We drive for a while in silence. “Hey.” She turns to me, flashing a smile. “You’re quiet. You okay? Shit, stupid question really…”
“No,” I cut her off. “I’m okay.” I smile before turning and glancing out of the window. “You know, one day…” I pause, tilting my head to the side, “one day I should go back there, where Dad kept me locked up. Even if it is just to burn the place down.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through, and if that’s what it takes for you to move on, then I say do it,” she says with an assertive nod.
“Glad I’m not the only crazy one around here,” I say, rolling my eyes and flashing her a sideways smile.
Looking out of the windshield, I notice we are finally pulling into the entrance to Carter’s, the usual security on the door.
“Shit,” I murmur, craning my neck to look at the guys standing at the entrance. “Do you think we’ll get in?” I’m not sure if it’s the panic setting in, but I start tapping my leg, my eyes wide and on Tara.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I don’t think I have any choice. Walking away without getting answers is like living on a knife’s edge. I just have no idea what will happen. And I can’t live in fear, I can only face it. Whatever this is, whatever he has planned, I need to deal with it head-on.”
“Dammit.” She slaps her hand against the steering wheel. “You amaze me. Your fire and determination are admirable.”
“Not really,” I reply with an absent shake of my head. “It’s just my survival instincts kicking in.”
“Well, whatever it is, I think you are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Now, let’s go in there and face him together.” Taking my hand, she clutches it tightly and I reciprocate, squeezing lightly.
“Thank you for doing this.”
“You don’t need to thank me. We’re friends, and I’m pissed for you. After all, he’s my cousin.”
“This isn’t your fault.”
“No, but when it’s your own flesh and blood, you can’t help but feel a little responsible. But I promise you, I’m nothing like him. My mother sheltered me from the world our family lives in for as long as she could.”
“You’re here with me, supporting me. That means more than you’ll ever know.”
“Let’s get this over with.” She swings her door open, stepping out of the car. “Hey, tell my cousin we are here to see him,” Tara shouts to the two huge guys standing in the doorway.
“Is he expecting you?” the one with the shiny bald head asks. I make my way over, following just a step behind Tara. She knows Carter better than I do, so I’m happy to let her take the lead.
“Look, dickless. Just let us in. I’m his cousin. I don’t understand why you’re being so damn difficult.” Crossing her arms, her shoulders sag as she lets out a huge sigh.
“I’ll radio him,” the other guy informs us, turning and speaking into the handheld radio he’s just plucked from his waistband.
Goose bumps cover my skin the second I hear his voice come over the radio. “Send them in.”
Stepping aside, the two men hold their arms out, securing the doors open. “You got lucky this time,” the bald-headed guy sneers. “He’s out back. Beside the pool,” he informs us with a nod. Tara glares at him, shooting him a quick, sarcastic smile.
“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath as we charge through the hall and to the door that leads outside. I clutch my purse in my hand and I can’t help but notice how much it shakes. I’m fueled on anger and fear. A dangerous combination.
“You good?” Tara asks, looking at me over her shoulder.
I nod, straightening my posture, ready to face him. The man who may be responsible for ruining my life.
“Well, it didn’t take you long. I’ve been expecting you,” he drawls out, lazing back in the patio chair, his face pointing up to the sky. “What’s wrong, Isabelle? Scared to come alone?”
“I’m not scared of you,” I say with a scoff.
“Really? Are you sure about that?” He sits upright, looking me dead in the eye. “Because I think I do scare you and I also think it turns you on.”
“Carter,” Tara yells at him. “You have to stop this. NOW.”
“I don’t have to do anything.”
“We came here for answers,” she says, glaring at him. “Isabelle deserves to know the truth.”
“I told her the truth the other day at the bar. Isn’t that right, Isabelle?”
Shuddering, I cross my arms over my heaving chest, trying to find the right words. “My mom told me you were the cause of my father keeping me locked up all those years. But there’s something else I need to know,” I say with a gulp, my nerves evident in the way my voice sounds. I’m trying to control my emotions, but sometimes it’s easier said than done.
“What?” he asks, pushing himself out of the chair, his hands sliding into his pant pockets as he saunters toward us. I instinctively step back, holding my hand out to him. “Don’t come any closer,” I warn him.
“Why?” He smirks, continuing to take steps toward me. “You think I want to hurt you, Isabelle?”
“I don’t know,” I yell at him. “I have no idea what your agenda is right now, but I do know one thing. I don’t trust you. Not in the slightest.”
“She can trust me, can’t she?” he says smiling at Tara standing beside me.
“What is going on with you?” She swallows down hard, pointing her finger at him. “I’m ashamed to call you family.”
“Oh, get over yourself, you righteous little bitch.” He storms toward her, stretching out his hand as he wraps his fingers tightly around her throat. “You are a Mellano. You seem to have forgotten that small little detail.”
“Get off her,” I roar, tugging at his arms, trying to get him to release his hold on her. I frantically tug, her hands scratching and clawing at his hands around her neck. I grapple with his hands, finally getting him off of her. Only then, he turns his attention to me.
This is a mess.
Shit.
Tara drops to the floor, gasping for breath. I look down, trying to locate my purse, realizing that in my attempt to help Tara, I dropped it on the ground. Carter's hand grasps a handful of my hair, tugging painfully hard as he tilts my head back.
“You knew about Alvrez, didn’t you? This was all your doing.”
“Well, aren’t you a clever little thing? How did you work it out?”
“I didn’t,” I manage to force out. “Call it a gut feeling.”
“Years, Isabelle. Years I listened to that whiny little bitch talking about you. About how he couldn’t move on with his life. All the while, I knew you should be mine, that when we did find you, I’d claim you for myself. Only Brax became my friend, and a damn good money-making machine. We hired detectives, and eventually they tracked you down. It was hard to keep that a secret. I was working tirelessly to come up with a way to have you to myself, that’s where Alvrez came in…”
“If you wanted me, why get Alvrez to pick me up? He tortured me, raped me, Carter!”
“That was never part of the plan.” He shakes his head, closing his eyes. “I had no idea that he wouldn’t be able to control himself around you. It was only ever supposed to be temporary, you have to believe me. I wanted to be the one to take your virginity, to claim you as mine and only mine. But it seems that you have quite an effect on men, Isabelle. Everyone wants a taste of you.” He lowers his mouth to mine, darting out his tongue before pressing his lips against mine.
“Let her go.” Tara manages to get on her feet.
“My purse, Tara,” I rush out, and strain to watch as she scrambles for the purse. Taking it in her shaking hand she struggles to open it, but manages to find the gun, pulling it out and holding it toward Carter.
“You’re really doing this? You’re pulling a gun on me?” He glowers at Tara, her hand shaking as she points the gun directly at him. Dragging me, he positions me in front of him
, shielding himself from the line of fire. I suck in a sharp breath of air, cowering at the site of the gun now pointing at me.
“Drop it.” He growls his instructions. Tara’s eyes flicker between me and Carter and I allow my eyes to close a little, letting her know that she should do as he says.
“I’ll put it over here,” she informs him, slowly side-stepping over to the glass outdoor table. Placing it down, she looks over at us warily, wondering what her next move will be. “So, what now? What is it you want, Carter?”
“You came here. You tell me.”
“I came for the truth,” I choke out.
“So now you have it, you want me to do what? Let the both of you go so that you can run back to your little boyfriend and tell him what really happened?” he murmurs against my hair, his warm breath causing me to shudder.
“He doesn’t know we are here. I haven’t told him anything.”
“She’s telling the truth, Carter.” Tara holds her hand out to him, pleading not only with her soothing voice but with her beautiful brown eyes too. “Just let her go. We’ll leave now. We won’t say a word to anyone about this.”
“Yeah,” I say in agreement. “I’ll keep this to myself, just like last time. You know, I didn’t tell Brax about what happened in the bathroom. You can trust me. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
“That’s not enough.” He shakes his head adamantly. “You know, I’d given up on you. I told myself that maybe you were always meant to be with Brax, and that I could move on and forget about you. But I can’t. Seeing you again made me realize why I wanted you so much in the first place. Braxton isn’t the only one that has searched for you, or waited for you.”
“I’m not a car, or a dog you can just pass around.”
“I claimed you way before Brax got his fucking hands on you.”
“You’re crazy,” I gasp. “A complete nut job if you believe that bullshit. My heart and soul has only ever belonged to Brax, no matter what delusional ideas you have in your head!” I look over to where Tara was standing; only she’s gone. My eyes scan the surrounding area in a panic as I look for her.
“There’s nothing he can do to save you now.”
“What are you going to do to me?” I choke out, fighting back the tears that are on the verge of breaking the seal. Clasping my chin in his grip, he drags my face until my eyes meet his. They are so dark, they borderline black. Narrowed on me, I can’t help the shudder that wracks through me. “I’m keeping you. Making you mine. As for you…” He snaps his head, looking for Tara.
“Fuck,” he growls, his hand landing heavily on the back of my neck, causing me to cower, his grip is so tight. “Where the fuck did she go?”
“I don’t know,” I offer weakly.
“Fucking bitch,” he growls, dragging me with him as he storms inside and over to the guys standing at the door.
“She left?”
“Uh, yes, sir.” The bald-headed guy looks at us in confusion.
“You fucking piece of shit,” he roars. “And you didn’t think it was weird she was leaving alone?” He pushes his free hand through his short brown hair. “Well done, cocksuckers.” He throws his hand in the air in resignation. “We are going to need men. I want this place locked down. Nobody comes in or out of here without my approval.”
My legs become shaky as sharp pains shoot through my neck. The hairs on my arms stand on end as fear rips through me. Once again I’m captive, but now I know the one man behind all of this is the one holding me now. Turning and forcing me down the hall, he keeps his grip tight on my neck.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. Carter, let me go.”
He laughs, a deep bellowing laugh, and I instantly hate it.
“What!” I shout at him. “What is so funny?”
“I was just wondering whether you would sound as sweet when you’re begging for me to stop.”
“You don’t want to do this. You know you’re no match for Brax. He’ll kill you,” I spit back, knowing our lives hang in the balance, trying to get Carter to see sense. “Stop this now, just let me go.”
“It’s too late.”
Tears blur my vision of where he’s taking me, but rage blooms inside me. No way have I survived everything I’ve been through, to surrender to this asshole. Dragging me into a room, the door slams shut behind me.
I let a solitary tear slide down my face.
I won’t die this way.
Only the strongest survive.
I’ll fight him until he’s the one begging for me to stop.
I will get my revenge for everything he’s done.
Feet on the coffee table, beer in hand, I sit with Nate as we talk over our triumph.
“I told you it would be okay,” he says with a shrug of his shoulders. “Jeffries is an asshole, but I think we have reached an understanding.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” I say, reaching out and shaking his hand. “Here’s to working together, fucker,” I joke, tilting the bottle until they meet and clink. I reach down, grabbing my smokes, resting it against my lip while I use the lighter to ignite it. I grunt at the sound of Nate’s phone ringing. Turning onto his side, he digs into his ridiculously tight jeans pocket, retrieving the phone.
“Tara,” he says with a smile that crinkles the skin around his eyes. Loved-up fucking pussy, I think to myself.
“Hey,” he answers, trying to act all cool, and I can’t help but chuckle. His eyes dart to me, and his face falls. “What is it? I need you to calm down and speak a little slower.”
“What?” I ask, sitting up and pressing my cigarette in the ashtray. “What the fuck’s wrong?”
“He’s got her,” she cries down the phone. “It’s Carter. He’s been behind the whole thing.”
Snatching the phone out of Nate’s hand, I hold it to my ear. “Where is she?” I ask calmly.
“She’s at Carter’s. I managed to scramble out of there, but she’s still there, Brax. I couldn’t do anything…” she sobs, and the anger brews deep inside.
“Where are you?” I ask, leaping off the sofa and over to the window.
“I’m driving. I’m coming over. You need to know everything,” she sniffles and I turn to Nate, now standing beside me, handing him the phone. My head thuds as much as my heart does. I start pacing back and forth, waiting for her to arrive. I feel a fucking pain, deep in my gut, like some fucker just ripped it out.
“How is this possible?” I turn to ask Nate. “What the fuck is going on? And what does Carter want with Isabelle?”
“I’m confused as fuck,” Nate says patting me lightly on the back.
“She’s here,” I blurt out, opening the gates and racing out of the door. She parks the car on the drive, jumping out and racing toward me, breathlessly.
“Brax,” she heaves, resting her hand on my chest and I instinctively wrap my arms around the girl who has become more than just Carter’s cousin. She’s become a friend. “We need to get over there. He has her and I’m worried what he’ll do.”
“What were you doing there?” Nate asks, cutting in.
“It’s such a long story.”
“You need to spit it out and fast. What the fuck has been going on?”
“That night at the bar.” She steps back from me crossing her arms nervously. “Carter came into the bathroom, talking all kinds of crazy shit to Izzy. He told her she was destined to be with him or some shit, and that her father was hiding her from him.” She talks animatedly, her arms flying and her words tumbling out faster than I’ve ever heard anyone speak before. “Anyway, we went to see her mom, to try to get the truth. Her mom admitted that her father worked for Carter but got into debt that he couldn’t repay. Carter claimed Isabelle as payment for the debt. Her mom and dad hid her away.”
“Fuck,” I say clenching my fist, rubbing my fingers across it.
“But it doesn’t finish there…”
I look at her with wide eyes. “Carter knew where she was. Those investigators you hir
ed informed Carter of her whereabouts, but he couldn’t do anything because he didn’t want to jeopardize your working relationship. He loved the fact that he had that control over you, Brax. That he gave you a reason to keep working with him because essentially he was funding the search for her. And, as he admitted, you were a hothead working to make him a very rich man.”
“Motherfucker,” I growl. “I will kill him,” I snarl, spinning on my heel, ready to storm back inside and gear up.
“Stop,” Tara shouts after me, grabbing hold of my t-shirt, pulling me to a stop. “Carter found out right away that her father had died, and sent Alvrez to get Izzy. They were in on this together. This was him, all him. And now he finally wants the prize he’s been waiting all these years for.”
“No,” I say in denial. “I know he’s an asshole, but I would’ve known. Surely, I would’ve known, right? Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Because nobody knew.”
“But why did you go there? Why didn’t you come and tell me what the fuck was going on?”
“Izzy was beside herself at the thought that Carter was behind everything she went through with Alvrez. She wanted answers, and I wasn’t about to let her go there alone. I actually thought me being there would help her. That Carter would be reasonable since I’m his cousin. But it didn’t help. I’m so sorry.”
“Her mother knew. I can’t believe this shit. Why the fuck didn’t she come clean?”
“This is fucked up for sure, but what matters right now is working out how we are going to get Izzy back,” Nate adds, reaching for Tara and pulling her into his chest.
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