Good Girl(28)

“I saw some in a cabinet in the kitchen. I'll heat some up for you. Head upstairs, and I’ll be up in a minute. Alright?” He pushes the hair out of my face and I lean in as he cups the side of my head.

He leans in and kisses my forehead. I find myself wanting more. But I’m grateful with what he’s given me. “Go upstairs and lie in bed. I’ll be up soon.” I nod my head, but as I start to say “Yes, Kane,” his lips brush against mine in a soft kiss. I close my eyes, needing more. But I feel the air shift and hear him walk away. When I open my eyes, I’m alone.

It’s a long walk up the stairs. I brace myself on the railing. I feel slightly sick and lethargic. I’ve never felt like this before. I’m just so tired. It must be everything weighing down on me.

I felt something like this before, although it was different, the first few weeks of this new life. My life of imprisonment. I crawl onto the bed and lie down. I can’t help remembering how everything was supposed to be that day.

I was going to help Marie with her calculus. Summer break was nice, but that’s only because I didn’t take summer semester classes. My sister did, though. She had to retake it. It was a Thursday, her final was the next day, and then we were going to celebrate. I can still hear myself scolding her for not studying like she should have. My dry eyes itch with the need to cry, but the tears don’t come. Do you want to fail? ‘Cause you sure as fuck aren’t acting like you care! I was so pissed. So angry that she wasn’t trying.

I know we were handed a life of luxury. We’d never have to work a day for the rest of our lives if we didn’t want to. But I was so angry that she’d pissed away another semester. I mean, fuck calculus, but don’t sign up and then waste it. My heart thuds painfully in my chest. It never mattered. I never should have yelled at her. I swallow thickly as I see her face down on the ground, bullet holes in her back. I hear myself screaming as the men surround me. At first I wished they’d killed me instead. But after all this time, I’m grateful.

I never would have wanted her to go through this. I would have rather died than go through what Felipe did to me.

He was the first, while Felipe held me down. They tied me to a chair and each did what they wanted to me. I close my eyes remembering how much it hurt. Remembering the pain on my father’s face.

At first I blamed him. He did this. He’s a bad man, and they came for us because of him. But that’s not true. I spent weeks watching them hunt down my family. But then there were more. Innocent people who they took just for their own pleasure. Other families who were afraid to say yes equally as much as they were afraid to say no.

They’re horrible men who deserve to die a thousand agonizing deaths. I hate them with everything in me. My fists clench at my side. The three of them need to die. A small, wicked smile grows on my face. One down, two to go.

I was never this person. I would have never felt happiness at another’s misfortune. But there’s nothing about me that’s remotely the same as before. I was their prize. A gift to lend out to help seal deals.

They’ve made me a different person.

And they’ll die because of the monster they created.

Anger lights inside of me. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this need. My forehead creases with confusion. Why does it feel like it’s been so long? This is my one goal. My one reason to live. As the thought registers, I hear the door open.

The anger dissipates and a soothing balm runs through me.

Kane.

He’s going to make me better. I just need to be his good girl. He’ll make everything better.





Kane





Anxiety races through my body as I climb the stairs. I feel like a sitting duck staying here. But I’m fucked if I leave. I shove my nerves aside. I killed a man today. Not just any man. I’ve killed before and felt next to nothing. All of them were bastards who deserved to die. Each time I pulled the trigger and never looked back, unless it was to make sure he wasn’t still breathing.

But today I killed a man that could haunt me. A man who Abram’s going to be pissed about losing. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out. Or before the Valettis tell him. I’m almost certain they won’t, but it’d only take a single man to tell. Just one lowly soldier in their famila could bring about my death sentence.

Between the two of them, the Petrovs and the Valettis, I trust the Valettis more. But I’m not fucking stupid. I’ve trusted men before and gotten shot at from behind. I need to figure something out. I half expected a call by now from Abram. If Vince was going to make a move, he would’ve by now. He could’ve easily taken a shot today. He didn’t though, and I’m not exactly sure why. I imagine they’re displeased with the current business arrangement, but I need to find out exactly what’s going through his head.