Page 104 of Reign of the Queen
"I understand." She cries.
Getting to my feet, I grab the rope I just untied off her and motion for her to turn around. She hesitates for the briefest of moments, and then I'm pulling her arms behind her back tightly and tying her wrists and elbows together. It hurts me to have to tie her up again, but it has to look believable. I reach down to the floor and grab the fabric my father was using as a gag. I come around her body with it. She panics and takes a few steps backward, almost crashing into the chair.
"No, please," she begs.
"Shhh, there is no other way." I approach her and tie the gag tightly around her mouth. She's shaking so badly I'm afraid her legs are going to give out on her. "I need you to fight me, do you understand? I need it to look real to anyone watching."
She nods her head, yes, and I grab onto the collar of the shirt I just gave her, pulling and tearing the fabric. Then I pull her across the room. Once we reach the doors of my room, I push her out of the room and grab onto her hair, using it to drag her across the hallway. She starts to fight back, trying to yank her body away from my hold and kicking me with her bare feet. Her fight or flight has kicked in and she’s giving me all she has left, fighting with all her strength.
I don't release my hold on her hair even as we descend the first set of stairs. She stumbles and falls crashing into the stairs and wall. I pull her up by her hair and slap her face hard. I yell into her face. "Stop fucking fighting bitch." My stomach clenches hard and bile rises to my mouth that I have to force back down.
I throw her down the last four steps, and she lands in a sickening heap at the bottom that has my stomach sinking.Fuck I pushed her too hard. Her cry is loud and painful even through the gag. Not bothering to look around but sensing eyes on me. I walk down the remaining steps and pull her back to her feet, my hand going around her neck and squeezing. "If you kick me again, I will end you right here, whore." I tighten my grip around her neck until her face starts turning purple. My stomach revolting against my actions, my hands shaking slightly. My eyes plead with her and beg her to forgive my mistreatment. I want to save her, not hurt her, I just know there is no other way out of here.
Releasing my grip from around her neck, I grab her dark hair again and pull her toward the internal door to the garage. Once we reach the garage, I open up the trunk of the range. I pick up her light and battered body and throw her into the truck, searching for a package of bungee cords I keep back there. I tie them around her ankles, and when she tries to buck me off her, I slap her hard across the face, and her head snaps back. The sound is loud in the cavernous garage space. Anyone watching would have heard it and seen it.Fuck my miserable father; I swear I am going to kill him. He's turning me into a goddamn monster by extension.
Closing the trunk, I move around the vehicle. Just as I'm opening the driver's side door, I notice a movement out of the corner of my eye. One of my father's lackeys is watching me from the shadows. I’m a prisoner here just as much as she is. I nod to him, and he stares back at me. Getting in the car, I speed out of the garage, down our long driveway, and as far away from the Saint-Lambert estate as possible.
The next part will be tricky. I'm pretty sure there's a tracker on my car now, that’s why I think they were able to find us so quickly at Mia’s house. I have to be careful; he wants her dead. If I take her in this vehicle anywhere that might be suspicious to his demands, I'll be paying the price, and she'll be dead anyway.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial Finn's number.
"Bro, where you at?" he answers immediately.
"Get in your car with Mateo, head to the old church on the outskirts, meet me around back where the graveyard is and bring two of the biggest duffle bags you can find and a couple of shovels. Oh, and Finn, ensure you're not being followed by my dad's lackeys. Be safe, bro." I hang up the phone and don't give him any opportunities to ask me questions.
I can hear the girl in the back moving around, trying to release herself and whimpering. I want to stop to release her from her bindings. I know she's terrified and hurt, but I'm afraid we are still being watched. Just a little while longer, and I can release her. Fuck I wish I was releasing myself at the same time.When will I be free of my father and all this vicious shit?
Hanging up with Theo I stare at Mateo.What the fuck is going on?Theo sounds messed up, and I could hear the sound of someone struggling and crying in the background. "Something is up with Theo. We have to go now." I turn away from the front steps of Casbury Prep, leaving the masses of watching sheep behind.
Mateo's on my heels immediately as we make our way back to my car. I try to think where the hell am I going to get shovels and two big duffel bags quickly and then spy the Casbury groundskeepers shed in the far distance across from the football field.
"Mat, I need you to go into the football lockers, find and empty out two large duffel bags, grab some water bottles, and bring them to the Caddie. I'm going to look for some shovels in the groundskeeper's shed."
"What the fuck do we need shovels, duffle bags, and water for? What happened? Are Mia and Carter alright?" He stops dead in his tracks, fear crossing his face.
"I don't know the answer to any of your questions, bro, but Theo is in trouble, and I'm not going to leave him like that. Go get the bags and water and meet me at the car." I move away from him quickly and start heading in the direction of the shed.
When I look over my shoulder, Mateo is racing up the school steps and heading inside. I let the breath I was holding release from my body. Thank fuck he decided to listen for once and not argue.
I'm crossing the football field when a blur of red and blue stops me in my tracks. Melinda is running toward me, her long, red hair loose and trailing behind her. She stops in front of me, letting out a ragged breath and holding her hands at her knees.This bitch needs to do cardio and not just ride on some dicks.I shake my head in annoyance.
"Is it true? Did Carter almost die a few nights ago?" Her face is molten with rage and exertion.
"Not now, Meli. I don't have time for this shit." I move to brush past her, but she grabs onto my forearm with her long nails. I stare her down until she removes her claws from embedding my arm.
"You will not dismiss me, Finn. I want to know if he's alright. How can you be so cruel? I've loved him almost all my life; you know that. We have always been friends. How can all of you just ignore me now?" Tears make their way down her face.
I almost feel bad for her, watching her stand here and cry about a guy she has done everything she can to have over the years, and he literally dropped her like a pile of shit. Melinda isn't an evil person. Let's be clear she's not a good person either, but she doesn't deserve the way Theo and Carter have bounced her on their cocks over the years without any real feelings for her.
As for me being her friend, I think we both know that's a bit of a stretch. She's always kept her distance from me and treated me like an outsider. I get it. I wasn't born rich, just married into wealth, so for her, I'm not special enough to warrant her riding my dick.Thank fuck for that.
"Look, Meli, I don't have time right now to deal with whatever tantrum you're gonna throw, but yeah, Carter's alive, and he's doing just fine." I pry her fingers off my arm and move away from her again.
"I went by the hospital and his house. His dad told me he's not there and that he hoped he died. Where is he, Finn? Maybe I could take care of him. You know how his dad is," she says softly.
Shaking my head at her, anger fills my veins. Now she wants to take care of him. Now she's worried about protecting him. I turn my angry glare back on her. "He doesn't need you to take care of him, and no worries, he's got all the protection he needs from his dad. He's living with Mia now. She's got him."
It's like I hit her physically with just my words. She stumbles back in her ridiculous shoes and almost goes down on her bony ass. I'm watching a wreck happen. I can't convince myself to look away. Her shoulders shake first, and then the sobs are racking her whole skinny body. She collapses to the ground and sits there despondent and crying.
