“She’s fine.”
“I want to see her. None of your business why.”
“And why would she want to see you?”
“Just doing a favor for a friend.”
“And what friend would that be?”
The troll drew himself up as tall as I could and looked Cass straight in the eye. “Her father, that’s who, boy. Now let me see for myself that the girl is okay and I’ll leave.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“Son, you really don’t want to fuck with me.” A nasty smile transformed the troll’s face from merely ugly to hideous. “Let me see the girl and we won’t have a problem.”
“Does she know you?”
“She’s never seen me before. Even if she had, she wouldn’t remember.”
“And you don’t think she’s going to start screaming when she does?”
“The Fata aren’t the only ones who know how to work a little mojo, son.”
In the blink of an eye, the troll transformed himself into a raccoon. Kind of a big beast but a raccoon nonetheless.
Damn. I shook my head. Learned something new every day.
The troll changed back to his original form, a smug grin on his face.
“Why do you want to see her?” I went back to my original question.
The troll sighed and shook his head. “Because I promised her parents before they died that I’d check in on her when she came to the cabin. Make sure she was okay. It was the least I could do after what happened.”
“What do you mean, after what happened?”
“Why, after I couldn’t save them from that bastard who killed them.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sara
I stood on the other side of the door, holding a hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t make any inadvertent sounds.
I’d kept myself from looking out the window in the door on the off-chance whoever was out there would see me. The voice was definitely male, guttural and rough, and it held a trace of the South.
I could hear every word he and Cass were saying, even if some of it didn’t make any sense. Cass had called the man a troll. At least I thought he had.
What I did know for sure was that this man had known my parents—and he claimed someone had killed them.
But he couldn’t be right, because my mother had killed my father then killed herself out by the small stream that ran through the property.
My mother had always been unstable, but my father had loved her to distraction. And they’d both adored their only child.
But this man claimed someone had killed them.
I opened the door and found myself staring at Cass’s chest.
“Sara, go back in.”
“I’m sick of waiting.” I heard Cass’s resigned sigh as I stepped around him. “And I want to meet— Oh. Oh my.” I took a deep breath, knowing if I didn’t, I might stand there and stare with my mouth hanging open.
Cass had been right. The guy was a troll. The same one I’d seen earlier knocking on my door. I was pretty certain he wasn’t just called that because of his looks, though those were…unfortunate, to say the least.
Pasting on a smile, I stuck out my hand then tried not to cringe when I caught sight of his… Good God, the man only had three fingers. And that nose. And face. And he barely came up to my chest.
The little man shook my hand with a firm grip and released it fast, as if he’d seen my reaction.
I forced myself to look him straight in his beady little eyes, which resembled coffee beans. “I’m Sara Prescott.”
“Now then, you’ve grown up to be a beauty.” His smile eased the sheer ugliness of his features. “I’m Edgart. Nice to see you again.”
I blinked. “Again? Please forgive me, but I don’t believe we’ve met before. I think I would have remembered.”
“You were just a wee thing the last time I saw you. Couldn’t say more than a few words. But I did see your parents a few times after that. Your father was a good man. And your mother…she was a beautiful woman.”
I wasn’t as shocked as I probably should’ve been. After everything I’d learned today, the fact that my parents had been friends with a troll didn’t throw me off balance as much as I’d expected. “You knew them well?”
“Ayuh. Your parents were frequent visitors to this cabin for many years before and after your birth. Your mom had the blood, like your friend here.” He sniffed the air and my eyes widened before I could catch myself. “Like you do.”
“You said something about my parents being murdered. What did you mean?”
“Just what I said. I wasn’t fast enough to save them, but I made your dad a promise before he succumbed. Told him I’d look out for you whenever you came up to the cabin, but I’ve been in the mountain for a few years and haven’t seen you since your parents were alive.”
“I was told my mother shot my father then killed herself.”
Edgart shook his head. “Never woulda happened. Your mom had issues but she never would’ve hurt your dad, Starbright.”
Oh God. That had been my parents’ pet name for me. This…this man had known my parents. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.
“Besides, I saw the man who shot them.”
Cass’s arms came around my shoulders and pulled me back against his chest.
“Do you remember what he looked like?” Cass said, and I held my breath.
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll give you his name. Daniel Bonnini.”
* * * * *
Cass
I felt Sara sway on her feet and tightened my arms around her shoulders. I’d known how hard she would take this. I’d suspected Bonnini had been involved in her parents’ deaths but hadn’t had any actual proof.
“No. I’m sorry. You must be mistaken,” Sara insisted.
Edgart shook his head, his expression hardening until he looked even fiercer. “No, I’m not. That bastard killed them then pinned it on his own flesh and blood. He couldn’t control her. He’d always wanted her to help him, but she never would.”
“Help him with what?” I asked, pulling Sara even closer to my body until they touched from shoulders to thighs. She shook, a fine tremor that raised goose bumps on her skin.
“Whatever dirty work he had going at the time.” Edgart turned his beady gaze to Cass. “You know he’s dark, right?”
Cass nodded. “Yes, we do.”
“Well, I knew I couldn’t exactly take Starbright from him. I wouldn’t have a clue what to do with a child so I had to hope the dark bastard wouldn’t break her.” He turned back to Sara. “Looks like you turned out okay, sweetheart.”
“I…I don’t… Cass, I think I need to sit down.”
I turned, scooped an arm behind her legs and around her back and lifted her against my chest. She felt tiny, her arms so thin as they curved around my neck that my stomach clenched. I wanted to stand in front of her and take everything that was thrown at her—but I couldn’t. She’d be stronger for it when it was all over, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to protect her from it. Or from wanting to kick my own ass for starting this whole process.
Inside the cabin, I grabbed a couple of glasses then sat at the table with Sara on my lap. I poured her a couple of fingers then poured a shot for Edgart, who had followed us in.
With trolls, tradition demanded I offer him thanks for information with alcohol. Or gems. And since I didn’t have any jewels on me…
The troll took the glass and sniffed. “Ah, Jack. Developed a hankering for this from your father. He always kept a bottle around for me.”
Sara took her glass and tossed back the entire amount then inhaled deeply and straightened, wriggling a little on my lap. I fought back the lust I felt building, knowing this wasn’t the time.
“I’d always wondered about that,” Sara said with a shaky voice. “Daddy never really drank but that bottle was always there. I can remember wondering why he needed to r
eplace a bottle he never drank.”
“Your dad was a good man. Well, I do appreciate the drink. And now that I checked in, I gotta get back to my mountain.” The troll set the glass on the table and gave a little one-hand salute that looked vaguely obscene. “Since it looks like you’re in good hands, I’ll get back to my hole. Got a line on a good vein. Stay safe, Sara. I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
The little man turned on his heel and walked away, closing the door behind him.
I kept quiet, waiting for Sara to say something, anything. She didn’t move, just sat there staring straight ahead. Her silence was killing me. I wanted to know what she was thinking, wanted to say something to make it better, but I didn’t know what she needed to hear.
Finally, she said, “Did you know?”
I didn’t need to ask what she meant. I knew she was talking about Edgart’s claim that Bonnini had killed her parents. I didn’t even consider lying. “I suspected.”
“But you don’t have proof?”
“There probably is none, except Edgart’s statement. I’m sure Bonnini covered his tracks. I know the police investigated the deaths but, with Bonnini telling them how your mother had always been unstable and no one contradicting him, they had no reason to suspect anyone else.”
Sara still didn’t look at me and I wondered if she was going into shock. Her already-pale skin was at least one shade past gray and her eyes just stared across the room.
“Sara, let me take you back to my house. We’ll be safer there and—”
“Safe?” Sara snorted, shaking her head. “Safe from what?”
Chapter Sixteen
Sara
My temples throbbed, my stomach churned and every muscle in my body ached from being clenched so tightly.
According to Cass, I’d been a fool my entire life. The thought that I’d been living and working with the man who’d killed my parents made me ill. The fact that I’d been grateful to and even loved the man made me want to throw myself in a vat of bleach.
Even now one small part of my brain screamed in denial, but I thought that was probably the child in me, the one who remembered the Christmas mornings me and my uncle had spent opening presents and the birthday dinners we’d always shared together. They all meant nothing. Because a troll claimed my parents had been killed by my monster uncle.
I laughed, a harsh bark, and Cass tightened his arms around me. I wished I could dissolve into a river of tears, just curl into a ball and cry until I passed out—but that wasn’t like me. My parents may have coddled me, but my uncle hadn’t raised me to be weak. At least I could thank him for that…or not. Because what I really wanted to do was kill him.
Stab him, choke him, shoot him, blow him up. Throw him off a cliff, hang him from a meat hook but, most importantly, make it slow and painful. So painful his heart exploded from it.
Just like my heart threatened to do now. It pounded in my chest like a bird in a too-small box and my lungs contracted into tight little balls that ached with every breath.
My eyes burned but I had no tears. I swore I could feel my blood running through my veins, furious and hot with each pump of my heart.
“Sara, sweetheart. Breathe. Come on, babe, you’re scaring me.”
I heard Cass but he sounded muffled, as if I was encased in ice. His lips brushed my ear, but I felt nothing, only an all-consuming rage. Rage was good. It cleared my mind of everything else.
But Cass wasn’t letting me enjoy it.
“Sara.” This time he shook me, just once, and it rattled something loose inside me, something I quickly tucked away. “Look at me.”
I felt his hand on my chin and turned my head to meet his gaze. His expression was carefully blank, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at me.
In a flash, I realized that this was his fault. He’d brought all this on me. If I hadn’t met him, none of this would have happened. All my rage turned off as if I’d flipped a switch.
“It’s going to be okay, babe. I swear.”
He was right. It would be fine—as soon as I got rid of him. “I want you to leave now.” My voice dripped ice.
Cass continued staring into my eyes as he shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re in shock.”
If shock meant I was numb, I could deal with that. In fact, it was preferable to the rage. I tried to stand but Cass’s arms tightened around me. I wanted to disappear but couldn’t, because Cass was holding on to me too tightly. I couldn’t concentrate enough to send myself away. There was all this white noise in my head and it was deafening.
“I want you to leave, Cass. I don’t want you here. I don’t want you at all.”
I saw him visibly flinch at that last comment and something like grief moved through my body. But it couldn’t be grief, I told myself. Why would I be upset at getting rid of the source of all my problems?
“Sara, I understand you’re—”
“What is it exactly that you think you understand?” I barely recognized my own voice, it was so…dead. “I don’t think you understand at all. I want you to leave. I want you gone and I never want to see you again.”
His arms tightened again then relaxed but not enough for me to break free. “That doesn’t change the fact that you shouldn’t be alone.”
“I don’t want you here.” I spoke each word clearly so he wouldn’t mistake me. “You need to leave. I will be fine.”
He blinked, the only outward sign that he’d been affected by my words.
Bastard. He was a complete bastard.
I began to shake, a full-body rattle that started in my toes and extended to my hair. I tried to control it, tried to rip myself out of his arms, but the more I fought against him, the tighter he held on to me.
The rage roared back with a viciousness that felt like a knife in the gut. I screamed as I struggled, a primal sound that terrified me. But it released whatever internal cap had been restraining my emotions. A flood of feeling hit me with the force of a tsunami wave, taking me under.
I screamed again and cried—and Cass held me tight. I turned into him and beat at his chest with my hands, kicked at his legs with my feet—and Cass held me tight.
Tears fell, drenching me, drenching Cass. I cried and screamed until I couldn’t breathe anymore, and my arms were too tired to lift. Then I drew in a deep shuddering breath and let Cass take my entire weight.
God, I felt like shit. Like someone had pulled the plug and left all the life out of me. I probably looked as bad as I felt. And I felt fucking awful.
Cass still held me, one arm around my shoulders, the other around my waist. His fingers stroked me through the cotton, helping me breathe more easily.
I didn’t know how long we sat there but eventually he stood, still holding me, and walked to the shower stall in the corner.
He set my feet on the floor and I grabbed for his shoulders.
“Don’t—”
“Shh.” He caught my head in one hand and pressed it into his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.” Then he turned the taps on in the shower and stripped them both. By the time their clothes hit the floor, the water was steaming and Cass pushed me under the flow before stepping in behind me.
I would have turned into his body, but Cass put his arms around me to hold me in place.
The hot water flowed over me, easing the remaining stress from my body. It left me completely drained of every emotion but one. And I wasn’t sure I was ready to acknowledge that one yet.
After a few minutes, Cass’s hands, which had been lying on my shoulders, began to massage the stiff muscles of my neck. Tilting my head back, I let it rest on his chest, the steady rise and fall of his breathing as soothing as the motion of his hands.
He worked my neck for a while then moved to my shoulders. The man has magic fingers. I laughed silently. Of course he did. He was magical. Gorgeous, strong, inscrutable and magical.
He’d let me take out my frustration, horror and anger on him and he hadn’t flinched or ste
pped aside. Instead, he was bringing my back to life.
Moving from my shoulders, he smoothed his hands down my arms to my wrists and back up again, his wet skin slick against mine. His fingers brushed against my nipples, teasing them into hard points beneath the hot water. Then he cupped the small mounds and kneaded them, adding kindling to the heat building low in my body.
A small sound escaped me parted lips. A whimper or a moan, I wasn’t sure. But it made Cass’s hands tighten on my breasts for a few seconds before sweeping down the sides of my body to my hips.
The shower stall didn’t allow much room between us and he pulled me fully against his body, his erection, throbbing and hot, nestling into the crease of my rear. I rubbed against that hard shaft, arching my back and reaching behind to run my hands over his hair-roughened thighs.
The numb sensation in my gut was starting to thaw when Cass slid his hands around my hips to flatten on my stomach. For several seconds, he let them rest there before dipping down to brush against the curls on my mound.
My breath stuttered and held as he stroked through the curls to find my clit with one finger. He rubbed the little nub with soft touches that created a tantalizing sizzle from my clit to my womb. My fingers flexed into his strong thighs, wanting to touch more of him.
I tried to turn but he wouldn’t let me. He wrapped one arm around my waist and held me in place while he fondled my clit with the other.
“Cass—”
His finger slipped into my sex, thrusting into my body and making me cry out as I clenched around him. But it wasn’t enough, and he seemed to know it. A second finger joined the first while his palm covered my clit and pressed down.
The orgasm hit me hard and fast. My whole body tensed, my mouth opening on a moan as my blood fizzed in my veins. I’d never felt anything like it before. It felt like…magic.
I turned my head, seeking his mouth. Instead, his mouth opened on my nape, sucking on the skin before biting down. With his fingers inside me and his teeth in my neck, I felt dominated and out of control.
My body convulsed again, short and sharp, and still he didn’t stop. He forced me to feel only pleasure, to lose myself in it. Nothing else mattered except his fingers inside my pussy, his tongue licking my nape, the hair on his thighs tickling my skin. His chest rose and fell against my back in time with my own ragged breathing and his cock rubbed between my ass cheeks.
Imprisoned by Desire: a Fated Desires story Page 8
