“I’m sorry, Lisa,” I murmur, really meaning it even if my tone doesn’t portray it. I don’t know why I hate apologizing, and I don’t know why my mom keeps giving me so many chances. I think about calling her mom out loud, but every time I open my mouth to say it, fear stops me. I don’t want to jinx anything. It’s only been a year. She could still send me back.
“It’s okay. We all make mistakes, Hayley.” Her smile is so warm and kind. I hope she never gives me away.
She was the definition of love. She never yelled or shamed us. It’s not fair that someone so amazing died.
The pain of the memory hurts worse than the present, so I let the now come flooding back. The throbbing in my arms and legs helps to block out the past. I want to bend my knees. I want to scratch my fucking leg. I arch my back. Fucking Camden.
Finally, I hear footsteps nearby. I hold my breath and strain to hear. A door opens, more footsteps, and then the closet door handle moves. The door swings open and two men stare at me—Camden and his fucker of a dad.
Side by side, they look nothing alike. Camden’s wearing shredded jeans and a black hoodie with a neon green skull. Alexander is in an expensive suit. He has a fancy silver watch on his wrist, and black shiny shoes on his feet.
Alexander’s eyes shine in amusement and he laughs, but it’s cut short when his nose wrinkles in disgust. “Did she piss herself? That’s disgusting.”
Camden steps forward, leaving his dad in the doorway. “Don’t embarrass me. I’m going to untie you. You’ll clean yourself and then meet us downstairs in the living room. Do you understand?”
Obviously, I can’t talk. I could nod or shake my head, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to answer him, and I don’t want to listen to him. Maybe asking Nick to stay in England was a bad idea. Knowing he’s there to protect my sister will make me be more defiant. If anything happens to my dad, Tilly will blame me. But she doesn’t see what the fuck I’m going through.
Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2) Page 17