Page 44 of Damned By His Angel

“You better start explaining shit now, asshole!” King bellows.

“Get a plane ready to fly to Switzerland.”

“Why, Cronos?” Knight asks.

“Amelia is going to Switzerland,” I answer.

“How do you know that for sure?” Sin presses.

“The first place she met the Devil was at Blackwood Academy. She knows I told London about Aida there, that's why she called Kingsley Aida, so I would piece it together,” I announce.

“Who the fuck is Kingsley?” Rook asks no one in particular.

“My daughter,” I say with conviction, daring any of them to argue with me.

“She’s going to Blackwood?” King mutters.

“No, she’s going to Switzerland. It was the only way she knew I would get what she was putting down. He’s taking her to Switzerland because he thinks that’s still neutral turf, but he doesn’t know that you all control the majority of the table.” I turn to Taylan next, knowing he is the only one here with the power to help me. “I need you to garner Knox and Waverly’s consent to shed blood there.” Taylan sighs but nods and leaves the room to place a call. I look to Royal next. “You need to get Ian’s permission to start a war there, and just so we are all clear, I don’t a give a fuck if those three agree or not. I will go there and shed as much fucking blood as it takes to get my girls back.” I don’t stick around to hear what they say, I grab Beth’s hand and lead her out of the room so I can take her home before I go after what is mine.

Amelia

The pains are frequent and closer together, sweat is beading down my brow. I’ve nearly bitten through my bottom lip to keep from crying out, I refuse to allow this bastard to know I am in pain and give him the satisfaction of knowing he will be here when I give birth to the child he doesn’t want.

When Colson told me I had to call Cronos and break his heart I tried to refuse but a swift backhand and the threat of him kicking my stomach had me complying. I don’t know if Cronos understood what I was saying. I am praying with every ounce of my being that he got it, I feel horrible for using Aida’s name against him but I didn’t have a choice. He sounded so cold and detached on the phone.

When another wave of pain robs me of breath I arch forward in my seat and slam my eyes closed as I tighten my arms around myself.

Please, Kingsley, not now, sweet girl!

The only bonus to the constant pain is that it keeps my mind off my mom. I haven’t been able to stop the tears from flowing since I woke up on the plane. The sight of her standing there looking utterly broken and torn in half will haunt me, when I asked Colson where she was he smiled wide, placed a kiss on my lips and said dead. I screamed and wailed until he punched me in the face, dazing me, my cheek still aches from the hit but it's nothing compared to the pain in my heart and the contractions.

I can’t have this baby without my mom!

A sob claws its way out of me and I bite down on my bruised lip to remain silent but Colson hears and he looks pissed.

“You want something to fucking cry about?” he snarls from his seat across from me. I shake my head.

“No.”

“No, what?” he screams at me, I flinch in fear.

“No, sir,” I say shakily.

He smiles triumphantly. “You’re a fucking pathetic waste of space. Soon as that kid is out of you, you’ll join your mother.” My eyes widen as fear grips me in its clutches.

“Colson, please, don’t take her from me—” Before another word can be spoken, he leans forward and slaps me. I cry out, which only angers him further. He hates when I make a sound as he beats me. My head is yanked back by his grip on my hair, I look up in time to see his fist coming. I can’t even protect myself, on the second punch, I black out.

I’m woken by a sharp pain in my lower back. I groan as I try to open my eyes but only one does, the other is swollen shut. I whimper but quickly quiet myself so no one hears. I fight through the pain and push myself into a sitting position. I gasp as I look around to see I’m in a bed in a room with four white walls. The beeping coming from my left draws my attention and my eyes widen at the sight of a heart monitor. An IV is set up and I see the cannula in my hand, I’m even wearing a yellow hospital type gown.

My ankles are chained to the end of the makeshift hospital bed. This cannot be happening! He knows Kingsley is coming and there is nothing I can do to stop it! It’s too early, I’m only thirty-four weeks, without the proper facilities to help a premature baby she won’t make it. A lump forms in my throat as more tears gather in my eyes, I can’t lose my mom and daughter!

The door opens and a nurse enters with a tray, she looks at me without an ounce of remorse. I inhale through my nose and compose myself as I draw on every ounce of training I have received throughout my life.

Pain won’t last.

Take the beating and never let them see they are under your skin.

Don’t let them in your head.

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