The Gift: The Butterfly Effect, Book 1.

by Margaret McHeyzer

  I crumple against the door, sliding down until my butt hits the floor. I want to go home and hug my parents. I want to get out of here. My hot tears are falling fast, as my body shivers from my hurting heart.

  “I want to go home, Jude!” I yell as I grasp my head and cry even more. “Let me go home.” The tears won’t stop. I can’t control them, they keep falling.

  Sobbing wildly, I stand from the floor and head into the bathroom. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I gasp at how terrible I look. My skin is blotchy, my eyes are red and the mascara is lining my spotted skin.

  “This is bullshit,” I say as I wipe my face and try to regain a grip on myself. The huge lump sitting at the base of my throat eases as my crying stops. Staring into the mirror, I blink away the tears and take several deep breaths. “You can do this.”

  I slide the dress off my body and take the stupid, ugly gloves off. Walking out to my room, I look around at what’s in here. I rock the bedside table, and notice, with a bit of effort, I can move it. Dragging it over to where the camera is; I grab one of the gloves, and stand on top of the table. As I reach up on my tiptoes, I manage to slide the glove over the camera. Jumping off, I push the table back over to beside the bed.

  The white chest of drawers beside the window has nothing in it considering all the clothes are in the walk-in wardrobe. I push it in front of the door. If he’s going to keep me here, I refuse to let him, or any other bastard waltz in here whenever they want.

  This is my space, and I control who comes in, not that sick bastard who thinks he can do what he wants with me. This is my domain, and not his.

  Flopping on the bed proudly, the onset of sadness takes over again. This is so hard. I’m only seventeen, what am I supposed to do? I can’t live here forever, I’ll go crazy.

  The tears take over again, and I break down, hugging the second pillow on the bed. I want my Dad to give me a kiss on the cheek and to tell me everything’s going to be okay. When I used to get sick, Dad would stay with me all night to make sure I didn’t get worse. He’d tie my hair back, and apply a wet washcloth to my forehead. He’s always been my Superman, the best man in the entire world.

  I miss Dad so much. All I want to do is hug him, and hug Mom. Mom may have worked a lot, but I know she loves me more than her life. I know that me ‘missing’ would be tearing them apart.

  Crying into the pillow, my sobs finally ease, and my mind begins to settle and accept my life as it is.

  Perhaps, it’s my curse.

  Opening my eyes to the sun streaming into the room, I feel like a train has hit me. My body is sore and my eyes feel puffy.

  Letting out a deep breath, I cuddle into the pillow further. Looking out the window, I try to find the strength to drag myself out of bed. I want to stay in here forever, but my bladder isn’t happy with me refusing to get up.

  Sitting up in bed, I sigh again.

  “Good morning,” Jude says from behind me.

  I yelp in fright. Turning to face him, I quickly look at the overturned chest of drawers. How did I not hear that? “What are you doing here?” I snap at him. “Don’t you get it, Jude, I wanted privacy. And this proves how you’re incapable of giving it to me.” I point to the overturned drawers while walking past him to the bathroom. “By the way, I’m going to the toilet, do you want to watch that too?” Slamming the door shut gives me a small amount of satisfaction.

  Taking my time in the bathroom, I’m hoping he’ll be gone, but knowing how cocky and smug he is guarantees he’ll still be in my bedroom.

  Opening the door, I strut out and find him sitting on the bed. “What do you want?” I bark toward him.

  “I’m here because we’re having breakfast together.”

  “Why?” I walk past him into the wardrobe and look at the array of clothes. Choosing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, I head back into the bedroom. Throwing my clothes on the bed, next to Jude, I stand and stare at him. “You gonna watch as I get dressed?”

  He smirks at me, crosses his legs, and nods his head. Arrogant ass.

  “Fine.” I put a show on for him. I slept in my bra and undies last night, so it’s not like he can’t see my body, but I flirt it right up. He wants to be a bastard, then I’ll teach him.

  Heading into the closet, I grab the sexiest bra and cutest pair of undies I can find. A black number with loads of lace, but I still make sure they cover everything.

  Leaving the closest, I stand in front of Jude and smile. “Well, this should be fun,” he says in his overconfident but sexy voice.

  “It will be,” I reply, equally as assured and smug. Keeping my eyes on his, I reach back and flick open the bra clasps. The sides fling out and I let my hands drop to my side. Jude’s eyes go directly to my breasts. He fidgets slightly, and I smile. The bra straps fall down my arms, and Jude straightens his back, ready to see me exposed. “Do you like what you see?”

  He doesn’t need to respond; his reaction is enough for me to know the answer.

  “Um,” he clears his throat. “It’s adequate,” he arrogantly mutters. But the crack in his voice screams what he’s really thinking. He’s turned on. And this gives me the power—even if it’s only for a minute, I’m in command.

  Lifting my hand, I slowly help the strap further down my arm. The top of my breast is nearly exposed, though my nipple is still hidden.

  Jude swallows and the pompous grin on his face, drops.

  I push the strap down further, Jude sits up straighter and moves forward. As I push the strap down, the cup begins to peel back, revealing my breast. Jude sits more forward. Before he has a chance to look at my boob, I cover it with my hand.

  “Oh God,” he whispers, his eyes devouring me.

  With my free hand, I grab the bra, and swing it from my little finger. “You sure I’m only ‘adequate’?” I ask putting on a cutesy voice.

  “You’re really quite . . .” He doesn’t say anything else. The muscles in his legs jump.

  Turning so my back is to him, in quick as lightning speed, I slip off the bra I slept in, and change to the clean one. I hear Jude grumble, and him shifting on the bed. I turn to look at him from over my shoulder and do the whole blink like I’m flirting thing. “Oh, you’re still here,” I say, catching him staring at my butt.

  “I am . . .” He extends his neck and adjusts his shirt collar. “I’m waiting for you to get ready so I can take you to breakfast.”

  “And where exactly are we going?”

  He’s still staring at my butt.

  He doesn’t say anything.

  “I must be talking to myself,” I say as I turn and stand in front of him in my bra and undies.

  He swallows hard, again. His eyes are consuming every inch of exposed skin. The tension in the room changes again, and it’s obvious how my presence is affecting him. “Um . . .” He abruptly stands and turns so I can’t see his face, and other parts. “Be ready in two minutes and meet me at the bottom of the stairs.” Two minutes, really is that all it’s going to take? His steps are long and rapid. He’s trying to get out of here as quickly as possible but he stops by the door. Without turning his head to look at me, he says with his deep drawl, “And by the way, Lexi, I am not gay.”

  The door slams shut and I’m left perplexed by his response.

  It takes me a full minute to realize what he means by it. When I saw the evening gown, I said he must be gay because gay men have good fashion sense. Obviously, he heard me. Confirms exactly what I think of him, he’s a pervert who listens and watches me.

  Chuckling, I take the rest of the clothes into the bathroom and get changed there.

  “You look beautiful,” he says as I make my way down the stairs.

  “Thank you,” I reply as kindly as I can. He’s trying not to be the kidnapper, the threat he really is. I suppose I should be thankful he’s not hurting me. Or worse, forcing me into being a sex slave. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Out for breakfast.”

  “So you’ve sa
id,” I sarcastically respond. “A name would be good.”

  Jude looks at me, frustration flashing across his face. “Does it matter, Lexi? Does the name of where I’m taking you actually make a difference?”

  I shrug and look down at my feet. “S’pose not.”

  “Then just enjoy it.” He steps toward the front door, and the guy dressed in all black, stands to the side as he opens the door for us. The black limousine is waiting for us.

  Taking a moment, I inhale a deep breath, closing my eyes and tilting my head up toward the sky. “It smells like rain,” I whisper. “I love the smell of rain on freshly cut grass. It’s exactly what I can smell.” The scent is intoxicating. It reminds me of summer rains and Dad mowing the lawn while Mom and I sit on the back deck watching him. It reminds me of cold watermelon, and homemade lemonade. It reminds me of home.

  A place I’ll never go to again.

  The sadness clouds every beautiful memory. My body reacts with instant stiffness in my neck and tears welling in my eyes.

  “Lexi, are you okay?’ he asks, stepping closer to me.

  “In all the things you bought me, did you buy me sunglasses?” I keep my head down, because I don’t want him to see that he has the power to make me this sad.

  “I didn’t.”

  “Buy me some today,” I say assertively. I quickly wipe at my eyes, straighten my back, and hold my chin up.

  He will not break me.

  “Of course,” he replies. His voice is filled with worry.

  “I wasn’t asking.” Screw him. I need my parents, I don’t need him.

  The driver chuckles and Jude snaps his head to the side to glare at him. Jude’s jaw clenches shut, his square jawline grinds together. “Get in the car, Lexi.” I slide in and he slams the door shut so hard, it makes the car shake.

  The sadness I was holding is now replaced by fear. He walks around to the driver, grabs him by the scruff of the neck and slams his head down on the car, making the car vibrate all over again.

  “Shit!” I squeak with horror and clap my hand to my mouth. My widened eyes can’t look away at what’s happening. Jude lifts the guy by knotting his fist into his hair; he slams the guy’s face down on the car again and again and again.

  “Jude!” I yell. He stops slamming the guy’s head, and looks through the window at me.

  My entire body is quivering with dread and horror. Jude’s features soften when he sees my petrified reaction. Straightening, the guy slides down the car, just like in the movies, and Jude steps back from him. He adjusts his tailored jacket and rolls his shoulders, all while keeping his eyes on me. Turning his head, he spits on the ground. His breathing is labored. Jude looks to the door, breaking eye contact with me for a split second as he gives directions to whoever he’s talking with.

  He comes to the back of the car, opens the door and slides in. “My apologies you had to see that,” he says casually.

  I scoot over as far away from him and close to the opposite door as possible. I’m so close, I’m almost hugging it.

  “You hurt him,” I manage to whisper shocked and fearfully.

  “Yes,” he responds with authority.

  “Because of me. It wasn’t his fault, Jude, it was mine. You shouldn’t have . . .” I don’t say anymore except point toward the front of the car.

  “It has nothing to do with you.” He wipes his hands down the front of his designer pants and leans over to the bottle of amber liquid, pouring himself a drink.

  With shaking hands, I snatch it and throw it down my throat, not waiting for him to offer or say anything. When I finish, I hand him the glass. “It’s because I was being a smart ass toward you that he laughed.”

  “He had it coming.”

  He pours another drink and offers it to me, but the burn in my throat from the first drink is a memento that drinking and I don’t mix. I shake my head and look out the window. I hear the drivers’ door slam shut and I look forward, noticing the driver isn’t the guy with the bashed-in face. “What um . . . is the guy . . .” I swallow back the tears and try to keep it together. “Is he going to be okay?”

  I can barely keep my eyes on Jude, he’s shown me a side of him that’s making my skin crawl with fear. He shrugs and knocks the drink back in one movement. “Whatever happens to him is on him, not you.”

  I’m fighting all these emotions building inside me. I miss my parents, I want to leave and now I got a guy’s head bashed in because I’ve been fighting Jude and being smart to him.

  “This isn’t right, Jude, none of this is normal.” I burst into tears, crying into my hands. “It’s too much for me to handle.”

  “Hey,” he says putting his arm around me, dragging me toward him, but making sure he’s not touching my bare skin.

  “Please, don’t,” I beg. “My head’s a mess. All of this is a one huge pile of shit.”

  “You know where to go,” Jude says to the driver. He raises the privacy screen while my crying continues. He hugs me closer, and as much as I hate the fact he’s the one to console me, I’m also drawing on his warmth. Warmth of a monster.

  “Jude, I’m trying my best to not screw everything up for my parents and Dallas. But you can’t do things like that and not expect me to react.” I point backward toward the house. “It puts a lot of responsibility on me. I’m only just seventeen and I’m wrestling with this thing I have no idea how to control. Please, I can’t do this.” I cry into his chest. He hugs me tighter, and strokes my hair down my back.

  “You can.” He kisses my head.

  “I hate you so much.”

  “I want to believe you, but I don’t.” He kisses me again.

  My tears won’t stop, and I wish he’d let me go. But at this point, I know he’ll never let me leave. The only way I’ll be able to go anywhere, is in a body bag.

  Crying into his chest, I close my eyes tightly and wish I never got this stupid gift, the bane of my existence.

  I’m not sure how long we’re in the car, but when it finally stops I pull away from Jude and look out the window. We’ve stopped on the side of the busiest street in the city. The driver gets out and comes to open my door. “Ma’am,” he says holding his hand out for me.

  “Don’t touch her,” Jude barks from beside me.

  Quietly grumbling, I’m getting sick of the way Jude talks to his people. But I pull it back the moment I realize the driver notices my reaction. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else getting hurt.

  I wait on the footpath for Jude. He comes to stand beside me, sliding gloves on his hands. He reaches down and grabs my hand in his. “This way,” he says as we enter the lobby of a prestigious hotel.

  There’s a doorman waiting for us, dressed in a top hat and light gray suit. “Sir, Ma’am,” he says as we enter. I give him a warm smile, then cast down my eyes, knowing they’re puffy and red.

  “What are we doing here?” I ask.

  “I told you, breakfast.” He leads me over to the elevators, presses the up arrow and waits. “What happened with the driver, had nothing to do with you,” he says again.

  “I’m getting a headache; can we not talk about it? I’m going to try and erase it from my brain.” My head is thumping, it feels like my brain has swollen so much my head is going to explode.

  “I hope you’re hungry.” He squeezes my hand, turns, and smiles down at me.

  I’m in no mood for anything, but I have to make sure I don’t get someone else hurt, or killed. “Sure thing,” I say and muster the weakest smile I can offer.

  “After breakfast we’ll get you sunglasses. Do you want anything else? Need it?”

  Ugh, what a stupid question. Yes, I need to go home. “No,” I say. “Actually, I’m due for my period, and I need female products.” I look up at Jude, and notice his cheeks pink. “Seriously?”

  “What?”

  “You can hurt a man with your bare hands, but the moment I mention periods, you go red.”

  He shudders and looks away. The
elevator dings and the door opens to a big empty foyer. Awaiting us on the floor is one of Jude’s body guards. This guy has to be the biggest guy I’ve ever seen. He’s three times the size of Jude, and has shoulders so wide I swear he can barely fit through the elevator doors. Okay, it’s an over exaggeration. He’s not that big, but man, he’s intimidating. He looks like he can stop a bullet with his hands, or eat a medium-sized animal in one sitting.

  “It’s not exactly something I’ve ever had to worry about. Having you around is new to me too.”

  Having me around? You mean kidnapping me? “We all have to adjust to the situation.” I let out a sigh. The doors open to another elevator beside the one we got out of, and another big guy barrels out. “Why don’t you have one guy with you? They’re always changing.” I eye his bodyguards.

  “I only trust one person. I keep rotating everyone else so people aren’t aware of everything happening in my life.”

  “Clear, boss,” one of the bodyguards says.

  He only trusts one person, I wonder who it is. Have we met yet?

  We walk a few steps into a restaurant and we’re immediately lead to the back, where a private room has been set up. “Wow,” I gasp in awe as I head to the huge floor to ceiling windows. “Look at these views!” I lean my hand against the window and look out at the tops of the buildings. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I’ve never seen the city from such heights.

  “I’m okay,” Jude says from somewhere behind me.

  Turning, I find him sitting in one of two plush chairs watching me. “Come have a look.”

  “I’m fine where I am.”

  I look behind him to find the big guy standing guard over the door. I want to call him on it, being afraid of heights, but if the guy laughs, I’m afraid what may happen to him. Instead I sigh and smile. “Suit yourself,” I reply and turn to keep gazing over the city. “It’s so clear. I can see people swimming in the rooftop pool over there.” I point toward the pool, but Jude is too far to see.

  “Do you enjoy the city?” Turning back to Jude, I lean against the window pane. Because we’re so high up, the window is incredibly cool to touch, the cold saturating my skin. Before I answer Jude’s question, he jumps out if his seat and moves in my direction. “Can you step away from there, please?” He holds his hand out for to me to take. The bodyguard moves closer to me too.