The Deadliest Secret (The Deadliest Series)

by Lauren Peyton

  Torrian checked in his equipment then went to the locker room to retrieve his bag then to the boat to take him to the main land so he could go check on Gwen. He was concerned about her. She looked rattled lately, undoubtedly she was concerned about so much more than he could ever imagine. Torrian hung his arms over the edge of the boat while it splashed through the waves as it hurried to the Steilacoom dock. He got into his mustang and started it up, the vibrations from the engine was a comfort to him. The cement flew beneath the tires, the twists and turns in the road were a second nature to him now, they were taking him to his new home, to his heart. He knew just what he had to do.

  Monday was a drug hazed blur for Kody. He didn’t remember how he got to his regular cell, he didn’t even remember taking more of the drugs. They altered his mind and took away some of the pain, but the biggest one was still Gwen. She had denied him hard and cold. She was obvious cheating on him; she had to be fucking that guard Ford. He was like a hawk around her his eyes were shrewd like he wanted to look into your soul, too late, he didn’t have a soul anymore and he didn’t want one anyways. Gwen had ensnared him since he saw her in the library the first time they met. She was perfect and he could not stop the yearning inside of him that was reserved just for her. Kody ignored his cellmate, laid his head down, and went to sleep, the drugs needed to get out of his system, he wasn’t going to take anything more. He needed to be himself by Tuesday and that wasn’t going to happen if he kept taking the mind altering drugs the bitch doctors gave him. Gwen fell in love with him long ago without the medicine she would do it again she just had to.

  Kody was able to be awake and remember everything on Monday, but he just couldn’t function normally. He had gone cold turkey off of the pain medications; the throbbing started with a bang. He ignored several meals and stayed in his bed while the others were having their recreational time. He needed the alone time. The only person that dared disturb his fog was surrounding him was that Zelis guy; Z is what everyone called him. Kody almost growled when Z talked about seeing Gwen and how he almost got a hold of her. He was eager for Tuesday to come. Kody closed his eyes and waited, he planned his words carefully he imagined her response to him. He began to count the hours till his measly one-hour with Gwen.

  Tuesday had arrived, finally. He had spent every hour thinking of her. He wondered how she would be wearing her hair, and what she would be wearing. The last time he saw her she was delectable. She had on a powder blue button up shirt, a black pencil skirt, and her heels were definitely designer and high. They made her legs look more luscious than they already were. He didn’t even care that the pig Torrian Ford was touching him. He walked contently, like he was gliding on clouds towards her office. He didn’t hear the normal quips from Ford nor his snarky tone. This day would be his to reclaim what always was and always will be his.

  Gwen was dressed in her Tuesday normal slacks, a button down shirt, and peep toe wedges. She kept it simple with her hair it was down and wavy. She was playing with her hair absentmindedly when the knock sounded at her door.

  “Come in.” She answered, she already knew who it would be; Torrian was scheduled to bring Kody to her for their session.

  Kody entered the office as usual. Torrian lingered his eyes connecting with Gwen’s for a split second, he was wary. Torrian didn’t want to let Kody out of the handcuffs. She gave Torrian an encouraging nod, she was going to stay at her desk this time, she couldn’t expect truthful answers if Kody was bound. With a roll of his eyes Torrian took the shackles off of Kody’s wrist and sat him down, the two exchanged venomous stares before Torrian walked out and stood at the door. Gwen could tell he wanted to put his ear to the door to listen for any signs she needed help. He was truly a good man.

  “I missed you.” Kody began.

  “Kody please do not go down that road.” Gwen warned him, her hand flexed over the panic button.

  “Tell me what you did with Russel.” His voice was demanding, almost pleading even.

  “Kody even if I wanted to I couldn’t, what is said to me is protected under doctor and patient confidentiality.”

  “Because you fucked him didn’t you.”

  “That is beyond reproach you owe me an apology.” She was getting angry with him.

  “Just tell me what you did.” Kody said once again.

  “We had a therapy session, that is it Kody now please this is about you not him.” She chastised Kody again.

  “How many of us have you fucked?”

  Gwen couldn’t take it anymore she rose from her desk in a fluid movement was beside Kody bringing her hand across his face before she knew she even stood. Torrian’s temper had been rubbing off on her after all. Gwen straightened herself and stood there silent. She just slapped a patient, hard. Kody’s face was turning red from where she hit him; his eyes were hot on her. She could feel the gaze linger on her frame. She took a cautionary step backwards towards her desk, towards the button that promised her safety.

  “You know I’ve missed your touch.” Kody said flatly.

  Without another word Kody launched himself off the couch in an unworldly fast movement and his hands were around Gwen’s waist before she could jump for the button. He was crushing her form against his. His thickness was pressing against her hip as she struggled against him. She sucked in a breath to scream and as if he read her thoughts he covered her mouth. She tried to make noise but he was too much. He was all over her; his hands were keeping her against him. She tried to claw at him but that only seemed to push him further. His mouth was uncontrollably hot against hers.

  She kneed him in his groin; his arms fell from around her and gripped his balls. She took this moment and scrambled for her desk, he caught up to her quickly and pressed her into the desk.

  “You never fucking do that again.” He slapped Gwen hard then covered her mouth with the same time.

  She could feel her nails scoring the skin of his face. He was relentless. One hand reached free from her flailing body and ripped open her shirt, the buttons scattered in every direction. Kody paused to admire her. His greedy gaze kept rolling over her toned body. Her hand reached for anything heavy on her desk. Kody pressed down on Gwen’s chest and captured her hand again. His mouth crushed her mouth again; she bit his tongue as hard as she could when it entered her mouth against her will.

  “A challenge.” His breath was coming in pants and his hips trapped hers.

  More panic was flooding Gwen’s system. His mouth left her face and traveled to her neck, he was biting her roughly and she was fighting every touch he tried. Gwen’s muscles were starting to tire from fighting him off. Kody was thrusting his hips towards her own; he was starting to move against her. Their clothes were the only things separating Gwen from destruction. She tried to squirm away but he only pressed harder. She could see the desperation in his eyes, which made her even more scared for what was coming. Kody’s mouth went back to her neck and bit her so hard she felt his teeth in her flesh.

  She cried out as loud as she could, her scream was muffled against his hand. The silence was imploding around her. Gwen struggled against him, his hand pulled at the white lace of her bra revealing her breasts. She tried to plead with him and shake her head at him. He didn’t listen he bowed his head in reverence and his mouth attached to her breast, latching onto it hard, she tried to pull back but his teeth bit down on her nipple and pure pain went into her body, her hand came free from his and she knocked something heavy onto the ground. The tears were in her eyes but Kody didn’t notice his hands were going between her thighs.

  When Gwen thought all was lost and her fate with Kody was sealed and he was going to take what he wanted she felt another pain course through her. Kody’s mouth was still on her nipple when he was suddenly pulled from her. Torrian’s voice was a loud snarl echoing in the room, he had come in so fast and taken over everything. He threw Kody against one wall and quickly followed it up with his fist to Kody’s jaw. Kody spun out; Torrian picked him back up and landed
another to the convict’s stomach. He shoved Kody back against the wall and pressed his forearm into Kody’s throat. He was crushing Kody’s larynx with the pressure in his arm. Kody was a large man, and Torrian in his angered state was positively hulking.

  “CALL THE WARDEN.” Torrian commanded.

  No one answered him, Gwen was trying to cover herself but her bra and shirt were in tatters around her. Torrian spun Kody around and planted his face into the wall, pushing Kody as hard as he could. Alison had come to the door when Torrian busted through, he barked his order at her she ran off, Torrian was unsure if she was scared of Kody or scared of what he would do to Kody when he walked in on what was going on. He was going to rape Gwen, Torrian wanted to rip his throat out.

  Alison and Scott came running in, he surveyed the scene and he came to Torrian’s side. Torrian was still shoving Kody’s head into the wall wanting to crush his skull. His entire body was shaking in the rage. Scott put his hand on Torrian’s arm.

  “Ford, don’t kill him.” The warden’s voice was one of reason.

  “He. Tried. To. Rape. Her.” Torrian’s words were in a stiff staccato.

  “Take him to his cell then come back to my office.”

  “Yes warden.” Torrian pulled Kody from the wall and started to push him towards the door, when he reached the door frame Kody’s body was accidentally thrust into it, he stumbled backwards and Torrian continued to push him forward.

  Torrian hurried out of the building and to the cellblock with Kody in hand. He was half way to Kody’s cell when he crossed another officer.

  “Justin I need you to take this piece of shit. I need to go check on Gwen.” He thrust Kody by his arms to the Justin Broderick, one of the men he trusted the most.

  “What happened boss?” Justin addressed his superior officer.

  “He tried to rape her.” Torrian was growling.

  “Yes sir, is she okay?” Justin jumped to attention taking the convict arm.

  “Don’t know walked in on that shit. I just need him away from me before I fucking put a bullet in his head.” Torrian’s threat was valid, his fingers flexed over the holster on his side.

  Justin nodded and took the prisoner from Torrian. Kody was dazed from the force of the impacts from Torrian’s body. Torrian watched Justin drag Kody away for a moment but Torrian turned quickly and went back to check on Gwen, he knew he needed to be with her. He had smelled blood when he entered the room. Torrian took off at a sprint to get back to Gwen’s office.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Torrian had just come back when Gwen finally began to talk. She froze mid sentence when she took him in. His chest was pumping like a marathon runner’s and she instantly thought he had killed Kody. It might be less paperwork if he did. She tried to shove the thought away from her. The necklace Gwen normally wore was broken and laying in her hand. The fibers frayed beyond repair, she had owned the necklace since her senior year of high school. She wore it daily and now it was gone. She looked down. Torrian must have seen her crestfallen face and he came to her side, he took her hand, kissed it, and then intertwined their fingers. He didn’t care about being public with their relationship; she could see the envy in Alison’s eyes. Alison had tried many unsuccessful times to have Torrian take her home but it never worked. She visibly bristled when Gwen and Torrian made contact.

  The warden spoke softly. “Gwen you have to tell us what happened so we can put it into his file.”

  She nodded and his eyes regarded her. Torrian took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders, even more protective dominance from him. He was rolling with tension. Needless to say he had already seen her swollen bloody lip, her bruised cheek, the bruises that trailed down to her chest, her disheveled broken bra and where the blood was coming from. She was a mess. Gwen couldn’t tell where the pain was coming from because it was screaming all over her. She gulped hard to speak but lost her voice quickly, she didn’t want to say everything while Torrian was in the room.

  “Gwen we need to know.”

  “I know. It’s just hurting to talk.” He had choked her, she felt the bruises on her neck, and it was a plausible excuse.

  “Then it can be written. You are taken off rotation for the rest of the week.” Gwen’s eyes bulged at the warden’s words.

  “Scott no, I don’t need that time off.” She protested.

  “No fighting Gwen, you are taking the time off. I want you to see a counselor; it’s obvious what happened you need the time. Don’t worry no one will take over your spot.”

  “No I don’t want it.”

  “Too late Gwen, this did happen we have to take the proper course of action.” He took out a handkerchief and dobbed his forehead.

  “She’ll take it, I’m going to take vacation or sick whatever works for you warden.” Torrian interrupted.

  “Figured you would, guess you two are public now?”

  “Yeah guess we are.” Torrian held Gwen’s hand tighter.

  “About damn time you two admitted it. I was about to start a pool on when you would come clean.” The warden smiled to show he wasn’t angered with the situation.

  “I still don’t want the time.”

  “You’re taking it.” The two men said in unison then looked at each other.

  Gwen put up her hands and winced, her arms hurt like she had pushed a boulder up a mountainside. Kody was still stronger than he looked. The prison life apparently agreed with him. He seemed to thrive. She hitched the coat closer to herself. She was about to bring up a point when Alison came back into the room and handed a large stack of paperwork to the warden.

  “Now you will be on paid leave for the week, I need the reports very detailed and I will investigate if it was premeditated or not. Kody will pay for this Gwen.” He was trying to reassure her, he touched her knee and she jerked back. She didn’t want to be touched by anyone just yet.

  “Sorry.” She murmured while Torrian stroked her back softly.

  “It’s okay you are undoubtedly shaken, I should not have tried to comfort you.”

  “Thank you warden.”

  There was yet another knock at the door. “Come in” The warden said, the medical center nurse came into the room and he was all business, Torrian stiffened he didn’t like another man being hear her any more than she did.

  The nurse set down his supply bag and gave the other two men a “get out now” look. Torrian stayed steadfast beside Gwen and she was grateful, she didn’t think she could be alone with anyone else right this moment. The warden took the cue, drew the blinds shut, and then went into the hall. Alison was already waiting to hear the gossip. Gwen groaned loudly, men jumped, Torrian was worried but the nurse spoke first.

  “What’s hurting doc?”

  “My throat, my face, my chest, my thighs.” Gwen shut up after she said thighs; Torrian had become a ball of pure murderous energy.

  “That all?” The nurse asked.

  “Torrian, maybe it would be better if you waited out front.”

  “No.” He growled and stayed exactly where he was, he would not leave the room no matter how angry the examination made him.

  “I can clean you up but you probably should go to the hospital for more documentation and if there was any penetration you need to get a rape kit done and tested for diseases.” The nurse was clinical and not sparing any feelings, he hadn’t needed any social skills while working at McNeil, why would he start now just because this patient is a coworker?

  “I will see a doctor, I don’t think the warden will let me come back without a medical release being signed.” She tried to distract from the previous question.

  “Ah yes well either way… this is going to sting.” He pressed an alcohol-covered swab to her lip, she hissed at the added pain.

  The nurse finished cleaning her wounds then checked to see if Gwen needed any stitches. Four stitches were needed on her bosom to close the damage to her nipple. Torrian was still tense when the nurse left the room.

  “I wa
nt to kill that fucker. I can’t stand that he hurt you.” He was obviously meaning Kody’s advance, Gwen looked down.

  “I should have protected myself better or listened to you and not seen him.”

  “I won’t say I told you so, but damn baby I can’t handle you getting hurt again. Let’s take you to the hospital then home. I’m staying with you baby.”

  “I don’t know if I can make it through another exam.” She whimpered as she got off the desk she was forced to sit on for the exam.

  “I’ll get your stuff, you zip up the coat, and you have to see the doctor. Warden already called the hospital.”

  “Damn it.” She groaned, Torrian reached to catch her in case she fell.

  “Hey we’re all worried about you, and you need to get some shots, never know if that fucker has rabies or some shit. He’s a psycho.”

  “Yeah I know it.” She laughed softly.

  “Come on babe.” He kissed her head and held her hand even tighter as they walked out of the office towards the elevator.

  Gwen was hand in hand with Torrian while they walked. The onlookers in the office gasped and kept watching. She could hear the office gossip already forming in their minds and acid filed ones from Alison. When the couple reached the ferry he simply held her without a word. She needed to be held and took comfort in his arms. When they reached the main land Gwen got into her car and Torrian followed close behind in mustang. They dropped her car off at her townhouse and he took her to the general hospital. There was already a room and doctor waiting to examine her, they humiliated her more by taking pictures of the injuries.