Stay True

by C B Jean

  “Don’t promise anything you can’t control.” I barely heard her say it, still holding her close. Why did that make me more worried than before?

  We continued to dance for a bit, enjoying each other’s silent company. Her in my arms… it was fucking amazing. But that nasty feeling in my stomach wouldn’t go away. Why did this feel like the last time? I felt her stiffen in my arms and we stopped dancing. I released her a bit, looking at her face. Her blue eyes were wide with fear. Immense fear. Confused, I studied her then heard a slithery voice behind me.

  “It’s time Doll.” I felt a jolt of pain as something hit me in the back, spreading over my entire body in a paralyzing heat. I collapsed to the ground with a roar. Now I was pissed the fuck off. Remi looked down at me not moving, her wide eyes not leaving mine and she stood there holding her stomach in terror. That fucker.

  Chapter 24

  JACKSON

  I hear Luke roar and I have a feeling I know why.

  Fuck. I raced back to where we left Remi and Luke, pushing through the crowd in an attempt to reach her in time. Killian hot on my heels. What I see inside makes my heart stop and the air in my lungs gets sucks in, I can’t release it back out. Remi is being held with a knife to her throat by the mysterious wolf shifter we saw a few days ago. Her eyes are wide with terror and he has her arms pinned behind her back painfully that she cries out. He looks at us with pure enjoyment, cocky as hell. Luke is sprawled out on the ground groaning in pain and breathing heavy. I take a step forward.

  “Ah ah uh.” He tisks. “Don’t move or I’ll slit her pretty little neck. If she dies in the game she won’t be able to start over, instead she’s rigged to end up in the coma stasis or PVS as they have been calling it. One wrong move from you dogs and she’ll end up as a vegetable until Aiden decides to wake her up. We don’t want that now do we?” He smiles sinfully and I cringe curling my hands into fists. She whimpered and brought my attention back to her.

  We promised her she was safe. We promised he wouldn’t get her. We failed. I forced myself to relax my muscles and my brothers follow suit.

  “Good dogs. Now since the whole family is here you have a decision Doll. Don’t think about going behind my back. Aiden kidnapped your body and you’re on your way to him right as we speak, so don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Isn’t that right solider?” He sniffs her neck and moans while looking at me. Luke growls at the man, coming out of the attack. I know it’s taking every bit of his reserve not to charge him, but he wouldn’t dare take the chance with Remi at his mercy. I hang my head and nod to confirm it. I catch her gaze as she looks at me, tears in those beautiful blue eyes. I look at her with every bit of power I have, silently telling her not to be dumb and save herself. I know she won’t though, she will choose what will save us. Save the players stuck here. She has such a good heart. Her eyes close in defeat and her head hangs before he even tells her the choices. She may already know them. She already knew… and didn’t tell us.

  “Option number one. Give yourself up willingly to Aiden. He in turn will release all the players here and the ones in comas in the real world. Even your loyal soldiers will get to go home. Option number two. Refuse his gracious offer and every minute you decline it, one random player will be sentenced to the PVS state, never to be awakened. You have one minute to decide starting now.” He says nonchalant and releases her. She gasps and falls into my arms looking at me with such dread my heart snaps in two. I just got her, I can’t lose her now.

  Chapter 25

  REMI

  I almost manage to faceplant into the ground when that jerk pushes me. Luckily Jackson catches me and holds me close as I look up at him. I can see it in his eyes. Desperation, fear, sadness. He already knows what my choice is.

  “Don’t do this, please don’t do this. Why didn’t you tell us?!” He pleads with me.

  “I have to Jackson, you know I have to. He threatened my dad… I’m so sorry. I’ll be alright. I promise. I have to save everyone.” I manage the bravest smile I can and hold his cheek. I know he can tell I’m lying through my teeth. He sighs in defeat and hugs me close. He whispers quietly in my ear.

  “Tell the fucker to get bent, fight back any way you can. Don’t let him break you. We will get you back Baby, no matter the cost we will fucking get you back.” He grits his teeth then pulls me in for the most heart wrenching kiss I’ve ever had. It may as well be my very last one with the man I love. Yep that’s right. I love these guys.

  He ends it leaving me gasping and Killian and Luke join us.

  “Thirty seconds left Doll.” The shifter licks his lips as he looks at me. I snarl back and his face is a mix of interest and arousal. Ugh.

  “Please be smart, any chance you get take it and we will be there faster before you can say ‘Baby Blue.’” Killian murmurs into my ear as he holds me close. I nod and just breathe in his scent committing it to memory. I give him a soft kiss, tears running down my checks.

  Luke all but encases me in his arms trying to protect me from everything, as if that will do any good. I start sobbing quietly. I don’t want to lose my guys. Luke doesn’t need to say anything. His presence says it all. We touch foreheads as we usually do when we have a moment.

  “You don’t have to do this Cub….”

  “Ten, nine, eight...” He starts counting down. I give Luke a deep kiss and break it off at two seconds on the countdown.

  “Stop! I’ll… I’ll go willingly… if Aiden is true to his word and lets everyone go.” I manage to croak out, ceasing the countdown. I hear the crowd behind me, loud murmurs. The shifter grins, reminding me of the Cheshire cat and I flinch away. He dives for me and has my arms encased behind my back once again before we can move, I whimper in pain biting my lip to keep quiet. My guys growl and curl their fists ready to pounce.

  “Yes yes, Aiden is true to his word. You of all people should know this Doll.” He answers as if bored. He licks my cheek and I turn away disgusted. He just licks his lips seductively and laughs wickedly. Sorry dude, it isn’t ever going to work on me.

  Right on cue the shifter presses a button on his game bracelet. A few moments later the guys get a ping, a notification from their menus. All the players get the same notification, the room echoing with the sounds of them. I can see what the message on Jacksons bracelet says. The creators have fixed the log out issue and are doing a mandatory log out within the next minute, until they can deem it safe again to continue playing. The guys look awed and a bit pissed as they look at the shifter. He shrugs and Luke takes a menacing step forward. Killian is only able to stop him from taking another once he places a hand on his chest. By now the tears are running freely down my face and I’m one big snotty mess. I ruined my makeup, flip it. I can’t even wipe the tears away because the asshole next to me is holding my arms painfully behind my back. It’s not like I can run away anywhere. Not the best way to go out or to be the last thing I’m remembered for as a snotty mess, but hey I’m not perfect.

  I look to all three of the guys I’ve spent these last few days with here. Their eyes are glued to me with enough anger and worry that I huff from the intensity.

  I manage a half of a smile and whisper, “Goodbye… I love you.” Their faces turn to anguish, someone roars and the world starts fading out slowly as it gets darker and finally turns to black. Within seconds I no longer feel the shifter man holding me back, no longer feel the chill in the air. All I feel is despair, heartbreak and terror. Yes, I’m scared shitless of what is about to happen, but I will never let myself be broken again. I can promise the ones I love that much. I feel safe floating in the nothingness. Content almost, this isn’t too bad. I feel as if I’m here for hours, just being, existing.

  Suddenly I see a bright light and I try to shun away from it wishing I could go back to the oblivion. I feel something covering my head, and I have barely enough strength to rip it off and throw whatever it was away from me. I hear it clang against a wall. All my senses come rushing back to me all at on
ce and I feel myself getting sick. I’m laying on a cold metal floor when lean to the side and vomit all over the ground. I keep dry heaving and spewing until nothing else is coming out. Gross. I haven’t eaten in days and I’m puking up what looks like… well you don’t want to know. Once I finish, I wipe my mouth with the back my hand I roll over away from it with a pained groan gasping, body shaking and weak. I try to sit up, but I can’t hold myself up and I flop back down to the floor with a thud. I can’t open my eyes as it feels like they are glued shut. So tired. So cold.

  “Looks like little Princessita is finally awake. Those drugs finally kicking in eh?” Someone barks out in a heavy accent followed by a laugh nearby. Drugs? Where the flip am I?

  “Yea we are keeping her sedated till we arrive and deliver the package. Boss has been driving us nuts these last few months looking for her. Looks like she couldn’t run away far enough. She’s been whoring around with some army dogs and he’s got a special surprise for her.” The way the second voice says that makes me think it’s not a good surprise.

  “Water.” I croak out. Grasping the bars of my cage. Bars? Cage?!

  “Aaha! Looks like she wants some water, better give her some amigo.” The accented voice says.

  Before I know what’s happening, freezing water is being dumped on me in a steady and heavy stream. The pressure is pressing me to the floor, and I can’t breathe through it choking on the water. It ends just as fast as it started, and I start gasping greedy lungsful of air in trying to clear my lungs and coughing up water. Their laugher and taunts fill the air and I scowl. I try opening my eyes and sit up a bit looking around, all I see are shadows and darkness. There’s a faint light nearby but my head is swimming and I can’t tell where it’s coming from.

  I hear another set of footsteps approaching, but I’m too weak to see who the newcomer is. I recognize the voice when he speaks but I can’t pinpoint it.

  “Antonio are you fucking kidding me?! If you fucking kill her the boss will cute your fingers off one by one, blend them, then shove them down your throat!” He roars. “This girl is the one that got him locked up in the first place, so I think you can imagine what he has planned for her. Don’t fucking kill her. Get her a damn towel, clothes and some warm food assholes before she freezes to death. Now!” I hear the scurrying of footsteps disappearing and groan when my body reminds me how much it hurts everywhere. What the flip happened to me? Where is Luke? My guys?

  The mysterious man steps closer to my cage and leans down to look at me better. He reaches his hand out as if he was trying to touch me, then drops it after a moment’s hesitation. I try to keep my eyes focused on him and I manage to recognize him in the dusky light. The wolf shifter. My scowl returns as I try to scoot back further into my cage. I only move a couple of feet before my back hits the other side of the cage and I whine distressed.

  “Easy Doll, I’m sorry about those two assholes, they won’t be causing any more issues while you’re here with us.” He raises his hands up in a non-threating gesture, but after everything he’s done to me? I flinch. I don’t believe him. I try to snarl at him or reply with a snide remark, but my voice won’t work, and I end up moaning in pain again. “Those two went overboard on the drugs and got you sick and I apologize for that. I’ll get you some new dry clothes soon once you eat and we will change your... living quarters. If you behave. Don’t worry Doll. You’re safe with us now.” His eyes scream mischievously.

  Why is he being so nice to me now? I don’t understand, everything is so confusing. I look down at myself. I’m glad I’m still wearing that large tee I wore to bed a few days ago and I don’t appear to be hurt. The thing that

  freaks me the most out is the blood spatter covering me. I feel my head getting heavy and my eyelids drooping. My head falls to the cold, wet floor hard, but no pain registers.

  I hear the shifter man swear and yells urgently for someone, but all I care about is the deep sleep I’m going to be enjoying in a few seconds. I think of my men as I drift off, wishing they were here.

  Luke… Killian… Jackson… I’m here. Come find me….

  Epilogue

  KILLIAN

  I wake with a start, gasping for air. Remi! A male nurse overlooking me checking on my fluids jumps in surprise with a yelp. I rip my headset off my head and throw it to the ground with a roar. I swing my legs over my couch and reach for my phone feeling nauseous. Unsteady and dizzy I miss it the first time but manage to grab it my next attempt.

  Fuck fuck fuck Remi!

  “Sir! You need to lay down until you get out of stasis! You’ve been out of it for a few days!” The nurse grabs my arm trying to coax me to lay down. I growl at him baring my teeth and he lets go with a fright of fear.

  “Back. Off.” I say through clenched teeth. He nods, his face pale. I dial the number, it took me a couple tries. My fingers feel heavy and fat and I have to keep refocusing my vision.

  For Remi.

  I get it dialed and plop back down on the sofa when it starts ringing. The nurse is being a busy body and is heckling me until I shoo him away. It’s taking too damn for him to answer. Finally, he does and replies. “Hello Killian, what can I do for you?”

  “We have a problem.”

  THE END

  Acknowledgement

  Thank you for reading the beginning to Remi and her mens journey! This is my first book ever to be publishing and i could not be more excited! This will be the first in the Gaming Girl Series and i can't wait to get started on the second one yet! Please leave a review, as anyone showcasing their work needs feedback. It will only help me with my future books to know what readers like!

  I wouldn't have been able to do this without the amazing women in my life who push me to reach my goals. I also want to thank my friends, as they have been super supportive with their feedback and so excited to hear all the crazy ideas i have for my next few books.

  Yes Kaylie, i mean you.

  Thank you to the readers who read this book, this wouldn't be possible at all without you. You are the reason i am writing, so i can share my work with others and hope they enjoy it as well.

  Please review and follow to stay updated on any more of my future releases!

  Thank you

  About The Author

  C.B. Jean

  C.B enjoys writing as much as she does reading. She enjoys spending time with her family and her many siblings. As she wrote many shortstories as a child, her creativity is unlimited. Of course, her other passion is video games which is represented in this book and is excited this is her first book to publish and hopes to create many more wonderful stories for those to fall in love with. She lives in Utah with her family and is furthering her degree.

  Follow her Facebook page to stay updated on her future releases https://www.facebook.com/c.b.jeanThePack/

  Email her at c.b.jeanwriting@gmail.com