talk business.”
Darren’s hand then wrapped around my hair and gave it a slight slow tug. “Sure,
why not,” he finally said and released me.
“Kayla.” Matt nodded to her. She gracefully rose to her feet and stood just ahead
of where I was still sitting, waiting for me.
“Go,” Darren said, nudging me upward. I stood and took a single step before
Darren stopped me. He pulled out his phone, pressed some buttons, and then put it
away. “Okay, a hundred feet, Jaden. Understand?”
“Yes, Darren,” I said and headed off with Kayla, excitement jittering in my
nerves with every step, even as Clive and Owen moved to follow us.
When we were finally out the door and partially sheltered from Darren and
Matt’s eyes, Kayla and I embraced each other in a long tight hug, tears coming
down our faces like a much-needed rainstorm. My heart felt like it was going to
explode with relief, knowing she was right there in front of me, breathing and
whole, and that I hadn’t lost her. A small piece of hope found its way into the
crevices of my cracked heart.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” Kayla mumbled, her voice strained as she
rested her chin against my shoulder, her arms still wrapped tightly around me.
“I told you I’d find you, didn’t I?” I said, my voice becoming optimistic.
We pulled away to examine the other, our eyes both searching for signs of
distress or physical harm.
“Are you okay? Has he hurt you?” I asked her.
Kayla responded with another sad smile. “I’m … I’m okay,” she said hesitantly.
“I’m just so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. I pushed Darren for your whereabouts months ago, but he refused to
share anything.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not surprised. I am surprised either of them
allowed this, though,” she said, gesturing between the two of us.
“Well, we should make the best of it while we still can,” I said, slinging my arm
over her shoulder and ushering her to the edge of the wooden porch and away from
the listening ears of my bodyguards. We sat down on the steps of the porch and
huddled close, leaning against the other for more than just physical support.
“How are you? Really?” I asked her.
“I’m … I’m fine. Really. I just try to take things one day at a time, try to keep
him as happy as I can.”
“So he does hurt you …” I accused.
She pursed her lips together and turned away. “Only if I don’t listen to him. But
… I’m getting better at it. I’m just glad to be alive.”
“Me too,” I said, pressing my lips together and turning my eyes to the sky. The
sun was beginning to set, spreading warm neon colors across the clouds.
“So he purchased you, huh? Saved the best for last?” Kayla asked, her voice
turning light.
“Yeah, I won Murphy’s lottery that day.”
“I’m not surprised,” she added. “I had a feeling it would be him.”
“Yeah, so much for getting the old fuck I was hoping I could kill and escape
from.”
“You don’t think that’s possible with him?”
I bit my lip, wondering how much I should divulge.
“This one is a tough safe to crack,” I said with a sigh. “It’s going to take more
than I’m capable of.”
Kayla bowed her with a nod, a sadness taking her over. I knew I was her last hope
in this. If I couldn’t escape Darren, then she likely didn’t have high chances of
escaping her fate with Rainer.
“I escaped him once,” I admitted softly, looking toward the clouds. “Started a
fire outside of my bedroom window as a distraction and took off on one of his
motorcycles while he was out of town.”
Kayla’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, Jaden! That’s incredible! I knew you were a
badass. But … obviously, it didn’t go so well.”
“No, not really. This thing has a GPS tracker in it so he can always find me,” I
said, gesturing to the collar around my throat. “Not to mention it’s a fucking shock
collar.”
“What a sadistic bastard,” she said angrily. “How did you bypass that?”
“Rubber shoe sole around my neck,” I said with a small laugh.
“Ha, good thinking.”
“I don’t see any restriction around your throat. That’s good,” I commented.
She shook her head. “I don’t give Matt much trouble, and he has eyes
everywhere. Plus, you’re not the only one with a tracker. I’ve got a GPS chip in my
skin, too.”
“Gotta keep track of your merchandise,” I said sarcastically.
“Yeah, I guess,” she said with a smile.
“So what’s he like? What do you know about him?”
Kayla took a deep breath before releasing it through her nose.
“He does business with weapons. That’s about all I know. He’s gone a lot
because of it, which is nice. I feel like I can finally breathe then, so it’s
