by C. Lymari
I didn’t know what was worse: to die at the hands of Silas or beg Ren for redemption after what I did to him. Betrayal cut deep, and I was past begging any man to let me live.
He stood on the other side of the door, a dark grin on his face. He was the Ren I remembered, yet there was something that was off, and he didn’t look like my Ren. Not that he was ever mine, but he looked sharper. Maybe it was the fact that he no longer sported his beard. His face was smooth, exposing a strong jaw. I dug my fingers into the doorframe to stop myself from reaching over and feeling his skin.
I took a deep breath.
I remembered the last words he’d said to me. I heard them on my lonely nights, knowing that if Silas didn’t finish me off, Ren would.
“Did you think you could hide from me?” His smoky tone fogged my brain, and I remembered how it felt as I lost a part of myself in him.
Right now, I had no time for him and his vendetta. Without saying a word, I went past him, hoping he wouldn’t cause a scene at the cafe. He let me go, but I felt him at my back.
My eyes scanned the shop to see if any newcomers had arrived. I looked at the clock, and it was five past five. As soon as I got to the table, I was trying to think of my next move when Ren stopped right behind me. I could feel his breath in my ear, my back heating with his proximity.
Chills went down my spine as he went to move my hair out of the way. His lips moved against my ear, and then he made my world shake.
“Tell me, princess, are you ready to get dirty and lie in blood?”
I turned around, facing his chest. My eyes slowly trailed up as I remembered the conversation we’d had months ago.
He’d shed the lambskin he wore, and I saw him for what he truly was: a predator, and I was his prey. A prey that came willingly and blindly to him. What I saw of him was only what he allowed, a fraction of the man he was. The edge was still there, but now it was lethal.
I pushed him off me and ran out of the shop. This was not happening. He’d lied to me, used me, and betrayed me.
I was heaving by the time I rounded the corner into an alley.
How?
Why?
This wasn’t happening!
Something was wrong. This had to be some sort of sick joke.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Ren asked as he grabbed my arm to spin me around so I could face him.
“Y-y-you lied to me,” I whispered.
A slow grin spread through his face. It didn’t make me feel better because it was sinister. Just because the devil smiled, it didn’t mean he’d have mercy. If anything I should be more afraid.
“I did not lie,” he smirked at me as he got closer. “I told you who I was.”
“You’re him,” I said, hoping he would lie to me. To tell me he and the hitman I’d tried to hire were not one and the same.
He didn’t say anything; instead, he struck so fast before I could move. His hand came to my throat, and he pinned me to the wall. The pressure suffocated me, but Ren had no mercy.
“You had me arrested,” he spat at me.
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but I found it hard to speak. What would I say even if I could? I’d stood back while Silas accused him of raping me. I said I was sorry and gave him his scalpel. If anything, I gave him a chance to fight back.
Ren pressed closer, and I could feel his erection digging into my stomach. He wanted me—and I still wanted him. For the last year, I tried not to think about our night in the maze. I tried not to think about his hands on my skin and how his touch would numb my pain, set back my self-loathing. He would make my shitty world a little more bearable.
“I-I d-d-idn’t,” I managed to choke out. I brought my eyes to meet his icy ones and my hands to his arms, trying to pry him away from me.
“All you’ve done is lie, Ember, but you’re going to pay for it.”
“L-i-ike y-y-ou l-i-ied t-to me.”
He pressed closer to me, leaving no room to run.
“I should kill you for what you did.”
His voice was like a sweet poison that I wanted to drink every last drop of. His hold on my neck loosened, allowing me more room to breathe. The air felt like lava down my throat.
“Maybe in death, I’ll find peace,” I whispered.
Something in his eyes shifted, and he removed his hands from my neck completely. Instead, he cupped my cheek with his thumb. He removed a tear that had sprung free.
“Who did you want to kill?” He asked the one question I wasn’t ready to answer.
I looked down at the floor because I felt so much shame at that moment. It didn’t matter who I was or where I came from. I…I should just leave and get myself killed. It would be better—at least that way I’d be free.
“This was a mistake,” I said as I pushed him away.
All my life, I’d been alone, not able to trust anyone I didn’t know why I thought I could change my outcome. Life was a game you played, or you got played, and I had lost time and time again.
Ren let out a laugh before he pulled me back. “Now, where do you think you’re going?”
“Let. Me. Go.”
“Who do you want dead?” he stressed.
I looked at him and wondered what would happen if I told him the truth.
“Is it Mattias?”
“What?”
“Because he won’t give you your trust fund.”
I gave a humorless chuckle. “How well you have me figured out.”
“Let’s go. I have plans for you.”
I let him lead me without saying more. I was scared that if I told him the truth, he would still look at me with disgust. It was easier to let him think about what he wanted. I didn’t know where we were walking or why I hadn’t run away, yet I just kept telling myself that anything Ren did to me couldn’t be as vile as what I suffered at Silas’s hands. Knowing Dr. Wozniak was a decent guy and was taking care of my father made me feel better.
Ren made a move to cross the street, but before we did, he grabbed the cash from my purse, pocketed it, and then threw my purse away. I gritted my teeth and said nothing. The disposable phone felt heavy in my back pocket. As far as a weapon against him, it was a damn good one. I just had to find the perfect moment to use it—or so I told myself.
When we crossed the street, the parade was dying down, but there were still people dressed as Catrinas and holding candles, mourning their lost ones. I wondered if Gio and his men were still in the area and if I should mention it to Ren.
Before we could walk very far, he threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me into his body. He was rock solid but warm, which made no sense, but it was comforting.
“You can’t run away now, princess.” He kept spitting that nickname, like it was lead on his tongue.
We made our way across the parade grounds with Ren holding me, and we blended in with the dusk. It didn’t take long for me to start shivering. My body was cold, but the withdrawals had already begun, each wave stronger than the next, making me seek out comfort in Ren’s arms.
The moment I pressed closer, he stiffened for a second. I kept looking straight as I felt his gaze on me. We took a few more steps before he abruptly stopped, removed his jacket, and put it on me. I looked anywhere but at him. As soon as he found out I was going through withdrawals, all that rage would be mixed with disgust, and I didn’t think I could handle seeing disgust on anyone other than myself.
Ren stopped holding me to his body; instead, he grabbed my hand and led me to wherever it was he was taking me. I always believed love was a weapon that could be used against you, and right now, looking down at Ren’s hand and mine, it made me pity myself for a second because I would never know the feeling. Not from any man, nor family member—no one had loved me, and pretty soon no one would remember me. There was already an immortal Ember; the world didn’t need two.
With my fate in Ren’s hands, I followed him because I was tired of being the one to mess up my life. Action has consequences, and I
had a string of bad decisions catching up to me.
I followed Ren Falcon, giving him the power to destroy me. I wasn’t walking into this with stars in my eyes and hope in my heart. I had fear in my veins and thoughts full of hate, but if I had to pick the lesser of two evils, I would gladly do it again. Robbing Silas of a chance to kill me was just a checkmate on my end.
Water droplets started to hit my face, and I closed my eyes toward the sky, relishing the moisture on my skin. One year without rain, without dark skies nor sunny and bright mornings. One year of being a prisoner in someone else’s game, and it made you value the little things you always took for granted—the changing of leaves from spring to winter. How time changed and you stayed the same, just withering more each passing day.
“What’s the holdup?” Ren turned to glare at me. His jaw ticked, but his eyes softened for a second. I held my breath to see what he would say, but he just turned around and started to drag me again.
We made it to another alley where I could see another car hidden deep in the shadows.
There was no going back now.
Just as I took another step, aware that once I got in that car my life would yet again change, I was dragged back.
“Not so fast.” Gio’s drawl was pissed.
His hold on me was strong, his fingers digging into my frail arm. I was sure if he wanted, he could fracture my bones.
I was in the middle of two men who couldn’t stand each other. Ren didn’t look pissed; as soon as he turned, a slow smile spread across his handsome face.
“Nice scar,” he smirked as he pointed to Gio’s cheek, then cast his eyes past him toward the parade plaza.
Gio’s nostrils flared, and his eyes zeroed in on Ren.
“I’d hoped you’d be dead, but I can fix that right now. I’m sure my boss will reward me.”
“Why don’t you let go of Ember, and we’ll settle this here and now,” Ren taunted. His hold on my arm was strong but not enough to cause me harm.
Gio seemed to think it over when he suddenly yanked me back, pulling me out of Ren’s grasp, or maybe he let me go so he wouldn’t snap my wrist. My body hit Gio’s with a loud thud. His arm wrapped around my waist while he held onto my forehead, forcing my neck to arch back.
“I’m going to enjoy killing you, and as a reward, I’m sure the boss will let me fuck—” Gio’s hand slithered down to cup my pussy.
I froze. My eyes met Ren’s, and his icy eyes shone but gave nothing away.
“—her until she begs me for more.”
“And you think I give a fuck who this slut fucks?” Ren drawled.
I didn’t flinch. I didn’t react. Instead, I went to that place in my mind that kept me sane—the place where no one could touch me. There was no pain, just a void of all emotions. Feelings got you nowhere.
Before Gio had a chance to speak, I jumped back against Gio’s chest when fireworks started to go off, signaling the end of the parade.
Ren rushed forward, and I flinched when he came at me fast. He went to where Gio was cupping me. Gio howled in pain and let me go. I closed my eyes for a second, scared of what would happen next. I still had my eyes closed when I felt Ren’s arm wrap around my waist and pull me toward him. He held on to me as if he owed me.
The problem? He did. When I was in his arms, I opened my eyes. He looked beautiful in all his anger. Beautiful things didn’t just come out in the light; they thrived in the dark, full of wicked promises and lies. A violent fantasy—that was what Ren was. His arm was outstretched, pointing a gun with a silencer toward Gio.
“Have fun crawling after me,” Ren smirked.
I flinched when he pulled the trigger, my heart palpitating with adrenaline. Gio’s hand was bleeding, a nasty gash on his arm, and I didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him. As another firework thundered in the sky, one of Gio’s kneecaps exploded.
“Time to go,” Ren stated as he started to drag me behind him. He pulled my arm, forcing me to keep pace with him. I was weak and couldn’t go as fast as he wanted. We rounded the corner, where there was a black car parked.
Ren took me to the door behind the passenger side. He pressed me against the door, his body right behind me, and then his hand came to my hips.
“Nice try,” he whispered as he fished out my cell phone.
I closed my eyes as I heard the snap of my phone breaking next to me.
He opened the door for me, and I took a moment before I sat.
“Sorry about this,” he said, sounding anything but sorry.
A sharp pain shot up my neck before I lost consciousness.
Clocking Ember on the head wasn’t what I had in mind when I went to meet her today. This was why I didn’t bother with plans in the first place—shit hit the fan with wild variables. And Ember was very much a wild variable, despite her coming willingly.
I gripped the steering wheel tighter. It gave me something else to do, other than to step on the gas. The last thing I needed was to get pulled over. I checked my rearview mirrors, making sure that no more of Silas’s men had followed me, because I didn’t have the manpower to deal with all of them, and there was no way I was leaving Ember behind. We had unfinished business.
Just as I had unfinished business with Gio a year ago; I barely made it out alive. My mind was clouded by fury, rage, and betrayal, all directed at one person who couldn’t even meet my eyes. Reading people was something I was good at. Analyzing them, knowing their patterns, or what choices they would make once I was familiar with their habits was something I’d never had trouble doing. So the moment Ember slipped a weapon into my pocket, I learned all I needed to about the spoiled little bitch.
So I let the men escort me out of the maze, and just like I had a feel for Ember, I also had a feel for Silas. Something wasn’t right with him, almost like he was coming unhinged at the seams, but I couldn’t figure out why. When he looked at me, his eyes went past mine and at that moment, and I knew Silas had no intention of letting the cops have me, which gave me a small window of opportunity.
The moment Gio led me away from the grounds where the partygoers were starting to come out, and toward a more secluded area, I threw my head back, hitting Gio and allowing myself enough time to grab the scalpel. I swiped it fast against Gio’s cheek with enough pressure I knew it would scar. While he was down, I started to run when another of the men tried to shoot me. I neutralized him and brought him to the ground and snapped his neck. I figured his death and Gio’s injury were more than enough to hold them back and try to contain the damage done before the media found out.
Gio’s pride was something I forgot to take into account. The bastard shot at me three times, the second one hitting my shoulder.
I’d been in pain before, practically raised in it, so continuing to run was a bitch, but I did it. As I managed to get away, I dialed Pam.
Revenge with Gio wasn’t as personal as I was going to have it with Ember. I was more than happy to let his pride be his downfall once again. Not only did he lose Ember, but he was now useless to Silas. The loyal dog was about to be tossed on its ass, and that gave me pleasure.
I turned back quickly to where Ember was still unconscious, and now that the adrenaline had died down, I could see changes in her. I turned back to the road and took the exit to drive away from the city.
When plan A didn’t work, it was time for plan B.
Now I sat in a chair in the corner of the dark room, waiting for Ember to come awake. I gritted my jaw at the irrational anger I was experiencing. It had nothing to do with my hate for her. She was always a petite girl, but now she was too thin. Frail. Weak. Her hair had grown, but it lacked shine. Her face looked pale, no sign of a tan anywhere.
The moment she whimpered, my head snapped her way.
“Fuck,” she moaned.
I continued to watch from the shadows as she came to. She tried to move but only got so far.
“Hey, princess,” I chastised her. “Have a nice nap?”
Her head swu
ng toward the dark corner where I hid, and she glared. I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. God, she looked magnificent. My pants grew tighter, and I was glad the darkness and the angle she found herself in didn’t allow for her to see how hard I was.
The haze seemed to wear off the more alert she became. She tried to sit up, only to be held back down by the collar around her throat.
I felt her glare, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.
“I have to go out, but that way, you can stay put,” I told her as I got up and left the room without turning back.
Ember
My breathing was coming in shallow pants as I tried to remain composed so the bastard wouldn’t know how much he was affecting me. My head was throbbing where Ren had hit me, and it mixed with the insane need I had for my fix.
I. Was. Dying.
I tried to get up, only to be pulled back by my neck.
He’d collared me.
The memory of walking down the stairs came to haunt me. All the times I’d called him a dog, and he silently took it because it was me who had the power. That was the thing about power, wasn’t it? Power was always changing.
I glared at him but didn’t say a word. Not when his gaze caused more fear in me than yelling from Silas ever did. Silas was never close enough to hurt me the way he wanted, but Ren was there, and I was right—he was going to destroy me.
“I have to go out, but that way, you can stay put,” he said as he walked out.
I waited until the door closed before I brought my hands to my neck, confirming what I already knew. Spikes.
One thing was for sure, Ren was a patient son of a bitch.
Moving my hands around my nape, I found the clasps from the leash and took it off. It allowed me to sit straighter. I kept trying to open the collar but found small clasps that seemed to need a key to make it open.
But of course. Ren was the type of guy to think of everything.
Sitting up took effort I didn’t have and made me feel like I was seasick. I needed answers, and Ren owed me that much. I’d betrayed him, but he did it first, coming to my house after the conversation we’d had. I closed my eyes briefly to gather strength when I started to feel hot.
