"When can we see her?" I ask.
"Not until she stabilizes," the doc says. "But we'll be moving her to a private room and you'll be able to see her through the glass. But you need to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Emilian furrows his brows.
"Because of Miss Oakes' critical condition..." The doctor shifts his weight, obviously wary of our reaction. "We've had to put Miss Oakes in a medically induced coma."
"What?" I hiss.
"It's for her own good," the doctor follows up. "This way, she's the safest. And we'll be waking her up in three days. Hopefully she'll be stable by then. We have her on blood transfusions now. She's lost a lot of it."
"Fuck," I mutter, fighting the urge to slam my fist into the wall. Again.
"I'll keep you posted with any kind of information," the doc adds, hesitating before he speaks up again. "Regarding the baby... I have no reason to believe it's been harmed during the birth."
"Good," Emilian nods gravely. "We're doing everything in our power to bring the baby back home."
The doctor nods. "You should. Miss Oakes will be distressed when she wakes up. Seeing her child back safely in her arms would help."
He leaves us standing there. I can't even move. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I want Pandora here, to console her. But she's in a deep slumber just like Sleeping Beauty. It's up to me now to save our family.
"I need to stay here," I mutter. "I can't leave her. But I need you doing everything you can to get that baby back."
Emilian nods. "I'll put some more men on it. The police are looking for Lily Anna, too. They know she killed Lai now."
"Fucking finally," I mutter. "Nobody believed me. Nobody."
"Maybe you shouldn't have kept so many secrets," Emilian hisses, but I've had enough.
I've got him backed up against a wall the next moment, grabbing the front of his shirt as I snarl in his face, "You don't get to lecture me, old man. I did what I had to do to save Lily Anna from you, you fucking monster."
He pales and does not object. He knows what he did. He knows his obsession with Lily Anna was unhealthy. Despite all the atrocities she's done, she wasn't at fault for Oakes' sick obsession with her.
"Find her," I hiss. "Or else."
He stumbles when I let him go, clearing his throat and fixing his tie. Without saying another word or looking at me again, he leaves the hospital. For his sake, I hope he's getting more help to find Lily Anna. We have to find her. We can't leave the baby with her. She's dangerous. I wouldn't put it past her to kill an innocent child.
I return to my seat in front of the operating theater and patiently wait until one of the nurses informs me they've moved Pandora into the glass-walled room.
I'm finally allowed to see her then, but nothing could prepare me for the sight.
She looks so different than she did just a few hours ago. Pandora's body is tiny and frail despite having just given birth. There are tubes coming out of her nose and mouth, and her skin is ghostly pale and bruised where they've stuck the tubes in. I vow again to make Lily Anna pay for this.
She fucked with my family.
She fucked with my friends.
She fucked with my future.
And now she's fucked with my favorite toy, and I'm not letting her get away with it. She's going to fucking pay, and I want to be the one to bring her to justice. I can't fucking wait to punish her for her crimes. She deserves every bad thing that's coming to her, hopefully sooner rather than later.
For the next few days, I'm in and out of the hospital. I only leave to go home and shower and change clothes once a day. I'm even getting used to the shitty cafeteria food in the hospital, because I refuse to leave Pandora's side. The guys have been coming over to keep me company. I'll never forget their expressions when they saw Pandora for the first time after all the shit that went down.
They were fucking shocked. Shocked that the girl we all once cared about, Lily Anna, is capable of leaving another human in a condition like Pandora's. But it only serves to bring us closer together. Now we are determined—to find Lily Anna, to punish her for what she's done.
On the thirdday in the hospital, the doctors decide Pandora has recovered from her injuries enough that they can bring her out of her coma. I sit by her bed when it happens, holding her small, frail white hand in mine. Her fingers are so tiny. She has never looked more vulnerable.
When my toy's eyes open, they connect with mine first. She stares deep into my soul with that glare, and before I can even ask, the question shoots out.
"Where is he? Where is my baby?"
I squeeze her palm to reassure her, but she soon realizes I don't have any good news for her. I don't know where Lily Anna and the baby are, and as soon as she realizes the truth of the matter, Pandora begins to wail. It takes two nurses to calm her down and they inject her with a sedative, saying she's getting overly worked-up. I want to slap them in the fucking face. Tell them she has every reason to be upset. I know they mean well, but I'm teetering on the edge of my sanity. One wrong move and I'm going to fall.
When she wakes up hours later, she's much calmer. I walk into the room but she won't look at me. Sitting by her side, I try to take her hand in mine, but she snatches it away. It fucking hurts like needles being plunged into my heart but I force myself not to say anything about it. I can't hurt Pandora even more. I need to be strong now, for the both of us.
"We'll find them," I say lamely, but she merely scoffs in response.
"They could be anywhere, Dexter."
"And wherever they are, we're bringing them back."
She shakes her head. A part of me breaks seeing she's already lost hope, but I try not to show it.
"And until we do find them, I'm right here," I manage, but she just manages a sad smile.
"I can't even look at you right now," she whispers, and once again, the needles dig into me, deep. "You should've gone after them, Dexter. You should've brought my baby back."
"Our baby," I mutter.
Now she looks at me, her gaze ice cold. "You don't know that."
"I know that-"
"It doesn't matter," she snaps. "The only thing that's for certain is that it's my baby. And I want him back. I'll never forgive you if you don't find him."
I nod, trying to control my temper and emotions so I don't lose it in front of Pandora.
"What did you name him?"
The question slips from my lips before I can stop myself. Once again, Pandora's eyes burn when they meet mine.
"Reign," she finally answers, her voice breaking over the simple word.
I nod, getting up abruptly from my seat and walking out of the room. I can't let Pandora see me vulnerable. I have to be strong, like I've always been. I have to be the man she needs me to be.
And I fucking have to find Lily Anna and my son.
Because whatever the fuck Pandora says, he is my son.
Chapter Thirteen
Pandora
I can't even look at Dexter.
He's been acting differently. Apologetic, almost. He brought me back to Booth Manor a week after I first arrived in the hospital, but it's almost worse in this huge, empty house than it had been in my private room. Even with the stench of medicine and antiseptic, it was better than this. Knowing all the secrets I know now, I can't get the thought of Alli—Lily Anna—out of my head.
The thought that she still has my son makes me sick. I've seen firsthand what the girl is capable of, and I know enough to be sure my son isn't safe in her hands.
But there's nothing we can do. Father is already spending a fortune on PIs to look for them, but it's like they disappeared without a trace. Weeks have passed. Pandora has healed from her surgery, but the fact that we don’t have our son back is weighing on her heavily.
On good days, I think Reign will get the care he needs. That Lily Anna wouldn't be so heartless to hurt an innocent baby.
On the bad days, I remember her manic laughter, her cruel wo
rds, and I wonder whether she's killed him yet.
My Reign is nothing but a pawn to that woman. And I know sooner or later she'll use him to her advantage. If we're lucky, that's when we're going to catch her.
"I brought you some tea."
I don't even look away from the window as Dex sets a steaming cup on a marble coaster on the nightstand. I don't answer him, but I still feel his lingering presence. He's waiting for something, eager for some words of encouragement, perhaps for me to tell him things aren't quite so bad. That we'll make it through this. But will we?
"Take a sip of tea," Dex goes on. "It's chamomile. Good for anxiety."
"Fuck that," I mutter.
"Pandora." His tone is stricter now. "It'll help."
"Help? You think it will help?" I snarl at him, throwing the duvet covers back. My maternity belly is gone now, but it only hurts more to see that, knowing I never got the gift of motherhood, not without my son.
"Pandora," Dex speaks in calming, soft tones. "I'm just trying to help."
"And yet you haven't helped at all," I hiss. "The baby's not here, is he? And Lily Anna is not in jail where she belongs."
"We're working on that."
"Not very successfully." I know I'm being snarky, but I can't help it. I'm sick and tired of this hopeless, fruitless search for my son. I'm sick of everything.
"Damn it, Pandora," Dex grunts. "I'm doing my fucking best here, what more do you want?"
"I want my baby back!" I grab the mug of tea off the nightstand in a fit of rage and toss it at the wall. Steaming liquid sloshes all over the wall and the mug breaks into pieces when it hits the floor. We both stare in disbelief at what I've just done. I would never act this way with Dexter before. I wouldn't dare. But he won't do anything about it now. He just wants to protect me... or does he?
With two quick steps he reaches me, climbs on the bed and cages my body beneath his.
"I've had enough of you, you fucking brat," he hisses. His breath is cold and minty against my cheek and I struggle beneath him, trying to get away. "You think you can act this way and not get punished?"
"But I-"
He interrupts me with a slap on my right cheek. I'm so shocked I can't even respond, so I just stare at him in disbelief.
"Shut up," he demands. "Shut up already, and get ahold of yourself, Pandora. If you don't, I'll do it for you."
He pulls the duvet covers off me and suddenly I'm exposed in nothing but a flimsy nightie. But that's not enough for my bully. He pulls the short dress up, revealing my body, and I squeal in protest. I feel vulnerable, ugly. I don't want him looking at me like this. I'm useless now. I can't even fuck him, not with the pain I've been experiencing every day, both in my mind and in my body.
"Don't look at me," I attempt to scream, but it comes out as a sob. I realize I'm moments away from crying again, and I feel shame burning my cheeks, reddening them. "Please don't look at me, Dex..."
"Why wouldn't I?" He grabs my hands by the wrists and holds them above my head. "I can look at you all I want... You're my property, aren't you?"
I don't answer, and I stop struggling too, quickly realizing he's too strong for me. I refuse to answer him. I'm not giving into Dexter Booth's demands ever again.
But my body betrays me. I'm trembling, and I know he'll notice soon enough. My center is flooding with eager neediness, but I can't let Dexter notice it. I have to hide it at all costs. He's only going to use it to his advantage if he does notice, and I'm not ready for this, not ready to give him more.
"You've been a little nightmare, Pandora," he tells me calmly. "I know you're hurting, toy. But don't you think I'm hurting too? I lost so much. Lily Anna killed my parents. My best friend. And now she took someone else. Why won't you let me mourn with you?"
"We shouldn't be mourning," I hiss, unable to stop myself. "We should be bringing Reign home. Doing everything in our power to get him back."
"Don't you think I'm doing that already?" His forehead creases as he prevents me from moving. "God, you're being a little nightmare, toy. All I've done is try to make you better. Why won't you get better for me?"
Something about that simple question resonates with me. My body shakes, my lips trembling as I whisper, "I can't. I don't know how."
"Then let me show you," Dex grunts. "Let me teach you... I can make you better, Pandora. You just have to let me..."
I become helpless then. My body stops resisting, lying there uselessly as he begins to kiss a line down my neck. His fingers grab onto the fabric of my nightie, and with a strong rip, he splits it down the middle, exposing my naked body.
"Look how beautiful you are," he mutters. "My toy..."
I close my eyes tightly, telling myself I'm not enjoying what he's doing to me. But it's a lie, and we both know it. My body shakes beneath his and I realize I'm eager for more of his cruel touch. But I'd never admit it to Dexter. I can't let him in on my weaknesses. I need to keep up pretenses.
But with the way he's kissing me, it quickly becomes apparent that's going to be near impossible to do.
"Please," I whisper when he kisses my belly. It feels amazing, but the loss of Reign is still fresh on my mind. I feel like I have no right to enjoy this.
"What do you want, pretty toy?" Dex mutters in my ear. "You want me to keep kissing you?"
I shut my eyes tightly and find myself nodding. Yes, I want it. I want everything and anything that will get my mind off my awful reality. The mess that is my life.
He moves his mouth over my abdomen to my exposed center. His lips linger over my hip bone, carefully, slowly kissing a line over my pussy. I haven't shaved in ages, and my pussy is covered in silky, light brown hairs. But he pays it no mind. He continues kissing me. It feels as if he's making love to me with his mouth. I don't know Dexter Booth like this. Gentle, almost sweet. I don't think he does, either.
"Please, Dex," I whisper. "Make me feel better. I want to feel better."
My hands find their way into his hair and I tangle my fingers in the dark strands, holding him where I need him most. Dex takes the hint. He's incredibly gentle, careful like I've never known him to be. He kisses my pussy in frustraing circles, never quite reaching my sex that buzzes with expectation. I want so much more, but I let him pick the pace, let him decide how much I can have and when.
When his lips finally wrap around my clit, I'm a moment away from having an orgasm. I haven't had one in months. The one I forced out of my body when I was staying with Mother, thinking about Dex, barely counts now that I have the real thing. I want to cry, because I realize then this is what I want. Dexter Booth is the one for me. No matter how cruel, twisted and evil he can be, this is what I need, what I crave. I want him to have control of me as much as I want to fight him for it.
And with that realization, I give in to him. I buck my hips and he buries his face between my legs, expertly licking, flicking, teasing me until I'm a moaning, desperate little mess. I want nothing more than to come, but I force myself not to beg for it. To go at Dex's pace and allow him to decide when I get it.
"You taste so fucking good," he mutters from between my legs. "My toy... Fucking mine. Say it."
"Yours." The word falls from my lips easily, committing my body and soul to my bully. I'm finally at the point where I've accepted it. Dexter Booth is my Master. What a cruel twist of fate this is.
Despite my eagerness to give up control, I'm getting closer and closer to the edge, and I know I'm going to start begging for a release soon. I can't stop myself. I just want some relief, a moment to forget about the mess that is my life.
"Please," I whisper. "Please, Dex, let me have it."
"You want to come?" he grunts against my body, licking me with agonizingly slow motions. "Tell me you want to come, toy."
"Please, Dexter, I've waited for so long... Don't I deserve it? Please!"
"What you deserve is to be teased and brought to the edge over and over again," he mutters. He spreads my pussy open with his fingers and I moa
n when the cool air hits my exposed center. He's barely even touching me and I'm so close already. How fucking embarrassing. "I wonder if you can come like this, toy..."
"No," I beg. "Please, I need more."
I struggle beneath him but it's useless. He's too strong. The only way I'll have an orgasm now is if he decides to give it to me.
"I can't fuck you," he muses. "You're too sensitive from the operation. I'll just have to think of something else."
He flicks my clit and I cry out, making him laugh as I dissolve into a myriad of pleases.
"Please," I cry out again. "Don't torture me, Dex! Let me have it..."
"I wonder how close you are. How little I'd have to do to make you break..." He gets up from the bed and I cry out in protest, but he ignores me. He grabs an unused makeup brush from my vanity and returns, and my eyes widen when he begins to run the soft bristles over my pussy.
It's torture.
Absolute torture.
And I fucking love it.
It doesn't take long for me to start begging again, and Dex continues his torturous treatment, brushing me excruciatingly slowly and stopping the moment I get too close.
He seems to sense I won't be able to take it for much longer though, and he hesitates for a moment, brush poised above my clit.
"Beg me," he says. It's an order, not a question, and I swallow thickly, allowing my inner slut to come out as I begin to plead for a release I didn't even know I wanted.
"Please, Dexter." My voice is small and frail. It's so embarrassing, and yet my neediness won't allow me to feel embarrassed. I'm too close for that. "Please, just one, please, I need it so bad... Let your toy come, Dex, please, I'll do anything."
"Anything?" he repeats, brushing my clit in circles that make my eyes roll back. "You'll even try to be happy for me?"
"Anything," I repeat desperately. "Anything, Dex, please!"
"Swear," he grunts.
"I swear!" I'm practically screaming now, painfully close to an orgasm and unable to resist my desperation anymore. "Please, Dex, I swear, let me, let me, let me!"
A Hurt So Sweet: Complete Dark Bully Romance Series Box Set: Elite of Eden Falls Prep Page 55
