Page 23 of Claiming Charlotte

I didn't want to go back there, but I needed to know why. My father was no longer here and I desperately needed answers.

It took some time, but I eventually made it down there and stood in front of the door that held screams resembling the squeal of a pig, and internally my insides twisted around. I didn’t know if it was the fact that Roe was dishing out the torture, or the fact I would be face to face with Richard again.

With a slow steady breath I opened the door and my heart dropped. This was a different kind of rage from Roe, his eyes were wide open, and his laugh shot through me causing my body to quiver. His hand held a bloodied knife; the crimson running down the blade and onto the floor. I felt like my body was present but my mind was completely clouded as I opened my mouth to speak, but the sight before me rendered me speechless. He only said two words as his eyes snapped up to mine.

“Get out.”

I found my legs propelling me forward toward the two men and stopped just short of Roe. He was crazy if he thought he was going to disrespect me. We stared each other down, his heavy breaths encasing my face. I reached down and gently took the knife from his hand.

My hand went to the back of his neck and gripped it tightly, bringing it to my level. And my lips grazed his. “I think it's best to remember who you’re talking to Rowan. Go to the corner and grab the chain that's hanging on the wall.”

“You don’t have to do this, you have nothing to prove.”

“I have everything to prove,” I whispered harshly, letting him go.

“Pain in my ass,” he mumbled, walking over to the rusted chain that sat on the opposite wall.

He dropped the chainlink at my feet and I moved quickly to pick it up, running my fingers along the jagged edges.

“Why did you do it?” I asked Richard.

“Sweet girl, because I can,” he laughed.

I strutted over to him, looping the chain around his neck, leaving the rusted edges to dig painfully into his skin. I attached it to the loop in the floor and grabbed the remote. I had never tortured anyone before, but I will get my answers; one way or the other. I watched with a smirk, and pressed on the up button causing it to wrap around another gear, hidden under the floor.

“Why do you force people into submission?”

“Because it’s fun. Your father enjoyed it for a short time too. Why don’t you look right next to you Charlotte, and ask him,” he sputtered.

“You’re lying!” I yelled, pressing into the remote again, the gear cranked as Richard’s body fought to hang against the restraints Rowan had tied him down with. At this point in time, I didn’t know who or what to believe, and for just a moment, I questioned whether Rowan did enjoy it or not.

I turned to Roe. “Did you like watching the abuse? Collecting them? Training them to submit?”

He looked at me with disbelief. “Lottie don’t let him get into your head.”

I pushed the button and heard Richard wheezing and gasping for air, and held the knife up to Rowan.

“Answer the question Rowan,” I said darkly, backing him against the wall until the knife was pointed at the base of his throat.

“No, Charlotte, I never liked being forced to watch those women being raped. I never liked having to brand every single one, like I was. Like you were!” his voice rose. “But yes, sometimes I enjoyed the chase, I was high and it made me feel powerful, in what I felt was a helpless situation. I’ve told you this. Put the knife down.”

He was right and I was projecting my fear. He had already told me everything and Walker's laugh behind us only confirmed that I was letting him get into my already messy brain. I looked into Roe’s eyes and released the button, allowing Richard’s now unconscious body to fall limply into the chair. My body shook and I dropped the knife to the floor.

“I’m…I thought…” I placed my hand over my chest, the room started spinning and my breathing picked up.

“What’s happening, Rowan, make it stop.” I reached out for him and he grabbed me immediately, pulling me as close as I allowed him.

“I don’t want to be like this. I don’t want to hurt people,” I said in a choked breath.

Silently he placed my hand over his heart and leaned down. “Do you feel that?” He asked. “As long as I am here you will never carry that burden, and you will never have blood on your hands unless you wish it. That's my promise to you.”

I felt my legs give from underneath me, but Roe moved quickly, scooping me up into his arms.

“Let’s go get some rest Princess.”

My hand twisted in his shirt and the tears fell loosely down my face. He must have noticed, because his lips met my sweaty forehead gently.

“Don’t worry Lottie, no one is dragging me away from you ever again. You can let go of my shirt.”

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