Page 38 of The Ghost of Rage's War

“Is that all? I’ve been a captive four months? It feels like a year,” I whispered.

I didn’t know if Maria overheard me. Who cared if she did? Certainly not me. I wasn’t going to gussy this crap up. Even in this gilded cage, I was a prisoner.

Chapter Nine.

Carmelle - 4thof February - 2019

Idressed in the pyjamas that Sharp had bought and left the bathroom after running a brush through my hair. Sharp bought the children some decent clothing, and I was relieved to be rid of the rags they’d had at the hellhole.

Shannon was cramming grapes into her mouth. A tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit had been delivered, and as I sniffed, I caught the wonderful aroma of coffee.

“Mr Santos has called for a doctor. One shall arrive within the hour. Lunch today will consist of a tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for Shannon. For yourself, there’ll be a crab salad with fries and fresh bread. Dinner is chicken carbonara with pasta and aside salad. Fresh rolls will accompany it. The chef will also prepare a pureed carrot and swede dish with chicken for Sadie’s lunch and dinner. There will be chocolate pudding with cream afterwards for the girls and a crème brûlée for yourself. Are those meals acceptable to you?” Maria asked.

I couldn’t help it. A hysterical laugh left my mouth. “After eating junk food or being starved for days, you’re asking if that is okay? Shit, we’d eat anything and be grateful.”

Maria’s lips pursed as I kept laughing and sat down on the sofa. Shannon crawled over to me while a quick look showed Sadie was sound asleep.

Shannon offered me a grape, and I chewed it as I continued to laugh. When I got control of myself, Maria was gone, and I was alone again.

Sharp

After giving his promise to Carmelle, Sharp left the suite. Every instinct he had, urged him to grab her and run, but he couldn’t. He needed to understand Fury’s plan, which meant Carmelle was in huge danger. Fury and Romeo both knew who she was, and she’d gone from a crazed madman to a controlled one. But she wouldn’t be stripped, beaten, and groped here.

As he walked to Romeo’s office, Sharp wondered what was next. He’d call Anderson and let him knowabout Carmelle and her connections to Rage. He also had to find out about her husband. Carmelle had inquired, but she wasn’t ready for the answer. Sharp suspected Beau was dead, and Carmelle knew it but was hoping otherwise.

He opened the office door and was surprised to see Romeo, Seabrooke, and a decanter of Romeo’s favourite whiskey on his desk.

“Was questioning your loyalty, Mr Sharp,” Romeo stated.

Sharp walked over and took a seat and picked up the glass in front of him. He made a show of studying the colour of it before taking a swallow.

“Yeah, kinda resented that. And when numbnuts here started spouting bullshit, it was obvious. I haven’t given you reason to doubt me,” Sharp replied.

Seabrooke began, “Your actions—”

Sharp turned to him and cut him off. “Was a man concerned about his boss? Gonna be upfront, you been acting erratically. Now I know why, but at the time, I was worried, and it’s my job to ensure you survive everything thrown at you.”

“Can understand that.”

“Tell me about this wonderful gift you brought me. I’m sure Fury is as angry as fuck you snatched her from under him,” Romeo crowed.

Sharp swallowed his whiskey. He had a job to do, and every day, the end result marched closer. Strangely, Romeo was keen to shoot the shit for the next hour.

Sharp didn’t ask why he wanted to stay too. Sharpknew a doctor had been called, and he needed some answers.

They looked up as a small guy carrying a bag entered. Sharp recognised him as a doctor on Romeo’s payroll. The doc took an offer of a whiskey and then began discussing Carmelle.

Sharp relaxed when the man confirmed no rape had occurred, but she’d been hit and clearly abused. Sharp frowned at the pictures the doctor had taken of Carmelle’s bruises and his teeth ground together. While no bones had been broken, the doctor was concerned that Carmelle might need to stop breast feeding. Carmelle, by all accounts, had merely waved him away. The doctor also stated she was in a great deal of shock, and, while attentive to the children, she seemed dissociated from reality.

Sharp had been disgusted at the pictures. He’d guessed Carmelle would have some bruises from Fury’s treatment. However, seeing a patchwork of black and blue marks covering her entire breasts was shocking. His teeth ground together it was just another crime Fury needed to pay for. Sharp couldn’t imagine the pain Carmelle must have been in, and yet she hadn’t complained once. The doctor left after giving Romeo some painkillers for her.

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Romeo said, interrupting his thoughts.

“Yeah.”

“And Michaelson’s her brother. That’s a surprise. Do you think Drake knows?” Romeo questioned.

“How would I know, boss?” Sharp replied andlooked at Seabrooke.

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