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The pain is all too real—the carving of my heart is quite similar to that of a Thanksgiving turkey—dead and sliced. Time passes, as sound from above prattles on, confirming that my new hell hasn’t swallowed me whole yet.
Sarah practically skips down the stairs as she bounces into the room sometime later wearing an ear-to-ear grin and almost nothing else. “Did you enjoy the show?” she asks with glee when she sees the tears and probably snot running down my face. She’s won, and the bitch knows it.
Well, fuck her! And fuck him, too!
She notices the fire in my eyes as I silently shred their existences and smirks. “The drug has a few hours before it’ll leave your system, but when you can, here’s your food.” She sets the tray down but stares, glancing between my eyes and body. “Oh, if you’re wondering why Jaxton was upset, I told him I was pregnant… with his baby.” She cackles, letting that chunk of knowledge sink in.
Does she mean…
Not only is she fucking insane, but a mind reader, too. “That’s right. We had sex right before you two met. We’re going to pass this baby off as mine.” She pops her hip and slides her hand around her flat stomach as if she were an expecting mother. “I’ll need to get one of those silicone bellies, since you’re already showing. No wonder I thought you were fat.” She scoffs, leaving the room and locking the door behind her, dooming my motionless body to nothing but internal thoughts.
The drug wears off after what I’m guessing is a couple of hours. It’s probably the middle of the night, since she said they were meeting in the evening, and I don’t hear any movement upstairs. Echoing grunts and moans try to drag me down as my imagination does a fantastic job of recreating images of their escapades.
I force myself up, trying desperately to escape Jaxton’s betrayal. My hands shake terribly while edging over to the desk to consume my portions. Half is from the drug withdrawal and the other half is internal banter that’s bouncing off the walls. Anger snaps into existence, replacing the brokenhearted emptiness, and reengaging my inner badass bitch.
Who gives a shit if Jaxton chooses her! I’m not going to let her win. This bitch is going down! Fuck them both! She’snotstealing my baby!
The reminder of the baby has courage riding to the surface as I reach down for the first time since the drug released its grip and touched my stomach. My fingertips graze across my belly, noticing the difference from only weeks ago. The slight bump on my lower tummy is precious already and has tears welling and ready to overflow with one blink. A flutter trails the path of my touch, my little bean already a warrior, and trying to escape.
A soft caress settles the movements. “I’m with you, bean. We’ll get out of here somehow.” I vow, promising to try until my last breath to save us.
A sharp mind, strength, and attention to detail are going to deliver our freedom. I’m done waiting around like a damsel in distress for Prince Charming to rescue her. News flash! He’s not!
Once I finish the water and food, I exercise. Not exerting myself to waste energy, but enough to maintain muscle strength. Then I curl up on my side and stare at the wall, knowing sleep is as important as sustenance, but the swirling thoughts prevent the Sandman from pulling me under.
Before I know it, the tapping of footsteps has me blinking awake. Apparently, the stress from my silent meltdown knocked me out, waking in the same position as I fell asleep. Without moving, I concentrate on where the steps are sounding, and how long they’re in each location. I’ve done this almost every day and think I have a decent layout of the house above.
My eyes slip shut again as the footsteps grow nearer until they’re descending. A moment later, the door swings open. She places my meal quickly and doesn’t hesitate to turn to leave.
Not wanting to risk speaking to her this morning, I remain where I am until I hear the heavy front door close, and silence reigns through the house.
Only then do I drag myself up and robotically repeat last night’s ritual of eating and exercise. Food and water are down in record time, even if there’s no taste.
With nothing left to do, I turn the TV on. This contraption is both a curse and a prayer, allowing me information on my case, but torturing me with images of broken family and friends. After a few minutes, the reporter doesn’t disappoint, stating no recent developments, and dashing my hopes of rescue even further. But what is surprising is that Jaxton appears on the screen. He’s as stunning as always, but his handsome face is pale with dark bags under his miserable dull eyes. He resembles nothing of the picture-perfect pair that Sarah’s trying to portray them to be. A tiny fist of hope punches through the tough casing that’s wrapped around my heart, wondering if I’ve let my views wilt too easily.
“Hi, I’m Jaxton. I’m here today for one thing… and that’s tobegwhoever has Avery to give her back to me.” His voice cracks but then coughs it away to continue. “We cannot function without her.” He pauses again, collecting his words. “I’m willing to give you anything,payanything, just please…” His voice gives out completely as tears stream down his face. “Please… please give her back.”
Liam swoops in and wraps his brother in his arms, escorting him away from the cameras. My chain is cutting into my ankle as I stretch as close to him as possible, before flopping to the ground and dropping my face into my hands. Jaxton may have stopped over last night, but his appearance on TV assures me it wasn’t for nefarious reasons like Sarah would like me to believe. She’s fucking with me… again.
Now she’s claimed my baby as her own, manipulating Jaxton, and hoping he’ll forget me like last month’s garbage. Fire lights through my veins, fueling every fiber of my soul with the resolution to escape.
Whatever it takes.
Chapter Eleven
Jaxton
“J
ax… Jax! Come on man, you need to get up. Fucking shower or something. You smell like shit.” Liam nudges me with his foot. “They’re parking, so you better get your ass together.”
He leaves me to wallow, cuddling Avery’s pillow like a lifeline. It lost her scent long ago, but the comfort of her belongings brings me peace.
The boisterous sound of my brothers’ voices bounces around the living room. Similar to echoes in a canyon, instantly settling some of the restlessness that’s vibrating my skin.
The bed dips moments later and the scent of the ocean drifts under my nose. “I’m fine, Cash, getting up right now.”
He pats my back. “No news yet?”
