by Lacey Silks
“I’m sorry, Grace. But I need to leave.” As soon as the first tear fell down my cheek, I pushed the door open and fled through the side alley. My apartment was only a couple hundred yards away. And the moment I got there and heard the clicking sound of the locks on the door as I fastened every single one with care, I felt the air in my lungs expand. No one knew about this place. No one except for Sonia and Emma, and there was no way Mateo would even know about her. Unfortunately, Cash didn’t know, either. I don’t know why, but after I moved into his condo, my apartment never came into our conversation again. I curled into a ball and crouched in the far corner of the room.
Unfortunately, in my hurry, I’d left my phone on the counter by Grace’s workstation. All I could do now was wait and pray that Cash would find me before Mateo did. But it seemed that my luck ran out way quicker than I could finish my prayer. The intimidating knock disguised under the tone of its softness sent shivers up my spine, and I felt my knees draw closer into my chest than before.
“Open up, Missy. I know you’re in there.” Mateo’s voice echoed. I could hear how close his lips were to the groove between the door and its frame, slithering in through the smallest of cracks into my apartment. This was the first time in over two years that I hadn’t felt safe here. I didn’t even dare to pull in the sniffle. I objected to any sound coming out of me and wiped my nose on my shirt. There was no way I’d give up my safety, not on my own.
“Open the fucking door, Missy!” He banged on it, his mood erupting as if he’d swallowed a Mentos and had just had a can of Coke to drink.
I jumped up a fraction but remained in my corner. For a few seconds it quieted on the other side of the door, and then I heard him picking my locks.
Shit!
“One down, two to go,” he said.
Double shit!
The second click made me retreat into my bedroom to under my bed. It wouldn’t take long before he was in here, but maybe I could make it a bit more difficult for Mateo to find me. When I heard the word two come out of his mouth with a tone of satisfaction, I pushed as far back against the bed frame as I could.
Three came much quicker. The chains I’d fastened were ripped out of the frame with one push as Mateo barged into my apartment.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he mocked. “I promise to kill you quicker if you do.”
I covered my mouth with my hand. My heart was pounding between me and the floor. The room darkened with his presence. I saw him approach and knew he would look below the bed next. Of course he would. Wasn’t that what happened in the movies? He crouched to the floor and lowered his head underneath the mattress. The hate-filled smirk was the same one I remembered on Rick’s face. “You’re going to wish that you drowned, sis.”
I kicked my foot out straight into his face. A crack echoed when it connected, and I was sure that I at least broke his nose.
“You bitch!” he yelled. “You’re going to regret this.”
He reached again, and despite my constant kicking and me trying to hold on to the bed legs from the back, he dragged me from underneath. I felt my nails dig into the carpet as I tried to desperately hold on. Once out, I headed for the door, but of course Mateo caught me and hit me in the face. I lost consciousness.
* * *
I woke up with throbbing pain in my head. I was sitting on a chair, my hands and feet were bound, and it seemed that Mateo had made an effort to remove my T-shirt and leave me in my tank top. Something was tied over my mouth, gagging me. A sharp discomfort stung my left arm, and I lowered my gaze. There, about a six-inch gap was cut through my skin. It was so deep that my flesh had parted, and I could see the muscle. It took everything I had inside me not to pass out at the bloody sight.
“Finally,” Mateo said. “I was beginning to worry you wouldn’t be conscious for this.” He lowered my gag and took a chair to sit in front of me.
“You need to let me go.” My hoarse voice hurt my throat as it passed through.
“No, Missy. I don’t. I’ve been waiting for this moment for two long years.” He flipped the scalpel he was holding between his fingers, and I just shook my head. I couldn’t believe that he found me here. How? This was my sacred apartment no one knew about.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“Let’s just say that we know the same people, little sister, and you really pissed them off when you tried to rob me.” He shook his head. “So I’m kind of killing two birds with one stone. I can finally get rid of you the way I planned all along, and get a good paycheck out of it too.”
Wagner? Could Cash’s father really be this ruthless? “You’re a sick son of a bitch.”
“It runs in the family, Missy. You know, technically I don’t think of you as my sister.” He stood up, walked around me, and slid his hand down my chest from behind. He grabbed my breast and squeezed it to the point of pain.
Oh God! “Please, don’t.” I whimpered.
“Why not? I could show you how good we are at some things.” The sound of his belt buckle opening made me sick. He wouldn’t dare, would he?
“Why don’t you just kill me?”
He crouched in front of me again and slowly pulled the scalpel around the tattoo on my arm. Blood seeped through the thin streak it left. “I will. Right after I fuck you and cut out the birthmark you’re so ashamed of.”
I sobbed. I wanted it over. I was so tired of running and hiding, and look where it got me. Mateo found out about my family anyways. He never gave up his search for his twin’s murderer. “Just get it over with, damn it!” I screamed.
“Oh, this will not be over too quickly. You will feel each cut the way you sliced Rick’s body. You know, you’re lucky I’m the one doing this. I could have easily sold you to a cartel, and they’d have a lot more fun with you.”
His face was close to mine and his breath stunk. I cringed away and he slapped me.
“Get the fuck away from her.” Cash’s voice boomed through the room. Mateo jumped up and pressed the edge of the scalpel to my neck.
Cash stood by the door with his feet set firm over the bloodied carpet. He didn’t even flinch. I gave him a sign with my fingers, one of the ones we practiced in the Bahamas, indicating the worst level of serious we could face, but I was sure Cash already knew that.
“Drop that gun, or I swear I will slice her before you get a chance to pull that trigger.”
I wanted to, but I couldn’t move. The blade was already cutting into my skin and I felt the first drop of blood run down my neck.
“Fine.”
What? “Cash. Don’t. He’ll kill you,” I said without moving, watching him stretch his arms to the sides.
And then my world turned crimson. There was a splatter of blood around me and Cash at my side, untying my wrists and my feet. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the echo of Mateo’s falling body.
“Don’t look, Sky. Just don’t look,” Cash repeated. “You’re safe now.”
“You killed him?” I asked.
“No, it wasn’t me. But he’s dead. It’s all over, baby. No more fear. No more hiding. You’re safe.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really. He was one sick bastard.”
Cut up and bloody, I fell into his arms. Cash held me against him until a team of paramedics arrived. Although healing on the inside would take a while, for the first time in my life, I felt relief and freedom.
* * *
With quite a few new stitches and lots of promises that we’d call if I wasn’t feeling well, the doctor agreed to release me home. I called Eric that night. And then Annabelle and my parents as well. I told them about Mateo and assured them that it was all over. When Grace called Emma and Cash, she told him where I lived and they set up my rescue. One of Emma’s men had shot him through the window from across the street. I didn’t have to hide any more. I didn’t need to stay away from my family. And as Cash cared for me over the next two weeks, I realized that through this tragedy my family had gr
own and the man who had taken me under his roof has opened up his heart in a way that few would have.
The man I now lived with was now my family as well, and as much as I wanted to tell him about his father’s betrayal, I couldn’t. It’d break Cash’s heart and I wasn’t ready to do that. I would do everything in my power to ensure that Cash had crossed the final item off his list to restore his family’s name the way he planned.
CHAPTER 21
No one could outdo a party hosted by Emma Cross; they wouldn’t even dare try. My sister-in-law appeared to be in her element as she greeted the guests, handed them drinks, and chatted with what seemed to be everyone at the same time, at her parent’s house. There was a long table set up on the lawn in the backyard of their New Jersey oceanfront home. Her nieces and nephews, her brothers’ kids, were running around throwing water balloons at each other. The two older brothers sat at the table with their father and my father, catching up on life. I didn’t hear them talk business even once. Cash seemed to have found a friend in both Eric and Derek. Grace sat in Hunter’s lap, sipping a cold beer. Those two couldn’t get their hands off each other.
I stood against the railing, watching Emma prance around with happiness as her entire family celebrated life. One day I hoped to be as happy as Emma. I mean, I was already. No longer haunted and safe, feeling this kind of freedom was everything I had ever wanted. If I could only tell Cash about how I thought it was his father who gave Mateo my address without hurting him, my conscience would be clean. Once every few moments, I caught Cash’s loving stare. He mouthed I love you toward me, and I felt like the luckiest woman alive. How could I break his heart with this news? But was it better being dishonest and letting him live with false hope that his father was a good man?
“So, you two are serious?” Annabelle startled me as she came from the side. “He looks like he’s head over heels in love with you.”
“Yes, we’re serious. I’m in love with him too.”
Annabelle pointed to my scarred arm. “Does it still hurt?”
“No, it’s fine. I haven’t felt this good in a long time. I’m finally free of him.”
My sister hugged me. I could feel tension leave her body as she whispered, “I know exactly what you mean. I just wish you didn’t go through everything alone.”
“I wasn’t alone.”
“You know what I mean, Sky. I love you. And I just wish I could have been there for you.”
“Can I ask you for advice, then?” I asked.
“Of course.”
“I don’t know what to do. I’m keeping something from Cash, something important, but if I tell him the truth, it will crush him.”
“What if you don’t tell him the truth? What are the consequences?”
“He’ll probably live in denial for a long time. He won’t see that he’s being used by his father.”
“Would you want to live this way?”
“No, I think I’d prefer to know the truth.”
“Then you’ve got your answer.”
I looked to my sister and hugged her again. “Thank you.”
“Okay everybody, family photo time!” Emma yelled out. Slowly, her brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews as well as our parents gathered on the deck. She carefully lined us up for the photograph. With all the kids complaining and making funny faces, it really took a long time; especially since Emma wanted everyone in perfect position.
Once everyone was ready, she said, “Okay, I’m taking one just of you guys, then I’ll join for another one so please don’t move. Everybody ready? Say.... Emma’s pregnant!”
What?
“What?” The gasps spread through the family as it dawned on everyone what Emma had just said.
“Mamma, why didn’t Auntie Emma say cheese instead?” I heard Jack ask Kendra, Emma’s sister-in-law, who simply let out a chuckle in reply. The little boy frowned but went on to hug his auntie the same way everyone else began doing.
There were cries and congratulations and so many hugs. I couldn’t believe my brother would be a father.
“I’m gonna be an aunt,” I whispered as Cash’s arms wrapped around me from behind.
“Yes, you’re going to be an aunt. Look at the family you have, Sky. It’s beautiful.”
I turned around and took Cash’s hands into mine, “There’s something I need to tell you, Cash.”
“Wait, you’re not pregnant, are you?”
“No.” I laughed. “Would that scare you?”
“No, but I’d prefer a heads-up. I’m not sure I deal well with surprises.”
“Then you better sit down for this one.”
“All right, now you’re scaring me a little.” He pulled me down into his lap. I took a deep breath in, hoping he’d understand me.
“Your father... I think he may have been the one who told Mateo where I lived. That’s what Mateo implied at least. And your father made it clear before we went to the Bahamas that he knew Mateo. I didn’t want to tell you this....” I felt my throat tighten. Would he be hurt? Would Cash lose the hope he’d always had for his family to be as immaculate as he imagined?
“You mean when my father threatened to tell Mateo about you if you didn’t sabotage the heist in the Bahamas?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“I had a chat with him that same night, Sky. He apologized for the threats. He did mention Mateo, but he also said how proud he was that he actually gave me his blessing before we went to the Bahamas. I think deep down he wanted to clean up the business but didn’t know how to. It was like an addiction he couldn’t get rid of. I’m not sure how Mateo knew where you lived, but I’m certain that my father had nothing to do with it. He’d lose not only me but also my mother. And as ruthless of a business man that he can be, there’s not enough money in this world that would make him betray my mother.”
“And now? You mean you two are all right?”
“Yes, we’re all right. He’s taking Mom on a vacation before he goes back to the office to work on a case.”
“A real case?”
“Yes, a real one. Want to know what else he said?”
“Yes.” I was afraid that my eyes were beginning to glisten. This couldn’t be true. My life couldn’t fall into place so easily, could it?
“He said that he really likes you. You stood up for me, Sky. Even when your life was threatened, you held your ground. You’re the bravest woman I know.”
“I did exactly what I know you would have done for me.”
“Which means we’re a good match.”
“Yeah, we are.” I kissed his tender lips. Heat licked through me, settling deep in my belly. I wished we were alone. I wished I could show this man exactly how much I loved him.
With his arms still around me, Cash said, “You know, at this point in my life I can’t imagine spending another day without you at my side. It wouldn’t be the same. I want you to be with me for the rest of my life.”
“Are you proposing?” I joked.
“Yes, Sky. I’m proposing.”
“What?”
Still holding me, he leaned in closer to my ear. “But don’t say anything to anyone just yet. We wouldn’t want to steal Emma’s thunder. And I promise to do it properly on one knee, all over again. But for now, what do you say? Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me, Skyler Waters?”
Cash pulled a little box out of his pocket and opened it. He removed a ring with a perfectly sized gem and slid it on my finger as I whispered, “Yes.”
* * *
Dear Reader,
While I’m sad to leave this series, I’m excited to announce that Nick Wagner, aka Scar, is getting his own book! At the end of January he will appear in a short story titled “When things go wrong”, and in early Spring 2015 he will star in “Cheaters Anonymous”. Nick is definitely one of the spicier characters I ever wrote about. And when I say spicy, I mean that you’d need a gallon of water to cool you down if you got within a foot of him. There will
be lots of licking, temptation and off-the-charts heat—and that’s before he touches anyone. After that, well, you may as well get a new set of panties, or just keep them off altogether.
Happy Reading!
Lacey
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About the Author
Author of Erotic Romance, Lacey Silks writes her stories from life experiences, dreams and fantasies. She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men with large feet and sexy lingerie, especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a ‘birthday suit’.
When she’s not thinking about writing steamy stories, which is a rare occasion, Lacey enjoys camping and skiing with her family (not at the same time of course). She’s a happily married wife blessed with two kids who adore going to the library. She’s an early bird by nature, but loves the nightly adventures with her hubby which provide good content for her books.
If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a review. All authors depend on the support of their readers to find an audience. Make your opinion count!
More Work by Lacey Silks:
New Adult/Erotic Romance Novels:
My First, My Last: a stand-alone erotic romance novel
Dazzled By Silver(a prequel to the Layers Trilogy – FREE!)
Layers Deep (Book 1)
Layers Peeled (Book 2)
Layers Off (Book 3)
Crossed Series is a spinoff from the Layers Trilogy:
Crossed (prequel to the Crossed Series)
Layers Crossed (Book 1)
Double Crossed (Book 2)
Crossed Off (Book 3)
Short Stories
My Only One (Free eBook) | Bossy Request (Free eBook) | Dance With Me
Teacher’s Pet | Over The Limit | My Neighbor’s Will
Reality in Each Fantasy (Erotic Shorts 1-3) Collection
Reality in Each Fantasy (Erotic Shorts 4-6) Collection
Mistresses Series: Meet Claire, Casey, Lexie, Paige and Amber in 5 connected shorts in the “My Reason To Cheat” Series.