Page 116 of Captive Bride

Tristan

I’m in a steel cage. I can’t get out.

I have to get to her. It’s all I can think about.

Sitting behind bars is an absolute nightmare when the love of your life is out there. Isobel’s out on her own, and I’m in here, all because of the fucking Governor and Isobel’s father. The battle lines have truly been drawn now, and I vow that when I get out, I’ll kill every last one of them.

My mind is wracked with guilt about Isobel.

Is she okay? Is she frightened? Is she back in the hands of her father?

I feel so fucking helpless sitting in my steel cage, and it’s the worst feeling. I have somebody else to take care of for once in my life. And that’s my top priority.

I pace the cell like a tiger, stalking back and forth, just waiting for action or news.

I know I won’t be locked up for long. I have too many guys out there working for me for that.

But this has been a delay, for sure.

And I’m not sure where Isobel is and if she’s okay.

That’s the worst part. Waiting.

Just as I’m starting to really get fed up, the cop comes over to me and he unlocks the cell.

“You posted bail,” he says.

I go through the process of getting out and see Benny waiting for me.

Of course, it was Benny. I should’ve known he’d be there to pick me up as soon as possible. He’s always one step ahead.

“Thanks, man,” I tell him. “We have to get to her.”

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine. But I have to find Isobel. I don’t know what happened to her after we left the cathedral.”

We get into the limousine, and I tell the driver to hurry. We race down the streets of the city, and soon, the cathedral’s in view.

I take a deep breath. I know she has to still be there.

I jump out of the moving car before it even stops. Racing up the steps of the cathedral, all I can think of is seeing her beautiful face. I walk right into a scene of Capulets mourning.

What the fuck?

Everyone’s dressed in black. Candles and flowers are everywhere.

Benny comes in, and he holds me back.

“Don’t go in there, Tristan. It’ll be a bloodbath if they see you,” he says.

I’m looking around the room, just trying to figure out what’s going on. And then I see it. I look up at the altar, and there’s my beautiful angel lying in a casket, dead.

My heart starts racing a mile a minute. I think I must be in a bad dream.

That can’t be her.

She can’t be fucking dead.

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