Page 6 of Wicked Vengeance

Chapter 4

Raena

Idon’t know what’s worse– the rising bile in my throat or the inability to move my body.

If I throw up when I can’t move, I’m going to drown in my vomit. So, I guess both are equally bad.

My eyes don’t feel as heavy, but when I try to open them, I’m met with oppressive resistance.

I’m blindfolded.

I don’t feel like I’m floating outside my body anymore, but I’m not staying still. My body rocks back and forth against something hard and lumpy, making the nausea worse with every move.

“He…he-lp,” I try to scream, but my words are slurred and feel like sandpaper against my dry throat, barely making a sound.

My shoulders ache, and when I try to move my arms to relieve the pressure, I realize they’re tightly bound behind my back, underneath me.

Fucking hell.

My mind is still groggy, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the fuck happened. I’ve been here before. And I got to say, it still fucking sucks ass.

I just don’t understand what my mother has to do with this. Is she involved with King? Deep in my bones, I know this is his doing. I knew he would come for me eventually, and while it wasn’t exactly my plan to get kidnapped again, it was something I accounted for when I planned my revenge. If I’m being completely honest, I was counting on it.

You can’t slay a monster you’re not willing to face.

This doesn't change anything– it just brings me one step closer to my vengeance.

Relaxing my body in this uncomfortable–and unfortunate position– I let a devious smile slide over my face. My head doesn’t feel quite as muddled now. A calming sense of peace and clarity washes over me like soft waves lapping at the shoreline.

The realization hits me– this time, I’m not alone.

Chapter 5

Alek

“But who are you?” The woman asks softly, twisting her hands together nervously as she looks between my brothers and me.

Ronan stands guard beside her, making sure she doesn't try anything while we’re distracted. Maddox still clings to Em like she might disappear at any second while Royal and I get to our feet.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Royal says, moving to stand at his full height in front of Maddox and Em– an extra shield of protection. The woman backs away meekly until the backs of her knees hit the bed, and she takes a seat, bowing her head submissively.

“Laurelyn– but she calls me Laurie. I’m the…uh…nanny?” She winces as she says it with more of a question than a declaration. I feel like it has more to do with why King actually has her than a lie.

“And why exactly were you hiding her in this tower? Under the bed?” I step forward and ask, searching her face to see if I can pick up on any signs of deceit.

“ I- uh, we were in the g-garden when I heard gunshots. So I g-grabbed her and ran in here to hide,” she stutters, barely above a whisper, as she keeps her eyes trained on her lap.

“It’s okay. We’re not going to hurt you, Laurelyn,” I say gently, stepping forward with my hands raised, stopping just in front of her. I can tell she is a victim here, not a threat. “We’re here for Em. She is leaving with us. You can stay here if you’d like, or we can get you somewhere safe, away from King.”

She finally lifts her eyes to mine, fear and relief warring inside them. I can see her face up close now, which only confirms my suspicion. Easing my hand to her chin slowly, I tip her face from side to side, inspecting the road map of abuse littering her ivory skin.

“King?” I ask, even though I know the answer.

“He doesn’t like it when I get between him and Em,” she says, determination seeping into her words, even if she’s withdrawn and timid. “I’ll take his marks any day if it means she doesn’t have to wear them.”

I nod my head in approval, dropping my hand from her face softly. I don’t dare try to speak right now. I’ll make a damn fool of myself with the amount of emotions bubbling inside me like a hot pot of stew over the fire.

“We need to get moving. We’ve cleared the area for now, but we don’t know when someone else might show up. Are you with us or not?” Ronan directs his question directly at Laurelyn. She squares her shoulders and lifts her chin more confidently this time.

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