Page 82 of A Game of Secrets

I whimper slightly, trying to free myself from his grip but it only tightens the more that I struggle. With one hand still firmly around my throat, Vinny yanks me round so my back is pressed hard against his chest and as I fight for breath beneath my crushed windpipe. My eyes catch the glint of the blade he’s pulled out of his belt as he wields it before me, taunting me with its sharp point.

“Let’s have a little fun first for old times sake, huh?” He whispers into my ear before gripping my chin and angling my face as he trails his tongue from my neck up along my jaw to earlobe. “I think you need to be put back in your place Mrs Holland.” His bite on my ear almost has me screaming out in pain, but the blade pressed against my throat has me stifling the sounds before they have a chance to escape. I close my eyes, praying to every God out there that Teddy has made it clear of the warehouse grounds already and that he doesn’t stop running until he reaches somebody to come and help. “Have you missed me, my beloved wife?” Vinny mocks into my ear as he drags the tip of the knife down the length of my body pressing harder as he drags it over my breasts, shredding straight through my T-shirt. He doesn’t stop as he trails the blade further down pushing the pointed end into my crotch. I wince at the pain as it shoots through my core, pulling my hips backward as an instinct reaction straight into his crotch. I hear his satisfactory hum low in my ear and he groans. “Oh how I’ve missed the feel of this ass pushed against my cock.”

“Don’t touch me,” I hiss through gritted teeth, trying to push him away as his hand releases my throat and begins its assault on my breasts, pulling and tugging roughly at my bra, scratching his nails across my flesh.

“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want, you stupid whore. Do you think I will let my wife get fucked by three other men and not retake what is rightfully mine?“ His words are filled with venom and unsaid promises of hurt. Filling every fiber of my being with anger, boiling the blood deep in my veins.

“You have no right!” I object, slamming my foot onto his. He jumps back in shock, swearing under his breath. I take advantage of his state of shock and twist my body, shoving him as hard as I can to break free from his grip. As I twist I feel the sharp edge of his blade slice through my shoulder causing me to cry out in pain.

“You stupid fucking bitch!” he roars behind me but I run, kicking up my heels as quick as I can. I make it halfway across the room but I’m no match, he is faster and stronger and has gained on me within seconds. His paw-like hands fasten around my waist, pulling me from my feet. I won’t go down this easy though. I need to fight, not just for myself but for my boy too. He needs to know his mother is a fighter. I scream and wail, kicking my legs back to try and catch and hinder his attack but he only lifts me higher.

“The more you fight, the harder I’ll make this for you,” he grunts, throwing me to the floor. I smart as my knees connect with concrete, sinking my teeth into my lower lip knowing it’ll only please him more to know how much that hurts. I snap my head back in his direction, he’s no longer wielding the knife but his fists are tight at his sides, he’s ready for my next strike, I know it.

“I will never let you take my son.” I spit but the grin that pulls at his lips has my stomach in knots.

“You don’t get it do you, you stupid slut?” His taunting laugh makes me want to throw up. “You have no say in this anymore Lucille, he is my son. He will grow up with no memory of you. You pathetic bitch. He’s already being taken care of.”

Just as his last words filter through, a spur of rage lights in my belly. “No!” I scream, scrambling to my feet. His fist connects with my face and I’m back on the floor before I even register what’s happening. The searing pain across my face burns as I bring my hand up to assess the damage. Blood coats my fingers as I pull my hand away and I grimace at the sight.

“Not this time,” he whispers, bending down to my face and gripping my chin between his fingers. “It’s a shame to mark such a pretty face so I suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut.”

“Fuck you,” I hiss, my spit hitting him in the eye. I watch as his demeanor changes instantly, the blacks of his eyes bleed out to his irises and I really am staring at the devil. I try to pull away but his face hardens as does his hold on me.

“Don’t you think you can fucking spit at me you dirty whore,” he growls at me. He stands up to his full height and pins me to the floor with his boot.

“Get off me!” I scream. “Get the fuck off me!” Scrambling my hands around his size 12 boots with little success in budging it from my hip. I can’t stop his movements as he unhooks his belt and unbuttons his pants. My blood runs cold. He’s going to rape me again. The look in his eyes tells me everything and I scream, it doesn’t even sound human anymore as I tear apart my vocal chords in the hope that somebody will hear me.

As if the gods above have answered me, I hear them. My knights in their all black, assassin-looking armor, ready to defend me to the death. I watch the look in their eyes as they take in the scene before them. Silas has his eyes on mine and he looks like he could kill. Suddenly I’m ripped up to standing by my hair and Vinny once again has his blade harsh against my throat. I know my whimpering only makes this all the more fun for him, I can feel his erection through his pants, pressing against my backside but in that very moment I’m transported back five years to when I lay broken and bleeding on our bedroom floor. I lock up, I freeze. My fight or flight response truly fucked and I zone out of whatever is being said around me between the man I used to love and the men who will be my salvation, only one is missing. Where is my Cole? Where is my son? God I only hope they are together and safe somewhere. My thoughts are quickly broken by loud gunshots outside. Teddy!

“Let me go, Teddy could’ve been shot. Let me go please Vinny!” I beg, my screams are completely inhuman now. I struggle between his arms and bring my elbow back into his stomach but this only pisses him off more, he slaps me hard across the face and the connection knocks me back to the floor. I blink back the tears that threaten to spill but the atmosphere around us has already shifted, loud grunts sound from behind me and I shift myself around to watch as Silas and Vinny go blow to blow on the warehouse floor. Linc has kneeled beside me and wrapped a jacket around my shoulders as he whispers comforting words into my ear while I watch Silas snuff the life out of the person I thought was my everything but turned into someone I thought I’d never be rid of. I cry hysterically, gasping breaths as I come to terms with what is happening but I can only allow myself this one moment, I must find my boy. I breathe in deeply, swallowing my emotions.

“Teddy, he ran out of here, we have to find him, I told him to run.” Silas, now covered in blood, gently lifts me into his arms and I know he’s doing his best not to hurt me, but another round of gunfire has his footsteps faltering. TEDDY! I leap from the safety of his arms and tear through the warehouse doors. The light from the outside burns straight through my corneas, but when I focus on the sight before me, my stomach bottoms out and I do everything in my power not to throw up. “Cole!” I scream, taking in his debilitated state. “COLE!” I’ve reached him now, the blood pooling around him like something out of a horror movie, there’s no way he will survive this. I pull his head gently into my lap as fresh tears begin to fall, his eyes don’t even register me as he tries to mumble garbled words that are barely more than a whisper.

“Costello’s,” he chokes before falling limp in my arms.

My breathing hitches and the panic sets in. What does he mean? Did he say the Costello’s have taken my boy? I need to know and he is the only one who can give me the answers.

“Don’t you leave me, Cole.” I scream, stroking every inch of his hair and face that isn’t already plastered in blood. “Please don’t you leave me.”

To be continued…….

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