Bound By Blood: (The Betrayed Series Book 2)

by Victoria Renteria

  “Y-Yes, I understand.”

  “Good, now answer the question.”

  “N-No, I don’t know why I’m here.”

  “Well, my dear, all in good time. All in good time.” She stops, leveling me with her devilish eyes. “It’s clear that you’ve become lax in your training since my departure.”

  It’s as if she’s slapped me in the face. Training . . . Is she serious? This woman is clearly freaking mental. She used to beat me and whore me out to her friends, and she calls that training? I’ve got to find a way out of here. There’s no telling what she’ll do if I stay.

  For just a moment, I allow my eyes to drift to the side, scanning the room before me. Large windows line the front of the restaurant with several tables scattered throughout the space. Judging by my limited visibility, there are two exits: a door toward the front of the restaurant and one off to the side, both of which are being manned by two equally burly and very angry men. Fighting the urge to sigh, my shoulders slump forward as my mother’s voice washes over me. The small bit of hope I’d had of escaping this nightmare is quickly fleeting, seeing how heavily guarded the place is.

  “I should have never let you stay with Kyle. He’s clearly coddled you all these years. I mean, look at you.”

  The mention of my father’s name has me twitching on the cushion. Why would she even mention him? Why would she even care that I was left behind? I don’t understand. Coddled? Confusion sets in, muddling my thoughts further.

  She continues her tirade as if I’m not even present. “You would think that you’d at least be grateful. Especially considering what I’m offering you.”

  Mad . . . She’s clearly mad. It’s the only explanation. I can’t fathom what in the hell is going on. She has to be off her damn rocker. I mean, she always has been, but this is a new level of crazy.

  Leaning forward, she grasps my chin, crushing it in a bruising grip so hard my eyes swell with tears. “Well, things are about to change, my dear.”

  “I-I don’t understand.” My voice is thick, strained with the force of my unshed tears.

  “Of course you don’t,” she sneers, her agitation clear.

  A brief surge of anger, resentment, and irritation courses through my veins, giving me the courage to fuel my words. “Then why don’t you enlighten me?”

  Slamming her hand down on the table, she leans forward, closing the gap between us.

  Her voice is deathly quiet as she says, “You would do well to remember who you are talking to, Ttal. I could end you in an instant.”

  The sinking feeling in my stomach grows, spreading throughout my body. This is the Min Sun-ye Parker I remember. She’s the woman capable of torturing her ten-year-old daughter until she bled for hours on end. Selling her to the highest bidder and laughing as they had their way with her, saying she was “learning her place.” Shudders begin to wrack my body as I sit staring into the soulless eyes peering down at me. God, what am I going to do?

  How am I going to get out of this? What does she even want with me? Feeling like there is nothing left to lose, I ask the one question I need an answer to.

  “What do you want with me?”

  The feral smile that spreads across her painted lips has goosebumps rising along my arms.

  “I want you to renounce your American heritage and join me.”

  Time slows for a moment as I process her words. All of the air is forced from my lungs as I peer into her black eyes, looking for any signs of untruth. My chest tightens, the burning in my lungs from oxygen deprivation signaling that I’ve still yet to take a breath. Blinking several times, I inhale once before asking, “Y-You w-want me to what?”

  “You heard me, Ttal. I want you to leave your father. Stay here and join me.”

  “I-I don’t understand.” My words stammer, as they tumble out of my mouth.

  Huffing, my mother sits down on her cushion, pinning me with her glare.

  “Listen closely, girl. You will forget about going back to America. You will stay here where I will formally train you to take over the family business. Once you’ve been trained, you will join me and rule at my side until I step down. I will find you the perfect suitor, and you will marry and produce children to continue our legacy. We are all bound by blood to continue in our traditions. It’s been this way for generations. Do I make myself clear?”

  An uncontrollable trembling begins in my legs, working its way up my torso. Images begin dancing through my mind one by one just as my mother described. Being paraded around to different suitors, which really means auctioned off to the highest bidder. Forced to procreate with him and have his children. My stomach hardens, clenching as I gulp in large breaths, trying to shake the awful visions away. Alex’s words from the butterfly observatory float through my mind.

  “You’re strong and fierce, Kylee. There’s a tiger inside of you, a fierce woman lying dormant, waiting to come out. You just have to let her.”

  A tiny spark of hope ignites deep within my soul. It’s as if Mr. Violet Eyes himself has wrapped his arms around me, flooding me with strength and courage. His words are like a balm to my battered heart, even if only an echo in my mind. Fire ignites, fueling my body and mind, flooding my veins, steeling my spine. A sense of calm washes over me as I push my shoulders back, sitting taller on the cushion.

  Leaning forward, a small smile plays at the edges of my lips as I say, “No.”

  Her eyes grow large for just a moment as shock registers. It’s there but a moment before it’s replaced with a deadly smile. The cold, calculating grin that begins to spread across her beautiful face chills me to my very core. Before I can even blink an eye, she’s moved, snaking her hand into my hair, shoving my head down until it’s hovering barely an inch away from the grill. Using my hands, I catch the edge of the table, trying to push myself away from the intense heat radiating from the grill. Still gripping the table, my knuckles begin to turn white as I try holding myself against the steady pressure.

  Pitching forward, her lips are but a breath away from my ear as she whispers, “You dare fight me?”

  Her words are a warning, cold and deadly. This is the mother I remember. My heart begins to hammer in my chest, thudding, racing out of control, as if it will explode at any moment. On cue, my arms begin to shake from holding myself up against the pressure she’s applying to my head. The intense heat from the grill is searing my face, bringing tears to my eyes. Her fingers tighten in my hair, causing me to whimper.

  “Did I not teach you that it is considered impolite not to answer when asked a question?” My mother’s voice is laced with steel as she grits each word out.

  Struggling to hold myself up, I drag in a harsh breath as I reply, “Yes.”

  “I see. Is that a yes you plan on fighting me? Or a yes you remember what I taught you?”

  Beads of sweat roll off of my forehead and drip onto the grill, sizzling and steaming as my mother’s boisterous laugh echoes around us. Fisting her hands tighter into my hair, she gives it a tug before coming closer to my ear once more.

  “You were asked a question. I expect an answer.”

  Clenching my jaw, I spit out through gritted teeth, “Yes, I plan on fighting you.”

  “Ah, so little Ttal thinks she can take me on, does she? Well, we shall see about that, shan’t we?”

  A feral smile stretches across her gorgeous face, transforming her into a combination of magnificent rage and beauty. Using both hands, she thrusts forward, shoving my head closer to the grill. A pained cry sounds as my forearm touches the scorching metal surface. The overpowering heat seeps into my skin, causing my throat to constrict as I begin frantically gasping for air. The blinding pain is so excruciating, I’m barely able to make out that someone is talking above me. In a flash, I’m there one moment and gone the next, no longer hovering over the searing pit.

  “Do you think it’s wise to damage the merchandise?”

  “You dare question me?” Her voice is deadly calm and full of venom. />
  “No, merely making an observation. We will get more out of her if she is intact and not damaged.”

  “You would do well to remember who runs this organization. I will do as I please, with whomever I choose. Do you understand?” My mother sneers the last words.

  “Yes, ma’am. Forgive me. It was merely a suggestion.”

  Grasping my chin, she tilts my head until our eyes meet. “You would do well to remember that it is best not to fight me, Ttal. It is not a fight you will win.” Our gazes remain locked for several long moments.

  “You stubborn child. You have to do this the hard way, don’t you? Well, you’re going to find I have ways of making you do what I want, and you will do what I want, Ttal.” Her eyes narrow.

  Giving my head a slight shake, I respond, “No, I won’t, Mother.”

  Crimson stains her cheeks as she crushes my chin in her grip; a cry bursts from my lips in response to her ministrations. “Very well, but you must know that I will not hold back.”

  Swallowing back the acrid taste of bile threatening to work its way up my throat, I reply, “Do your worst, Mother.”

  Her eyes widen slightly as she pulls back, snarling. She points to the man guarding the door and nods before she says, “Prepare the room. You know what to do.”

  Nodding, he moves back down the stairs in the direction I came from. My mother looks at me one final time and says, “This is your last chance to join me before I torture you into submission.”

  My eyes broaden as I absorb her words. Unsure that my voice will work around the sizable lump in my throat, I shake my head from side to side.

  Glowering at me one final time, she says, “Very well, have it your way.” Turning on her heel, she marches out of the room.

  While my eyes remain glued to my mother’s retreating form, one thought continues to drift through my mind: I hope and pray that Alex is right because I certainly don’t feel strong.

  WARM LIPS PRESS OPEN-MOUTHED KISSES across the inside of my thighs. A groan rumbles from deep within my chest as soft, delicate hands firmly grip my balls, rolling them between her fingers. Her hot breath skims across my cock, causing my hips to thrust forward. Her soft laugh echoes through the loft as she lowers her head. Burying my hands in her hair, I groan, “Goddess, you’re killin’ me.”

  Playfully winking, her tongue darts out, wetting her lips before lowering her head, taking the tip into her mouth.

  “Fuck. Oh. God. Kai, that feels so damn good.”

  Swirling her tongue around, she moans, causing my dick to jump in her mouth. Peering down at her, I take in her flushed cheeks and watch as she slowly begins taking more of my cock. Each torturous inch causes me to twitch and breathe, focusing on not blowing my load in her hot, wet mouth. Taking as much of me as she can, Kylee picks up her pace, sucking me deeper with each pass. Tightening my hands in her hair, I begin thrusting into her mouth, hitting the back of her throat. Moaning, she begins sucking harder, pushing herself lower.

  Unable to fit all of me into her tight, little mouth, she wraps the lower half of my dick into her velvety fist, gliding it up and down. Groaning, I tug her hair. Kylee lets my cock fall from her mouth with a plop. Still stroking, she takes a few deep breaths and raises her gaze to meet mine. Smiling, she inches her way up my body until her lips are fused with mine. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I haul her deeper into my chest.

  Pulling back, she smiles as her lips softly caress my jaw. A shiver races up my spine as she grasps my cock, lining it up with her slick, wet heat. Kylee begins lowering herself inch by inch.

  “Baby, you feel so damn good.”

  Placing a finger over my lips, she just smiles and shakes her head. Her fingers dance their way down to my pecs, holding herself up as she raises and lowers herself. Tiny whimpers leave her body, her eyes drifting closed as she tosses her head back in ecstasy.

  “Goddess, open your eyes for me.”

  Shaking her head, she continues rocking back and forth slowly, bringing me closer to the edge. Unable to take another moment of torture, I grasp her hips, hammering into her over and over.

  “Fuck! Goddess, I’m gonna come. I need you to come for me.”

  Biting her lip, she grinds down on me as I continue thrusting into her with a primal need. With a scream, she reaches her climax, her core clenching, taking me deeper than before, and making me lose control. Thrusting one final time, I lunge, still buried deeply inside of my Goddess, lost to the bliss that only she can provide. Opening my eyes, I see Kylee’s head still thrown back in ecstasy, her eyes tightly shut.

  Tapping her thigh, I say, “Goddess, open your eyes for me.”

  When she opens her eyes, I’m lost, frozen to the spot as my shoulders become tight, breaths bursting in and out of my lungs as I fight back the urge to scream. Her once beautiful, chocolate colored eyes are solid white. I’m struck by the inability to speak. What happened to my beautiful Goddess? Shaking, I reach up to touch her face.

  Her head falls back, an ear-piercing wail rippling from her chest. My heart plunges, clenching at the sound.

  “Kai? Baby, tell me what’s wrong.”

  Her head slumps forward, those eerie white eyes falling to me once more as she whispers, “Alex, save me before it’s too late.”

  Sitting up in my bed, I scrub a hand down the front of my face that’s drenched in sweat. The dreams have been plaguing me since the day she was kidnapped. Tossing the sheet off me, I march down the stairs, straight into the kitchen, and grab a bottle of water. Chugging the contents, I stare at it for a few moments before throwing it across the room.

  “FUCK!” My voice echoes around the apartment.

  Closing my eyes tightly, I try to blank out everything around me. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in the silence, searching for anything that will help calm my inner rage. The quiet confines of my apartment are soon interrupted by the sound of a phone chiming. My eyes pop open, and I sprint back up the stairs as fast as I can. Hope latches onto me, gripping me like a long lost lover. Maybe . . . just maybe, there’s new information.

  Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I glance at the message.

  Sam: Hey, brother, just checking in. You okay?

  Me: Not in the least.

  Sam: Want me to come over?

  Me: No. I’m not much for company at the moment. Any news?

  Sam: Nothing new. We’re still going through intel.

  Me: I’m going to search her apartment and see if I can turn up anything.

  Sam: You sure that’s a good idea?

  Me: Right now, it’s all we’ve got.

  Sam: All right. Let me know what you turn up. We’re gonna work some of our contacts. I’ll keep you posted.

  Me: Thanks, Sam.

  Sam: Anytime.

  Tossing my phone onto the bed, I glance at the clock. Six in the morning. That gives me enough time to shower and search Kylee’s apartment before I need to be on base. Trudging into the bathroom, I turn on the shower, immediately stripping and climbing in. Cold water assaults me from every direction. Sighing heavily, I lean my head on the tile as my eyes drop, watching the water circle the drain.

  “Where are you, Goddess?” I whisper.

  My heart gives a little thud, the crack in it continuing to grow with each day that passes. A brutal coldness seeps into my body as scenarios begin playing through my mind. What if she’s being tortured? The thought of permanent marks scarring her beautiful flesh has me doubling over in pain. Squeezing my eyes shut, I drop to my knees and do something I’ve not done since I was a child . . . I pray. Each prayer is a plea whispered into the shower, bouncing off the tiles around me.

  “God, please give me a sign. Help me find her. I beg you. I’ll do anything.” Choking back a sob, I rise to my feet. Glancing up at the ceiling, I sigh. “What do you need me to do? Anything, just name it! I will do anything. Please, just help me find her.”

  Silence is my only response as I stare at the white tiles. Of course. Did I really expect an a
nswer? Anger surges through me, causing my body to tense. Grinding my teeth, I make a vow that if any harm befalls my Goddess, I will give it back tenfold to those who laid a hand on her. Using my rage to fuel me, I finish my shower and dress quickly.

  Grabbing the key that I was able to secure to Kylee’s apartment, I stick it in my pocket before reaching for my weapon and phone. Walking to the door, I lock up and turn, staring at the door I’ve avoided for the last several days. Tightness forms in my chest as memories come rushing back from our last night together. Knocking on the door, I recall the kiss that heated me from the inside out. I can still feel the desire coursing through my veins. Giving my head a little shake, I take a step forward, sliding the key out of my pocket.

  How can one small key feel so heavy? The thump of my heart pounds loudly in my ears. Maybe it’s my heart that’s truly heavy and not the key. With shaking hands, I lift the key to the lock. Faltering, I steady my hands and unlock the door before shoving my way inside. Light glints, bouncing off the key I slid under her door the day she was kidnapped. Bending down, I scoop up the contents then place them on the table by the door.

  Closing the door, I make my way farther into her apartment, allowing my eyes to roam around the room. Nothing is out of place. It’s like she just vanished into thin air. A frantic laugh escapes me. No way in hell she just vanished. There has to be something here. Venturing farther into the room, I move through the apartment, looking through the kitchen, opening cabinets and drawers, searching for anything out of place, any sign of a struggle, or a clue pointing me to where she may be. Finding nothing, I move into the living room.

  Kylee’s laptop sits in the middle of the coffee table, opened as if she’d been using it before she left. “Where did you go, baby? Show me what happened,” I mutter into the room.

  Sinking down into the cushions, my fingers run over the keys, my eyes sparking as I watch the laptop come to life. A frown creases my brow as I try to think of what password Kylee would have set. The jingle of keys and turning of the doorknob has me racing from the couch and drawing my weapon. Sprinting across the room, I duck behind the door just in time to see an older man walk into the apartment with purpose. Muscles begin to quiver as my body tenses, preparing for a fight. Questions flit through my mind as I watch him walk into the room. Who the fuck is this guy? What in the hell is he doing in Kylee’s apartment? How in the fuck did he get a key? Baring my teeth, my voice comes out low and menacing.