Degrees Of Distortion (Distortion Series Book 1)

by Aimee McNeil

  The nurse scrambled to her feet and swung the door open. He could hear her screaming, but he couldn’t make out her words. The man in his arms began to lose his fight, and Dane held with his waning strength until they both slid to the floor. When the man was no longer moving, Dane felt for a pulse. He let out a relieved breath as he tried to shove the dead man’s body off of him. Dane realized he had ripped himself open, and his blood gushed down his hospital gown.

  “Fucking great,” Dane barely managed as he clenched his teeth through the pain.

  The room of his door swung open, and two armed security guards came in the room with their guns drawn.

  “Now you show up,” Dane said sarcastically.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-SIX

  Lexie

  Lexie listened to the heavy silence as it closed in around her, a vast contrast to the chaos in her head. Though the room looked like a luxurious hotel room, it felt like the prison it was. The energy of this place was dark and twisted, and Lexie feared she was not the only person this room had ever held. She curled tightly in a ball, holding onto her legs, hoping to make herself small enough to disappear from this place.

  She opened her eyes and scrambled off the bed when she heard the lock turn. She frantically pushed her hair out of her face and wiped away her tears. She held her breath as she waited for someone to enter. The sight of John Stodden as he walked into the room was like a punch in the stomach. A cold smile was on his hardened face when he looked at her. A chill crawled across Lexie’s skin at the sight of the man that held her captive, the man who had brought so much pain to her mother, and the very man that could be her father. The thought made her sick. She wanted nothing to do with him, but she was his prisoner.

  “How are you feeling, Lexie?” His voice was smooth, deep, and commanding.

  “How am I?” Lexie asked in disbelief. “Where is my mother? What did you do with her?” Lexie positioned herself on the other side of the bed, putting as much distance between them as she could. She wasn’t sure what his intentions were, but she planned on making whatever he intended as difficult as she could.

  John watched her calculatedly, like he was trying to figure out how to play his cards. “I assure you your mother is fine.”

  “I want to see her,” Lexie demanded,

  “In time.” John tilted his head. “When depends on you.”

  “How?” Lexie narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She was trying to stay on top of his moves. This man knew how to twist the world to his benefit, and she was terrified she would play right into his hand.

  “I want your cooperation. You want to see your mother. I am sure we can work something out.”

  “Where are my friends?” Lexie held her breath in anticipation. Painful thoughts of the worst possible scenarios had been playing through her head since she was left alone in this room—taunting her.

  “Your friends…does that include Jackson Finley?” John raised his brow.

  Lexie nodded slowly, not wanting to give more information than necessary.

  “How well do you know Jackson, Lexie?”

  “Well enough.” Lexie squared her jaw. She could feel John testing her edges, trying to find a way in. His eyes were terrifying because she knew she was looking into the gaze of a real life monster.

  “Did you know that your mother murdered his father?” John sat on the other side of the bed. Watching her like a hunter watched its prey. Lexie didn’t answer; she had no idea how to respond. She had been trying to make sense of the fact that her mother was in some way involved in Jackson’s father’s death.

  “I have good sources that tell me Jackson had plans to exact revenge on your mother and you.” John used potent words. She wasn’t even sure if she could deny them. Jackson had kept so much from her, she wondered if she could trust him at all. It could have all been a lie, even his feelings toward her. She felt used and angry. “You could say that my little interference saved your lives.” John looked pleased with himself. “He’s a man who wears a badge, but he has always walked on the edge of crime because he could never fully leave his past behind him.”

  Lexie shook her head. “You’re wrong.” But her defense was weak at best. She wasn’t convincing anyone that she truly believed her words.

  “Am I?” John was unsettlingly calm. He was a man who believed he had control of all things, but she knew she would never let him control her.

  “Jackson wouldn’t…” Lexie shook her head. She couldn’t help that seed of doubt that took root in her stomach. She knew Jackson had lied, but she needed to believe he wouldn’t have hurt them. She tried not to let John’s words get inside her head and twist her thoughts.

  “You have feelings for this man,” John stated offhandedly. “Let me give you some advice, Lexie. Men that pretend to be something they aren’t are the true evils that walk among us. I, on the other hand, will never try to deceive you. I may not be the most upstanding citizen, but I am true to my nature.”

  “I know exactly who you are. You’re the one who can’t be trusted,” Lexie spat angrily.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m sure in time you will feel differently. Jackson’s father brainwashed your mother years ago. She made the mistake of taking his word over mine. Don’t make the same mistakes as your mother. Jackson is too much like his father. Men like that don’t have the ability to love. They only destroy. He wants revenge for his father’s death, nothing more.”

  Lexie thought of all the words that her mother wrote. She knew John’s true colors. She may not be able to trust Jackson, but she knew for certain she would never believe a word this man tried to sweeten her with. She would never soften to him.

  John stood up from the bed and smoothed out his suit.

  “What about Stephanie and Evan?” Stephanie asked nervously.

  “My use for them ceased when I had you.” His words dropped the temperature of the room.

  “Are they…” Panic slipped into her voice, and she wrapped her arms around her stomach.

  “They are alive,” John said reassuringly. A subtle smile curled his lips as if her fear amused him. He walked back toward the door and opened it, waving someone in the room.

  Lexie watched a man walk in with a case in hand. He looked to be in his late forties. His hairline was diminished and feathered into the remaining thickness that still wrapped around the base of his head. He set his case on the table and opened it up to reveal medical supplies.

  She shuffled backwards until the backs of her legs collided with the cool wood of the nightstand, causing the lamp to topple to the floor. She retreated as far as she could until she had nowhere to go and her back was pressed against the wall—trapped.

  “Relax. He’s only here to take a blood sample. I need to confirm if you’re my daughter.” John smiled, but it did not meet his eyes.

  Lexie didn’t want to know if she was part of this monster posing as a man. She feared this truth more than the four walls holding her captive. If he really was her father, she would never be able to escape his evil because she would be a part of it. She shook her head. “No,” Lexie gasped. “I don’t want to know.”

  “If you want to see your mother again, Lexie, you would do best to listen,” John said impatiently.

  Lexie’s gaze met John’s; he held in his hands the power to destroy her. A tiny drop of her blood could destroy what little hope she had for her future.

  “What happens if I’m not your daughter?”

  John walked around the bed. Lexie had nowhere to retreat. Her back was still against the wall. His dark eyes swallowed her whole, but she couldn’t read his expression. She had no idea what dark thoughts were swirling behind his stony features. “Dear Lexie, you remind me so much of your mother.” Lexie pulled away when he touched her hair. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “We will find a place for you, though the circumstances may be different.”

  “I don’t want to stay here.”

  John laughed, deep and rich. “
You don’t have a choice.”

  “What did my mother take from you? Can’t she just give it back and you leave us alone?” Lexie couldn’t stop the tears that flooded her eyes.

  “What she took is between your mother and me. Your mother was never free to leave in the first place. I will not allow it to happen again.” John waved the waiting man forward. “This is Doctor Collins. He will take your blood sample for the test.”

  “What if I am your daughter?” Lexie asked, wishing the wall she was up against would disappear so she could run far away.

  “Then we shall get acquainted. Make up for lost time, so to speak.”

  “Will I ever be able to leave? Will my mother be able to leave?” Lexie asked.

  “Regardless of what this test reveals, you are mine. You and your mother belong to me.”

  Doctor Collins stepped forward. He seemed completely unfazed by the fact that John was keeping her and her mother against their will.

  John grabbed Lexie’s hand and held tight, despite the fact that Lexie tried to pull free. His hold was too strong. The doctor ignored her protest as he pricked her finger and took the sample. He proceeded to package and label it before he tucked it away in his bag. Lexie could only watch in devastation.

  “I should have the results for you within the week,” Doctor Collins said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he grabbed his case.

  “Be sure you do,” John responded, his eyes not leaving Lexie’s hand that he still held in his own.

  Doctor Collins turned stiffly on his heel and walked out of the room without a backward glance.

  “Shower and change. There are clothes in the closet for you. You will join your mother and me for dinner,” John said as he ran his fingers along the inside of Lexie’s wrist.

  Lexie perked up with the mention of her mother, but a swell of discomfort filled her chest with John’s touch. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her hand before releasing her. “I will see you shortly, Lexie.”

  Lexie held her breath as John left the room. Taking a deep breath, she let her body slump against the wall. Her heart still raced with fear as she slid down and collapsed on the floor. She didn’t need her mother’s diary to know this man was capable of great evil.

  She wasn’t sure how to play this game, but she was determined to figure it out. She would not be owned by anyone. She needed to talk to her mother, and this dinner with John may be the only chance she had. For now she would cooperate until she could find a way out. She was determined to find a way to get them both free of John Stodden for good.

  Lexie pushed off the wall, wiping her face. She opened the closet doors to reveal it was stocked with many dresses. She ran her fingers over the various fabrics. They all looked exquisite and expensive. She selected a bright red dress with intricate lace detail and looked at the tag. She was surprised to see the dress was in her size. Kneeling down, she looked at the shoes lined up on the floor, of various styles and colors, in her size as well. The fact that he knew what size she wore made her stomach feel like lead. She walked over to the dresser and opened a drawer. It was filled with underwear and bras. Lexie picked up a bra and looked at the label. She dropped it quickly and shoved the drawer shut.

  Flicking on the light, Lexie walked into the large washroom. She ran her fingers over the lip of a large white tub. A tiled shower ran the length of the back wall that looked to be as large as her entire bathroom in her apartment. She looked at her reflection in the large mirror over the vanity. She looked as exhausted as she felt. She walked closer and leaned against the vanity. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair tangled. This was the look of a girl that life just beat the crap out of her, but she was determined to go another round—as many as it took.

  Her attention was drawn to the products sitting on the counter—perfumes, makeup, creams. It was as if someone went into her apartment and brought all of her things here, but these were all brand new and a much broader selection than what she normally indulged in. Lexie picked up a tube of her favorite brand of lipstick. She looked at the label to see the shade was “Happy.” It was her favorite color, and she wore it more than any other shade. “Happiness is only a color.” Lexie sighed as she dropped it back on the counter and watched it roll off the edge and drop to the floor.

  Lexie tried not to think about what it meant having someone go to the trouble of stocking the room with everything she needed. John’s plan to bring her here was something that was premeditated. Someone had to have been through her entire apartment to know what to buy. The more she looked, the more unlikely it seemed she would be allowed to leave—ever.

  She found herself drawn toward the large shower. She wanted more than anything to stand under the hot water and let it wash away the gross feeling that had a tight hold on her.

  Lexie scanned the entire room; the uneasy feeling that was clamped around her stomach would not let up. In the upper corner of the room a small black device called her attention. She climbed up on the edge of the tub to get a better look. Anger burned through all her other emotions as she reached for a small black camera. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled. It was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand and easily missed if she hadn’t looked for it. She ripped the cord from the back of the expensive-looking device and threw it in the toilet and flushed. She watched it spin around the bowl until it disappeared.

  Lexie searched every inch of the washroom before feeling confident it was the only camera. She walked out into the main area and quickly selected some clothes and threw them on the desk chair. She dragged the heavy piece of furniture across the floor and into the bathroom. Once in the washroom, she lodged the back of it under the door handle and made sure it was secure before she walked up to the shower and turned on the water. She knew it wouldn’t keep anyone out that was determined enough to enter, but it would buy her time.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Jackson

  “Your buddy all right?” Sieks gave Jackson’s foot a nudge. Jackson looked up at Evan, sitting by his side. Evan’s complexion looked as grey as a stormy sky. He was grasping the handle of his gun with white knuckles, while bouncing his knee nervously. He looked on the verge of having a panic attack. Sweat broke out over his forehead, and his eyes were unfocused.

  “He’s fine.” Jackson rammed his elbow into Evan’s side, causing him to grunt. Evan’s eyes snapped to his. Jackson made sure the meaning behind his glare read loud and clear.

  “He’s just getting in the zone,” Teddy assured. He was sitting on the other side of Evan. He grabbed Evan’s shoulder and gave him a shake.

  “I don’t know, man. He looks like he’s gonna pass out.” Sieks looked skeptical. “Has he been on a raid before?”

  “Yes. He’s just messing with you.” Teddy chuckled before leaning in and whispering something in Evan’s ear. A small smile forced its way onto Evan’s face, and his leg stopped bouncing. Evan ran his hand down his face and leaned forward.

  “I’m good.”

  Jackson leaned back against the side of truck, the hum of the tires on the road radiating into his bones. His thoughts never left Lexie. While Evan was practically crawling out of his skin beside him, Jackson was consumed with rage, a feeling that gave him pin-point clarity and a feeling of purpose. Throwing himself into danger was the mold best fit for him. He was not cut for a life of normalcy. He was most comfortable with a weapon in his hand and a target in his sights. Until Lexie he didn’t want for anything. He didn’t fear falling victim to shadows or crossing lines. He had lived day to day without much thought to his future.

  Lexie made him question everything. She made him want something that was not his to take. That’s why when he put her life back together he would walk away. He would take all the feelings she created in him and tuck them away deep inside where the darkness that lived in him could swallow them up.

  “Here, Jacks.” Teddy reached into his backpack and pulled out an iPod with small, sleek earbuds.

/>   “What’s this?” Jackson asked, taking the device.

  “I can’t keep fixing that relic. I know it means a lot to you, but maybe you can retire it so it doesn’t fall apart. I uploaded all the songs on this. It’s the exact same playlist.”

  Jackson wrapped his fingers around it.

  “I fixed the other one, but if you keep playing it there will be nothing left to repair. The tape on that cassette is worn to shit.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  “Sure.”

  Haffey’s voice flared to life on Sieks’ radio, informing them that they were five minutes out. The men shifted restlessly, their guns in hand. Jackson adjusted his vest. He wasn’t used to wearing so much gear and felt restricted. He didn’t feel comfortable in a uniform; he much preferred slipping in under the radar, but he had to play by Haffey’s rules. He knew she would be waiting for him to slip up so she could have an excuse to take him off her case. The only reason Jackson was here was because Giles had sway with their precinct, but it would not stick if Jackson made trouble. The Belhaven precinct was where his father had worked. Giles too until he moved to the neighbouring town of Westford ten years ago in an attempt to separate Jackson from his dark past.

  The van pulled off the main road, and they all braced themselves as it continued on uneven terrain. All conversations died as they prepared themselves for what lay ahead. When the van came to a stop, the back doors swung open and all twelve men filed out, guns ready. They were on the perimeter of the large property. The lights could be seen twisting through the trees in the distance. They needed the element of surprise if they were to be successful. John was quick on the draw, and any notice would give him too much time to react. Jackson grabbed Evan by the back of the shirt. “Stay behind me and don’t get yourself killed. Got it?”