I wondered how long Jaylah had known the officer. I doubted she’d been out on dates since my abduction. I sincerely doubted that she’d been flirting and sneaking out through her window either - and yet she seemed oddly familiar with this man.
It had been ten days since I’d been taken.
In ten days, my entire personality had been morphed into something ugly. Now, I didn’t know who I was. My gentle heart and soft-spoken soul was wary and lashing. I was angry. I was sad. I was broken.
I was broken.
Calix, the man who in only four days had tricked my body into convincing my mind of the impossible - that I loved him - had broken me.
Now, I was ashamed.
Seeing my little sister, so lacking of sleep and peace of mind on this screen did nothing but solidify the loathing I felt toward this man sitting beside me.
I wished for the first time since my first night with Calix, that I would have pressed the blade into his throat, that I would have killed him. But if I had, my family would die. He’d told me this - but maybe he was wrong. Maybe this officer who seemed so interested in my sister, would protect them from the harm of Calix.
“Officer Michael Andean has been instructed to take a special interest in your case.” Calix informed matter of fact. His voice was cold and clinical and I found myself blinking in shock. “He visits your family twice a day, before and after his shift. He has promised, on countless occasions, that he is doing all that he can to find you. His orders have been to become especially close to your sister, Jaylah.”
And that was when I realized what Calix was saying. Officer Michael Andean was under Calix’s employment.
Calix continued at my astonished silence. “He has succeeded in his mission, Nova. Jaylah trusts him implicitly. She would meet him anywhere, follow him into harm, and no one would suspect a thing of such a respected officer.” A fat tear slid down my cheek, but no sound escaped my lips. “You see, love.” His hand caught my chin to force my face toward his. “I’ve thought of everything. Your failure to act as my wife should will only result in unfavorable consequences that your family will suffer.”
“You’re a bastard.” I said without emotion. I hated the way his hand felt against my skin, but I didn’t shake his grip from my chin.
Calix cocked his head to the side, and for a brief moment, a fleeting flash of pain shone through his eyes. “You know I dislike hurting you, love. But you insist on fighting me for a freedom you will never again have.” He sighed. “I’m done riding idle threats to keep you in check, Nova. The next time you decide to ignore my calls or affections, there will be devastating consequences.” His eyes were cold and hard. His decision had been made and I knew, I just knew, this threat wasn’t in any way idle.
He continued. “My men have been expertly placed into your families lives. Keep in mind love, that I knew for two years that I was going to take you. The kind of patience I employed prior to your abduction has invaluable benefit to me now. Your mother works with two of my men - men who were loyal to my parents - who also seek revenge for your father’s actions. Know that they won’t hesitate to act on an order - no matter how devastating.”
With that, Calix leaned forward to slap the laptop closed. The image of Jaylah smiling at that dangerous man made my stomach ache and nausea bubbled up in my throat that I forced to remain down as I pulled in measured breathes.
“How could you do this, Calix?” I whispered. “How could you do this to me and my family? We did nothing wrong.”
“I did nothing wrong when I was forced to attend my parents funeral when I was only a boy. To every action there is a reaction. This is the reaction of your father’s action. This is fate, Nova.”
Looking deep into his blue eyes, I asked. “What will the reaction to your actions be, Calix?”
His lips tightened into a tense line on his face, but his voice was sad. “I am prepared to pay the price of my actions, love.”
Despite the longing I felt inside to fight this action of Calix’s, I nodded. “What do you hope to achieve from this, Calix?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What are you asking?”
“What are you trying to accomplish by making me yours?”
“You already are mine, love.” He said without an ounce of insecurity. “But I know that one day, your father will realize who has taken you, and he will come for you. When he comes, I’ll kill him.”
“You will kill my father?” My voice didn’t even crack.
“Yes.” Calix nodded his certainty.
“You will willingly, consciously, force upon me the same pain you were unfairly forced to live through when your own parents were brought to their death?” This time, I felt the blood rush from my head and I closed my eyes to steady the sudden dizziness. “You will hurt me like that?” I whispered.