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Her breathing stops momentarily. “Then what am I to you?”
“A beautiful gift … someone who stole my breath and heart.”
“But you—”
“I know what I am and what I did,” I interrupt. “The question is … do you?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Then figure that out first.” I plant another kiss on her shoulder.
“How? If you won’t tell me?”
“By accepting my love,” I whisper, trailing more kisses along her skin. “By giving your heart and soul to me.”
“But—”
“There is nothing out there for you, Syrena,” I say, taking her earlobe into my mouth, sucking it, cherishing every inch of her skin. “Nothing but pain. I can give you whatever you need, whatever you want. Love. Attention. A home. Me.”
My eyes rise, and I let my hands roam freely across her neck, caressing her. She arches her back and drops her head on the couch, allowing me access.
“I want you to stay,” I whisper, tickling her spine. “Willingly. With me. Not because I bought you, but because you want to. I promise I’ll give you anything you desire.”
She sighs and turns around in my arms, giving me her back so I can massage her further.
That’s when I notice a peculiar mark on her neck where her hairline and skin meet.
A birthmark in the shape of a droplet.
“Freedom?” she mumbles.
But I’m no longer listening.
No longer here.
My mind is scattering, my breath faltering, my heart palpitating.
All I can see is that birthmark.
Because it means … everything.
Chapter Seventeen
Accompanying Song: “Close Your Eyes” by Run The Jewels ft. Zack de la Rocha
Chase
I drive as fast as I can, trying not to break any traffic laws. I don’t want to break my own moral code, but fucking hell … is it hard.
After discovering that birthmark, I immediately got up from the couch and grabbed my stuff. I left her at home under the shower and told her I needed to run an errand. I know she doesn’t believe me, but right now, none of that matters. I’ll explain it later … if there’s anything to explain.
I have to know for certain first.
What if it’s true?
I shake my head. It can’t be. It can’t fucking be true.
Still, I have to know for sure, a hundred percent.
Which is why I won’t stop driving until I reach my destination. Graham’s compound, where he does all his dirty business and keeps all the boys and girls locked up tight, doing fuck knows what.
Fuck!
I slam the wheel so hard I almost lose control and crash, but I manage to regain my temper and position on the road before I cause an accident.
Nothing I do can take away this rage.
I should’ve known something was going on. She was perfect, too perfect … and now I know why. No wonder my heart is so consumed with her. This has to be it.
Fuck, it’s going to be one hell of a long ride all the way down there. But I don’t give a damn how long it takes me. Hours. Days. I’ll get there. One way or another, he’s going to tell me the truth.
If I have to kick the door until I have broken bones just to bust it down, I’ll fucking do it. I don’t care.
The only thing I brought was a bat and my mask. I didn’t have the time or the patience to pack anything else, but it’ll do. In and out quickly—as long as I get my answers, I’m good.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes, and I’m growling out loud while I pick it up.
“What?”
“Where are you?” Brandon shouts.
“Why?”
“I rang your doorbell, but no one answered. Did you leave your girl alone in there?”
“She’ll manage,” I reply. “I left her some food, and she knows how to behave.” I clear my throat. “Did you take care of the boy?”
“Yeah, I took him to the cops. Anonymous. No trail. He hasn’t seen my face, don’t worry.”
“I’m not. I trust you.”
“Right. But where the hell are you even off to?” he asks.
I sigh. “Graham.”
“What? Why now?” he shouts. “That wasn’t the plan, Chase.”
“I know!” I shout back. “But I need answers. Now.”
“Answers to what? Dude, what aren’t you telling me? Did she tell you something?”
I hang up the phone before he can ask more. I’ll apologize later.
I can’t answer his questions because I don’t know if my hunch is true yet. If it is, I’ll tell him, but if it isn’t, I’m not interested in him shouting at my face that I ruined our only chance to get Graham.
I need to know this, and I know Brandon would never let me go if he knew the real reason. That’s just how he is. He wants to protect me, but I don’t need protection. I can handle myself. Always have.
I only stopped on the way for a quick drink, a snack, and to fill my gas tank, so after driving for a few hours, I’m finally there. I immediately jump out of my car and grasp the bag lying on the back seat, putting on my mask as I walk. I ram open the compound doors using a metal bat, pulling off the chains with sheer force.
