Page 17 of Scar

“Look, I’m going to be quick. I’m out. I am currently sat in the middle of some fucking wood. I’m going to keep moving straight, and hopefully come to a road or a building. Something. Tell Cash I left out the front door and ran straight. I’ve not turned in any other direction. Have him work out where the fuck I am, then come and fucking get me,” I state.

“How in the fuck did you get out?” he asks.

“I will explain later, but right now I need you fuckers to come and get me,” I state.

“Of course. Hold tight brother, we will find you,” Ghost says before disconnecting.

I get to my feet, groaning at the pain and keep moving. Light soon begins to fade, and as I make my way through the wood every part of my body protests, begging me to stop, but I don’t. I pause for a moment, hearing what sounds like a truck engine. I am about to crouch down low when the burner phone rings.

I immediately answer. “Yeah?”

“We are here brother, you have to be close,” Ghost states.

“Fucking took you long enough,” I complain as I push forward, following the sound of the truck. I squint when I see the lights of the vehicle through the break in the trees, and two bodies shining torches into the wood. One shines right in my eyes. “Fuck man,” I mutter.

“Jesus, it’s fucking good to see you,” Ghost sighs before disconnecting.

Ghost and Spider are the only ones there, both pulling me into a tight hug, slapping me on the back. I quickly climb into the back of the truck and let out a relived sigh as my body finally relaxes with pure exhaustion.

“Jesus brother, you must have walked over 15 miles,” Spider points out as he drives.

Ghost turns around in the passenger seat to look at me. “Fuck brother, they starved you?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah, I’d be dead if it wasn’t for Elsie,” I answer. “She’s the reason I’m here,” I add.

Ghost gives a brief nod. My eyes are too heavy from exhaustion, and he turns back around, not pressing further. As sleep takes hold, my last thought is that I hope she’s okay.

CHAPTER NINE

ELSIE

I openmy eyes and my head feels like it’s caving in on itself. A groan escapes me and as I look up, I see my father’s angry gaze. Not concern or worry. Anger.

“You want to tell me why the fuck you were down in the basement?” he seethes. I blink and move to slowly sit up, and it’s then that I realise I’ve been moved to the living room.

I wince as I touch the back of my head, feeling dried blood where the brick had connected. For someone that didn’t want to knock me out, he sure did a good job. “I, I am not sure what happened,” I whimper as I turn my expression to a mask of fear. “I heard banging down in the basement, so I went to look. I remember opening the door and looking around, then darkness,” I lie, adding in a small sob for effect. Seriously, I should be receiving my Oscar by now.

My father’s assessing gaze relaxes for a moment before he nods and turns to Layton, who I hadn’t realised had been stood behind me the entire time.

“Kill them,” he orders.

Shit! “What? Daddy, not a war, please,” I beg. He is about to open his mouth, but I cut him off. “I, I wasn’t going to say anything, but in light of what’s happened, I feel compelled to...” Iexhale as I look up at Layton, forcing a look of love and adoration upon my face. “I’ve fallen in love, Daddy. I have fallen in love with Layton. I don’t want any wars. I don’t want to risk losing him, not when we are only just getting started,” I say, choking on a forced sob.

My father freezes as he looks between Layton and me. Layton looks at me, his gaze narrowing. I look at him as I reach my hand out for him and he steps forward, taking my hand in his. He leans down and I pull him into my arms.

“On our date the other night, you made me fall. This hit to my head, this near death experience has made me not want to hold back. I don’t want to wait another minute. Just think of us, the power we would have together,” I whisper in his ear, purposefully dangling that carrot I know he so desperately wants. He leans back slightly, looking into my eyes. “It’s you and me. You can rule and I will be right by your side. My king needs his queen,” I whisper softly, wanting to gag at my own words. I know I’ve signed myself up for a lifetime of suffering by even suggesting this to Layton. I know that once I’m his he will not let me go. A small sacrifice for Scar’s life.

Layton smiles, that evil glint in his eye sparking. He roughly cups my face in his hands and places a rough and frankly crappy kiss on my lips. “My fucking queen,” he growls. I force a smile, watching as he stands and holds his hand out to my father. “Sir, I’m sorry for the shock you must be feeling. I have felt things for your daughter for a long time now, and I was never quite sure if she felt the same way, but now I know that she does. I would like nothing more than to ask you for her hand in marriage,” he states.

I want to be sick. Marriage?! I mean, I knew I’d be his, and I knew he would parade me on his arm and declare to all that I was his, but marriage?! I’ve done it now. This has gotten way out of hand. I’m so zoned out in my own thoughts that I missmy father giving Layton his blessing. I’m only aware he’s said yes when my father crouches down and gives me a tight hug, his hand squeezing my arm. It’s a warning not to fuck this up. God, what have I done?

“For my daughter, I will not bring war. Not today. Today we celebrate! Go get yourself cleaned up. Tonight, we will go out to dinner at Farrell’s!” my father exclaims. Not a word of someone checking over my head. Not, are you okay? Nope, let’s get ready and go out to dinner to announce to the world that his daughter has chosen well. In his eyes, at least.

He stands and drapes his arm over Layton’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s have a drink while she gets ready,” my father says as they walk off.

I hear my mom scoff from the other side of the room. “You have no idea what you are getting yourself into,” she sneers, shaking her head. “I always knew you were stupid, but I didn’t think you were this stupid,” she adds. “You should have ran with him when you had the chance.”

My ears start ringing at her words, and I try to mask my reaction. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug, trying my best to hide the fear that is now coursing through my veins. Does she know? If she knows and tells my father, I will be in for a world of pain.

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