Page 73 of Colton
I grit my teeth and try to move, but the bastards hold me down, sliding a pole between my shackles, spreading me wide.
You know what to do, Luella. Escape.I push away the pain, the fear, and I let myself float above it all. I become nothing—just a shadow, a ghost passing through this moment.
One climbs onto my back, almost winding me with the weight of his body, and I close my eyes, willing my body to relax.
It will be easier if you relax,I tell myself, vomit leaving my throat as he moans behind me, his grubby hands all over me.It won’t hurt as much.I close my eyes and drift away, letting my mind escape to a place where their touch can’t reach me. I am not here—I am somewhere far away, untouchable, invincible.
As the world around me darkens, I think of him. Colton. His touch, his voice—it brings me back. It reminds me who I am, that I’m stronger than this. The pain doesn’t matter, not when I can still hold onto him in my mind. Tears sting my eyes as I imagine what he would do to these men if he were here, and I bitterly regret leaving him. Because as much as he was a monster, he killed for me. He protects me, maybe not from himself, but from other sick fucks.
Together, we could have ended this. But no, I had to do it alone, didn’t I?
You knew this was a possibility.I did, and now I have to suffer.
They think I’m weak, that I’ll shatter under their touch. But they don’t know me. My body may be theirs to control for now, but my mind is my own. I feel nothing. I am not here. I am far away, in a place where their hands can’t reach me, where their voices are just whispers in the wind. They can hurt me, but they will never have me. Not really.
But then a scream of agony tears through the air, and I realize it’s me.
Time to escape, Lu,I hear my mother’s voice, guiding me away from all of this.Come and be with me and your sister, if only for a minute.
Chapter 33
Colton
Igrip the wheel tighter, my knuckles milky white beneath the streetlamps above. My mind races as I speed down the dark road, the voices surprisingly silent. I know I can’t just walk up to my father’s house if he has Luella because he’ll expect that. I exhale my annoyance as I realize I can’t do this alone, not unless I have a machine gun.
Quite frankly, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility, but my father has at least thirty men on the grounds at all times. The chances of one of them sniping me from the roof is highly likely, and I’m positive my father will have told them to shoot me if they see me.
People owe me favors, bad people. Being the son of Xavier Blackwood has its perks, but to get them to go against him? Unlikely.
I hum a tune I’m unfamiliar with, as I rack my brain to figure out who to call. I need someone who isn’t afraid of my father, maybe someone who would do it for money. I have Wolfe, a friend of mine who is hell bent on tearing the trafficking world apart after what happened with Molly, Jagger’s girl. But theproblem is, he would find out that I’ve known about this for years and did nothing.
Coward.
But Luella needs me. I failed to protect her; by acting like an obsessive prick, I drove her away. The thought of Luella in danger, possibly at the mercy of my father, makes my stomach churn. I can’t let her face that monster alone. I know what he’s capable of, the horrors he inflicts on people. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, and the thought of Luella enduring that makes me want to tear the world apart.
I need to find someone who can help, someone who isn’t afraid of my father’s influence. The list is short, but there’s one name that stands out: Jasper. He’s a former soldier turned gun for hire. He’s worked with my father before, but his loyalty is to the highest bidder. I’ve seen him in action, and he’s as ruthless as they come. If anyone can help me storm the fortress that is Blackwood Manor, it’s him.
I dial his number, the phone ringing ominously in the silent car. He answers on the third ring, his voice gruff and alert despite the late hour.
“Colton Blackwood,” he says, a hint of surprise in his tone. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I need your help,” I respond, cutting straight to the point. “I need a a team, and I need it now.”
There’s a pause, a rustling sound as if he’s sitting up in bed. “What’s the target?”
I take a deep breath, my grip tightening on the wheel. “Blackwood Manor.”
Another pause, longer this time. “You’re serious?”
“Deadly,” I reply, my voice like ice. “My father has someone. I need to get her out.”
Jasper chuckles, a low, menacing sound. “You’re hiring me to go against your old man? This just got interesting.”
“I’ll pay you double your usual rate,” I state, knowing money talks with him. “But I need you to move now. Tonight.”
“Double, huh?” he muses, and I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. “Alright, Blackwood. You’ve got yourself a deal. But I want half upfront, and the rest when the job’s done.”
“Done,” I agree, relief washing over me. “Meet me at the old mill outside of town. Bring as many men as you can, and make sure they’re well-armed. We’re going up against a small army.”
