Page 52 of Voracious

“Mr Mitchell was spotted coming off a jet this morning at Edinburgh Airport. He’s standing with Cassie Sawyer – the daughter.”

“Why wouldn’t I like that news? Isn’t it good that he’s back in Scotland?”

He hesitates, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so worried. “I managed to access a file on her database undetected. Kade wasn’t doing his usual work in France. He was tortured so badly that his sanity was reported to be questionable, and it was recommended he be allowed to rest.”

I blanch. “Oh.” I gulp. “Is he… okay?”

Barry hums. “He’s quite resilient to their torture methods. He’s gone through worse, but I’m concerned. It says on the file that he may struggle, especially with having ASPD. He’ll most likely experience dream-reality confusion.”

“What can we do to help him?”

“He’ll reach out soon, and I guess we’ll see. I need to go home for a bit, as Lisa’s due any day now, but I have on extra security. Will you feel safe enough?”

I try to smile. “You’re about to have a baby, Barry. Don’t worry about me. Go home to Lisa and have some time off. You deserve it. Chris is nowhere near us, and even if he was, he has no chance of getting past the manor’s security.”

“Did you think some more about what I said?”

I shrug. “Yeah, but Kade might need me.”

“Miss Rhodes, Kade isn’t going to have his freedom anytime soon. He’ll get a few days off and then he’ll leave again. Him needing you is dangerous for you both.”

I nod, because I think he’s right, even though I wish he wasn’t.

17

KADE

Ineed to see her. I need to hear her voice. I need to touch her skin.

I need to know this is real, thatIam real.

Her hair is dark. Her lips are pink. Her freckles cluster over her skin. She has tattoos that I drew for her when I was a teenager.

She is… She is…

What was I talking about again?

There’s someone beneath me. I can’t see the person’s face. Their hands are lifting to my hair and tugging at the strands. “I missed you,” the voice says. “I missed you. I missed you. I missed you.”

Stacey? Is that you? I miss you too.

There’s a jolt, and the person vanishes, pain wracks my body, and I’m thrown backwards. The darkness of the room spins somehow, and it feels like all my nerves are being stuck with needles, my teeth gritting so hard, I’m surprised none have cracked.

Then it all stops, and someone grabs my face.

“Is he still alive?”

“Yes, ma’am, just weak. I suggest we put a halt to this method. If we force any more electricity into him, his heart might stop. He’s already had two seizures. I fear for his mental state.”

“Mum, please, stop,” I hear Cassie cry. “You’re going to kill him!”

That’s fine. Let me die. I’m not too fond of your fucking company.

“Not until he agrees to marry you.”

A deep voice interrupts. “This young man won’t be in any state to marry someone if we keep going. What you’re making me do is a crime!”

Archie laughs. “The little prick killed my right-hand man. He decapitated him. My fuckingfriend. More, or I’ll put a bullet in your skull and do it myself.”

---