Twisted Wrath (Twisted Fate Book 2)

by Ashley Jade

  I need to get out of here. I have to go back to New York...or somewhere.

  I run as fast as I can.

  I sprint past Maria and ignore the look of shock on her face on her face as she notices that I'm dripping wet and wearing nothing but my underwear.

  I don't have a suitcase, or any of my belongings, but I don't care.

  I have to leave.

  I pick up the phone and say a desperate prayer that Aaron or Nathaniel pick up this time.

  They don't, but I'm soon distracted when I hear the bedroom door slam shut behind Alex when he storms in.

  Maria looks at me. Her expression is pale and she appears to be seconds away from having a full on breakdown.

  She says something in Spanish to him. Almost like she's pleading for something.

  My stomach drops.

  Why is she acting like Alex is going to hurt me?

  He grabs Maria's arm and leads her to the door. “Leave!” he shouts before he slams the door again.

  I instinctively jump. I've never seen this side of him before.

  Then again, I've never seen him angry before.

  With the exception of the night I killed Diego.

  With the exception of the night he set me up to die.

  Now, my own anger feels like it's about to boil over.

  I reach for a pair of sweatpants to put on, but he snatches them away from me.

  “Fuck you Dev,” he screams as he backs me up into a wall.

  I draw in a deep breath. “Fuck you right back Alex.”

  His lips turn up in a snarl and he puts his hands on either side of my head, caging me in against the wall.

  My stomach knots up.

  “How dare you say that I used you. You have no idea what I risked when I fucking saved your ass that night.”

  I stare him down again. “You've got to be kidding me. You set me up in the first place. I loved you Alex. And please, it looks like you turned out just fine with your golf carts and daddy's mansion while I've spent the last 13 years of my life broken. Broken because of you and everything that you did to me."

  “You have no idea what I've been through Dev,” he growls.

  I jab my finger in his chest. “I don't give a shit Alex. Nothing that you've been through...could ever compare to the hell that I went through. The hell that you put me through, while you were off living the good life in your fathers mansion. I thought you were dead. Do you have any idea what that feels like? Do you have any idea what it's like to love and hate a person at the same fucking time!" I shout.

  He takes a step back as his eyes shoot razors into me.

  I'm daunted...until he takes off his tank top and turns around.

  Oh god.

  I've seen those marks before. I didn't think it was possible...but they're even worse then Tristan's.

  “Yeah sweetheart. Have a nice look. 13 years straight Dev. 13 years of being chained up and beaten every single day. Thirteen years of punishment for taking the fucking rap for what you did. They thought I killed Diego you fucking bitch...and I still protected you.”

  I swallow thickly and lean against the wall as the room becomes a blur.

  I'm fighting for air and I can't seem to get any.

  I feel him lean over my ear. “You left me for dead Dev. You ran away. Hell, if Diego didn't shoot me, I know you sure as fuck would have. I saw you empty the gun into his head. Then you just ran off. You didn't give a shit about me. So tell me Bonita...which one of us really have the right to be angry here?” he sneers.

  No...he's got it all wrong.

  I grab his shoulders and attempt to sturdy myself. “Don't fucking touch me,” he growls, low and deep.

  I flinch and my eyes widen. He's never spoken to, or treated me this way before.

  I don't listen. I wrap my arms around him anyway, because he needs to hear it.

  “I thought you died Alex. I killed him because I thought he killed you. I killed him because he took the only person I loved away from me. I killed him because I loved you so fucking much. I ran because I was scared. I thought you were dead."

  His eyes flash and then harden again.

  His eyes drop down to my mouth and his jaw tics. “I know exactly what it's like to love and hate a person at the same fucking time Dev."

  Like the flip of a switch, he crushes his mouth to mine.

  There are no thoughts of Tristan this time.

  There's only Alex...only us. Our fucked up past and our fucked up present blending together as one.

  He slams me up against the wall and I throw my legs around his waist.

  “Don't try and stop me this time Bonita...I deserve this,” he growls, as he nips at my neck.

  I don't...because I know he does.

  I don't, because there's a part of me that wants it too...and that will never go away.

  He peels my panties down as he bends me over the bed.

  “I hate you because I can't stop loving you,” he rasps against my ear before he mauls me.

  He thrusts into me fast and deep as I whimper his name.

  “Fuck...Alex,” I pant as my walls grip around his length.

  I shouldn't enjoy this. I shouldn't want this...but I do.

  He thrashes against me.“That's right Bonita, take it. Fucking take it.”

  I feel his hands grab my throat as his cock continues plunging into me, bringing the perfect amount of pleasure and pain as I cry out his name again.

  With one more thrust, I lose myself and come so hard I shudder.

  I hear him breathe my name as he trembles and falls against me.

  That's when I think about Tristan again...and I stop breathing.

  Chapter 25 (Tristan)

  I tilt my head as the cellar door opens. I'm expecting the usual suspects, but to my surprise...it's a woman wearing a maid uniform.

  She's holding a bucket and a washcloth.

  I guess after 12 days of being held prisoner, I'm finally granted a bath.

  I can barely talk after the last session I had. They pulled out the hot metal rods.

  They seared my back open and I'm pretty sure it's now becoming infected.

  My suspicions are confirmed when the maid gasps as she runs the warm cloth over my back and shouts. “Infectado.”

  I nod as she looks down at the floor.

  “Yup...this is the beginning of the end,” I grunt.

  She blinks at me with sorrow in her eyes.

  “Me llamo Maria,” she says.

  “Tristan,” I mumble.

  Her eyes open wide before she looks at the floor.

  Then I remember. Alex said something about Maria being Dev's personal maid.

  “Dev,” I whisper. She lifts her head and smiles.

  “How is she? Is she okay?” I croak.

  She blinks. Fuck.

  “Ella esta bien?” I ask.

  She nods and gives me a smile.

  I breathe a sigh of relief.

  She gives me another sympathetic glance before she picks up the bucket and bows her head.

  I hear her footsteps walk out the cellar door before they stop abruptly.

  I hear her arguing with someone and she keeps shouting. “Infectado.”

  “I don't give a fuck Maria, he's supposed to die,” Alex's voice growls.

  I hear her stomp her feet before the cellar door opens and he walks in.

  “How you holding up brother?” he sneers.

  “Fuck you.”

  He laughs. “Thanks, but I'm good. Especially after last night. You know, her pussy is still as tight as the last time I fucked her. Needless to say, we're making real progress in terms of our relationship."

  I narrow my eyes at him. I know he's only saying this to get a rise out of me.

  At least I sure as fuck hope so.

  Then...I'm confronted with one of my worst nightmares.

  He calls for two guards to come in. They quickly bring in a television and hit play.

  A video of Dev and Alex having sex p
lays on a constant loop for the next 24 hours.

  Now...I wish for death to come sooner rather then later.

  Chapter 26 (Dev)

  “It's been over two weeks since I last talked to you, I'm really starting to get worried. Please call me back Aaron, as soon as you get this."

  With a sigh, I hang up the phone and cry into my pillow.

  The soul-crushing ache in my heart is back.

  It was back the moment I had sex with Alex.

  I need to find a way to tell him that I don't want to be with him and that sleeping with him was a huge mistake.

  The sex was great, but there was something missing.

  He's not Tristan.

  Maria gives me a sympathetic glance as she hands me a tissue.

  I continue to weep as she strokes my hair.

  “I miss him,” I blubber.

  She understandably looks confused, and nods her head toward the door.

  She obviously thinks I'm talking about Alex.

  I shake my head. “No, not Alex. I love him, I do...but my heart and soul belong to someone else. I made a mistake sleeping with him. I still love Tristan."

  Her eyes open wide and she gives me a look filled with sorrow.

  “Te amo Tristan?” she asks.

  “Yes. Si. Very much.”

  I point to my heart. “Tristan.”

  She flings her arms around me and begins to cry with me.

  That's odd.

  I gently pat her back as she continues to sob. “Sotano,” she cries.

  I don't know what that means, but she's obviously very upset about something.

  I continue to console her for a little while longer.

  I wish more then anything that I had taken a freakin' Spanish class now.

  I hand her a tissue and she blows her nose.

  “Why is she crying?” Alex's voice interrupts us.

  Maria looks at me. Her eyes appear to be pleading with me about something.

  I don't know what she's trying to warn me about, but I decide to go with my gut and try and help her.

  “I was telling her about the movie The Notebook.”

  Alex shakes his head and laughs.

  “Look Bonita...something has come up. A work related thing. I won't be able to spend much time with you today, I'm sorry.”

  My gaze drops down and I take notice that he's wearing a suit again.

  I smile. Maybe now I'll actually have some time to think about how to end things between us.

  “That's okay, I understand. Listen, can we talk later?”

  He raises a brow and takes a step closer to me. “Yeah. Is everything okay?”

  For the first time in my life. I feel nervous around him.

  Then I see it again, the flecks of gold are gone. “You know, your eyes change color sometimes Alex?”

  He gives me an odd look. “What?”

  I shake my head. “Sorry. Everything is fine. Dinner later tonight?”

  He smiles and bends down to kiss my forehead. “It's a date Bonita.”

  He leaves and I look back to Maria. I see her entire body relax when he leaves the room.

  Something bad is definitely going on.

  I feel it now. I just don't know how to figure out what it is.

  Chapter 27 (Dev)

  Later that day I try calling Aaron and Nathaniel again.

  I'm now convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt, that something is seriously wrong with them.

  It then occurs to me to call and check my own messages. Maybe they left me a voicemail.

  I hit the button after the robotic voice on the other end informs me that I have two messages.

  The first one sends chills up my spine. It's from Aaron...but it's muffled.

  “You're the guy from the painting,” Aaron screams.

  The rest of the message is filled with bone chilling screams before it cuts off.

  Guy from the painting?

  No, it can't be. I must be hearing things.

  The next voicemail makes my heart skip a beat.

  It's from Tristan.

  “Baby it's me. Listen, there's something I wasn't honest with you about. I was trying you to protect you. I hope you don't hate me for this but...the man who's after you isn't my father. My father is dead. Alex is after you baby. He's alive and he wants you dead. I didn't have the heart to tell you before because I was afraid of what could happen once you found out. I was afraid that you wouldn't believe me, and if you knew he was alive you might put yourself in danger by running away to look for him. That's not the only reason though. I know you still love him and I was jealous Dev. I'm sorry, but I just didn't want to lie to you anymore. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. If you're hearing and finding out about this for the first time, then that probably means I didn't make it. If that's the case- please remember how much I truly love you Devonna. Remember, if you're still breathing then my heart is still beating...even in the afterlife. I love you more then anything...never forget that. I may not be yours, but you're my soulmate Dev.”

  My world stops right on it's axis at that exact moment.

  My friends are dead...Tristan is dead.

  My family is gone.

  My soulmate is gone.

  Alex killed them.

  This can't be happening.

  How could I be so blind? So fucking stupid?

  Maria tries shaking me before she puts a cool washcloth on my forehead.

  I ignore her...there's only one thing that I care about now.

  I need to find Alex.

  Chapter 28 (Tristan)

  Chills and pain engulf my entire body. I know I have a fever.

  I know I'm septic.

  I know the end is near.

  I only have a few more days left...if that.

  It's gotten so bad the guards have stopped beating me.

  They just let me lie hear and rot.

  Every so often Maria comes to check on me.

  She dabs at the tears in her eyes and tells me that she's sorry.

  I offer her a smile and tell her to keep watching over Dev.

  She's still the only thing that matters to me.

  As long as she's breathing and safe that's all that matters.

  Chapter 29 (Dev)

  There's a reason that wrath is one of the seven deadly sins.

  Right now...it's all I see and feel.

  I'm angry at myself for being so blind...but that doesn't compare to what I feel when it comes to Alex.

  In the blink of an eye...everything changes.

  I change.

  A frosty ripple runs through me...and then it stops.

  It becomes a tsunami of both havoc and rage.

  I channel my grief and despair into a boulder of destruction...and I intend to aim it exactly where it belongs.

  I storm down the spiral staircase with Maria following close behind.

  I pause when I notice the sea of people surrounding me.

  Some of them are in what looks to be guard uniforms...some of them appear to be gang members of some kind.

  All of them are big and scary.

  All of their guns are pointed right at me.

  “Pare...Alto, ” Maria screams from behind me.

  They reluctantly lower their guns.

  “Where is Alex?” I ask. My voice icy, my tone determined.

  A group of men snicker until one steps forward from the crowd.

  “He's in the warehouse,” he says.

  I push past them and start walking.

  I march toward the warehouse until a massive pair of arms haul me back.

  I've felt those arms before.

  “Moe?” I scream.

  He puts his hand over my mouth and lowers his lips to my ear.

  “Shut the fuck up. That is not my name here...do you understand?”

  I glare at him. “I always knew you were a fucking traitor.”

  He glares back at me. “I'm not a traitor. I'm undercover. Alex thinks that I'm one of h
is guards now. I'm here to find and rescue Tristan and if you use my name, you will ruin everything. My name is Carlos, got it."

  I nod my head and look down. Agony washes over me. “You're too late Carlos. Tristan is already dead. Alex killed him.”

  He lets go of me and rubs the back of his neck. “How do you know that Dev?”

  “I received a voicemail from him after he left. He told me the truth about Alex. He told me that if I was just hearing about it for the first time...it was because he was already dead. I only just heard the voicemail now. I had no idea. Alex also killed Aaron and Nathaniel."

  I pause and turn my lips up in a snarl. “And now...I'm going to make him pay.”

  Moe takes hold of my wrists and looks at me. “You can't make him pay Dev, no one can. He's unstoppable. You need to be on the inside to do it, that's why Tristan was going to do it himself. Alex is the fucking head of the Cartel now. He's worse then Hector ever was. He will kill you. Now, I promised Tristan that I would protect you. Unfortunately, Alex had the house on lockdown for the past two weeks. No guards were allowed to come near the property. He's obviously been putting up a front in order to trick you...but now's he's back. You missed your opportunity to leave. The only thing you can do now to ensure your survival is whatever the fuck he wants. Do not go after him Dev. You will get killed.”

  I push past him and continue walking toward the warehouse.

  “You don't wanna go in there Dev. Trust me,” he shouts.

  I proceed to ignore him and open the door to the warehouse.

  I'm greeted by more men with guns pointed at me.

  The men with guns seem to be forming a large circle around some kind of activity happening.

  I hear the screams of someone begging for their life.

  Then I see it.

  In the middle of the circle...is Alex.

  I watch as he pulls out a fairly large sword. He gives a smirk before he leans down over the man kneeling in front of him, who is wearing something on his head.

  “Any last words?” he asks.

  The man says something in Spanish through loud sobs.

  My eyes glance over to another man who is also crying. That man is standing on top of a chair.

  Some guards have their guns pointed at him and he's understandably very visibly shaken.