Page 50 of Unhinged

“He refused a meeting,” I reply, knowing that having to go to see Damien will make my meeting with Pablo impossible.

She continues to pop grapes into her mouth. “With me, but not with you.”

“You’re going to send me into the lion’s den?” It’s a dangerous meeting, but she doesn’t care. She never does. All that matters to her is power and control.

Her eyes narrow as she glares at me. “You’re becoming rather disobedient lately.”

I can feel the tension between us crackle, a tangible force ready to explode. I’m skating on thin ice and too close to the edge of destruction. If I’m too brazen and too reckless, she could sense my intent.

I take a deep breath, tamping down the anger that threatens to spill out. “Alright,” I say, my voice controlled. “I’ll meet with Vasquez.” I take one last look at her, the Red Queen, in all her icy splendor, before turning on my heel and exiting the room.

Once outside, I lean against the wall, letting out a sigh. I need to speed up my plan. As much as it kills me to admit, Ileana’s right. I’ve become disobedient and too obvious. But Alice needs someone to protect her. Matias and Thiago are two men ruled by nothing but their primal urges. If I don’t do something now, it’ll be too late.

A grim smile tugs at my lips. Time to put my plan into motion. Time to play the game by my rules.

I take a moment to settle my nerves, to rein in the storm raging within me. Then, I push off the wall and go to the basement. The corridor appears longer than usual, echoing with the thud of my footsteps.

When I get to Alice’s cell, I hesitate. And then I appear before the bars, gazing at the three girls. This is the first time I’ve been to her alone since her friend, Blake, was taken by Gaston two days ago.

Her eyes narrow when she sees me.

I unlock the cell door. “Alice, I need to speak with you.”

“Then you can do it in front of my friends,” she replies coldly.

Doesn’t she realize I had no power over Gaston taking her friend? It was out of my hands.

“Now,” I growl.

My tone startles her, making her stand. She walks out of the cell, leaving her friends behind.

Once Alice is out, I lock it and lead her out of earshot of the other girls.

“You bastard,” she says, her voice shaking. “You said you’d get us all out. The four of us!” She hits me then, and I grab her wrist, stopping her.

“I didn’t have a choice,” I snarl, wrapping a hand around Alice’s throat and slamming her against the wall. My anger boils over, an uncontrollable tempest, and I let it flare despite my love for her. “You think I wanted this?” I spit out, my words harsh. “You think I wanted to see Blake taken away? You think I want you here, at her mercy?”

Her eyes flash with terror and regret sears through me, but the fury keeps spilling out. I’m no longer in control.

“I’m doing everything I can!” I hiss, my grip on her neck tightening. “And it’s tearing me apart.”

Her lip wobbles, and a few tears escape her eyes. “I know,” she breathes.

Her statement eases my rage. Drawing a shaky breath, I release my grip on her neck. “Listen carefully, little bird,” I tell her, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I’m putting my plan in motion. I’ll unseat Ileana from her throne, but it won’t be easy. It’s far more complex than you can imagine.” I pause, looking into her eyes, pleading with her to understand. “But you need to trust me. I’ve got to protect you from Matias and Thiago now more than ever. Ileana has ordered me to leave them to train you.”

The fear in Alice’s eyes cuts me like a knife. “But, they’ll…” She trails off, unable to say it. They’ll rape her and her friends if I don’t find a way to stop them. Thiago’s the only one I can try to reason with out of the two. Matias is a psycho. He doesn’t listen to anyone but his brother, so I need Thiago on my side.

“I won’t let them. I promise. I’ll die before another man touches you,” I growl. The possession over her I feel is fierce, primal. It’s an emotion so deep it startles me. “I’ll kill them first,” I add, my voice barely a whisper now. “I’ll kill them and fucking bathe in their blood. And then we’ll lose ourselves to our passion while they lie on the ground lifeless.”

My depraved fantasy makes Alice gasp, but when I look into her eyes, all I see is desire.

“Does that excite you, little bird?”

“Yes,” Alice answers, her voice trembling. “Yes, it does.” The admission shocks us both, but this is why I’m so drawn to her. She’s perfect for me.

“Good, you must trust me,” I respond.

She nods. “I trust you.” She rises on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against mine.

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