Page 5 of Shattered & Returned

I’d assumed Mom had taken me from my father, whom I’d never met, and that she feared he’d find me and take me from her.

The masked thug’s shout echoed in my head.“He sensed her two weeks ago.”

The timing fit.

“Who sensed me?” I demanded. “Are you talking about my biological father? Did he send you?”

It shouldn’t be possible for my father to locate me. I wasn’t in the system, and Mom had erased herself, staying under the radar all these years.

Both thugs looked confused before one shook his head and the other shrugged.

“We don’t give a fuck about your father. He’s irrelevant,” Thug One said.

This wasn’t about my bloodline that I knew nothing about. And there was no legitimate reason for these men to come to my house. Without warning, I flung the rock at him and bolted.

He ducked swiftly, dodging it.

I hiked up my robe to keep from tripping as I ran toward the garden’s edge. Once I reached the forest, I could lose them. Just as I leaped over the fence, a trunk-thick arm wrapped around my middle and yanked me back.

I kicked and shouted for him to release me, but the giant pinned me against his chest, my feet unable to reach him. I considered slamming my head back into his face but knew I’d only hurt myself. The strength with which he held me indicated military training or worse. If he hadn’t pinned both arms to my sides, I could have scratched him. That option was gone as well. These men were experienced kidnappers.

“She’s got some fight in her,” Thug Two said. “That’s good, right, Dante?”

That was a stupid comment, and he was stupider to reveal his pal’s name. But his words sent dread through my stomach. I’d read enough horror stories. Were they planning to force me into pit fights?

The only way to escape was persuasion and logic.

“You’ve got the wrong girl,” I said clearly. “I’m dirt poor. You’re welcome to take anything from my home, but I don’t have rich relatives who’ll pay a ransom. No one knows me.”

“Of course no one knows you, Miss,” Thug Two said, his smile stretching as Dante wheeled me toward a trail leading away from the garden. “You were hidden from us for so long. We’re lucky to find you at all.”

They didn’t head toward the forest but carried me in the opposite direction.

“Who are you people?” I hissed.

“Don’t fuss. You’ll know soon,” Dante promised. “His name is Orren.”

“Nice to make your acquaintance,” Orren offered.

“Did you hear what I said?” I shouted while struggling in his arms. Orren moved to help subdue me, and I kicked him in the face.

He leaped back, massaging his cheek. “Whoa, whoa. There’s no need for that. I heard you.”

“You’ve got the wrong girl, and it’s not too late to correct your mistake and?—”

“This argument is getting tiresome,” Dante said as he carried me to the road. “You’re exactly what we’ve been looking for, Carrot.”

“My name is not Carrot!” I called out angrily. “My name is Bloom Aurelius. Let me go!”

Orren gestured at my red hair as if that explained everything.

Deep laughter boomed from Dante’s chest, vibrating against my back. My face burned while I struggled uselessly.

The drowning dream flooded back, making me gasp. What if these thugs were taking me somewhere to drown me? Wasn’t that what the dream had warned about? But first, I’d have to meet the handsome stranger.

“Well, you’re very creative at calling people names,” I said sarcastically.

“At least this one isn’t too mean,” Dante said thoughtfully.

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