Lover

by Penelope Sky

  So I blocked everything out of my mind and pretended this wasn’t happening. I became my own therapist, trained myself to repress the horror that was taking place. If I compartmentalized everything, I could pretend it wasn’t happening at all.

  Footsteps sounded behind me, and I recognized their heaviness. They usually only came during the night, but it was the middle of the day now.

  Maddox fell into the chair beside me, his knees wide apart as he stretched out. He surveyed the countryside in front of him, as if he were more interested in the view than he was in me.

  My heart started to palpitate. I hated being close to him, hated being in the same vicinity. I crossed my legs and immediately shifted my body away from him. I did my best to not think about the horrible things he was doing to me, but when he was right beside me, that was impossible to do.

  He sat in silence for a long time, enjoying the quiet companionship.

  I wanted him to leave, so I stayed quiet in the hope he would eventually walk off.

  But he stayed.

  I finally spoke. “Is there something I can help you with?” I didn’t want this man to infringe on my peaceful afternoon, on the time designated for myself. The abrasive woman inside me wanted to throw him out of my bedroom, but this guy was freakishly strong. It was best not to provoke him.

  “No.”

  I stared straight ahead and hoped he would leave on his own.

  “Are you enjoying your time here?”

  It was so ridiculous, I almost did a double take. “Is that a serious question?”

  “You live in a nice house, have chef-prepared meals, and look at this view. It could be worse.”

  “No, it couldn’t be worse.”

  Both of his arms rested on the chair, and he propped one ankle on the opposite knee. He was dressed casually, a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. “Maybe I need to step up my game.”

  I knew I should’ve kept my mouth shut. “How long are you gonna keep me here?”

  He turned his gaze toward me. “Forever.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face; I felt my fingers squeeze an invisible trigger. “You got your revenge. No need to make this situation permanent.”

  “I’ll decide that.”

  I wasn’t sure how long I’d been there. Perhaps it’d been a week, maybe two. It was ironic that I’d lost track of time even though I had nothing else to do. I would give anything to hear my husband’s voice again, to be connected to something good. He probably had no idea if I was alive or dead. “Can I talk to him?”

  His face remained blank. “Why?”

  “I want him to know I’m okay.”

  “But are you okay?”

  “Well, I’m not dead…yet.”

  He faced forward again, dismissing my request.

  I tried again. “Please.” It was unlikely that I could tell Hades where I was, that Hades could figure out my location, but maybe it was worth a shot.

  He looked at me again. “And why should I?”

  “Like you said, I’m innocent.”

  He considered my request for several minutes before he reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone. He typed in a number and made the call.

  I held my breath because this actually might work. I might get to talk to Hades again.

  Maddox smiled just before he began to speak. “How are you, Hades?” He continued to smile as he listened to whatever Hades said in response.

  I couldn’t hear a single word.

  “Your wife wishes to speak to you. Should I put her on?”

  My hands turned slippery once my palms began to sweat. I ached to take that phone, to feel safe, even for a few seconds.

  Maddox extended the phone to me, a warning in his eyes. “One minute. Say something stupid, and I’ll kill you.”

  I took the phone with a shaky hand and brought it to my ear. My heart was racing in ecstasy, wrestling with the unbridled joy this moment could bring. I took a deep breath before I spoke my first word. “Hades?”

  Hades was quiet on the line, as if he didn’t hear what I said. Only his breathing was audible, noticeably strained, noticeably profound. When he spoke, his voice came out as a strained whisper. “Baby?” All he said was my nickname, and that was enough to show how devastated he was. His agony was audible, his pain visible like colors on a spectrum.

  Now I wished I’d never called.

  He didn’t ask where I was, probably because he knew I couldn’t answer. Even if I could answer him, I really had no idea where I was. Instead, he gave me hope to keep living. “I’m going to get you out of there. I promise.”

  My eyes watered as I gave a slight nod, not that he could see me.

  “Just stay strong for me a little while longer.”

  I was too emotional to speak.

  “Baby?”

  I didn’t tell him how miserable I was. I didn’t tell him what Maddox was doing to me. It was best to say nothing at all. “I miss you…”

  After a painful sigh, he said, “I miss you too.”

  I had been so excited to talk to him, but once I had him on the phone, I didn’t know what to say.

  “Baby…are you doing okay?” He didn’t ask anything specific, probably because he didn’t want to know. It was the vaguest question he could ask.

  Tears streaked down my cheeks and I tasted them on my lips, but I kept the pain muffled so he would have no idea. “Yeah…I’m okay. I can’t wait to see you. I can’t wait to come home.”

  “You’ll be home soon. I promise.”

  Maddox snatched the phone out of my hand and ended the call. “Did that make you feel better?”

  No—it made me feel worse.

  5

  Hades

  I sat on the patio outside my bedroom with my two greatest allies.

  Damien and Ash.

  That phone call had been brutal. She barely said a few words, because she didn’t want me to know how much she was suffering. She was trying to make me feel better when I was the one who should be making her feel better. I’d managed to steady my tears, that way she wouldn’t have to listen to me break down. I played that conversation over and over in my head, and every time I did, it sounded worse.

  I had to get her out of there.

  Damien leaned back in his chair, his cheek propped on his hand. “She didn’t give you any hint to where she was?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  “You couldn’t trace the call?” Ash asked.

  “No. We only talked for a minute.” I rubbed my finger against my temple, needing this agony to end as soon as possible. I did my best to get a location on her, having my men search everywhere, but we had no leads. I had friends all over the globe, but none of those friends could help me.

  Because Maddox had no friends. No one had any idea where he was—since he never told anyone.

  Even though Damien was also part of the business, Maddox had always been focused on me. He was obsessed with my nature, obsessed with my brutality. He had a sick fascination with my character. Damien never seemed to matter to him. It’d been that way for many years.

  “I think I know what I’m going to do.” I stared straight ahead and avoided the looks of the two men.

  “You’ve got a plan?” Damien asked. “Let’s hear it.”

  It wasn’t really a plan…more of a surrender. “I’m the one he’s obsessed with. I’m the one he wants to humiliate. I’m the one who fascinates him.”

  Ash cocked an eyebrow. “Where is this going?”

  “I’m gonna make a trade—her for me.” If he’d wanted me in the first place, he would’ve taken me. He didn’t because he knew my wife was a better choice. But maybe now he might change his mind. Maybe I could talk him into letting me take her place.

  Damien leaned forward. “If you do that, he’ll kill you.”

  I nodded. “I’m aware.”

  Damien couldn’t hide his unease at the idea. He couldn’t picture his life without me. “But if you die, she’s going to be m
iserable.”

  “She’s miserable now, Damien.” I’d rather die than let my wife be a prisoner to another man.

  Ash stared at me but remained silent.

  “I’m out of options,” I said. “I’m not even sure he’ll go for it. But if we keep searching at this pace, it’ll be years before we find her. And I don’t have years.”

  Damien still had disagreement on his face, but he didn’t challenge me. “You should really think this through before you make that offer.”

  “I already have.” I grabbed the phone and made the call. It only rang a few times before he answered.

  “Hades, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He was enjoying this far too much, so much that he probably wouldn’t trade her for anything.

  “You and I have been at war for years. You invaded my territory, and I fought back. We could do this dance forever, and unfortunately, we probably will. But I think we should settle this once and for all. I want to surrender to you…completely.” Just making that statement was humiliating. But I didn’t have time for pride. I had to do whatever was necessary to get Sofia out of there. “Take my surrender, Maddox. I’m the one you want. Let her go and take me instead.”

  “If I wanted you, I could’ve taken you a long time ago.”

  “But not like this. I’ll get on my knees and bow to you. You can beat the shit out of me, and I won’t fight back. You can do anything to me, and I won’t resist. I’ll be your puppet, and you’ll be the master. You’ve broken my will, broken my soul, so you won. Take your prize.” I stared at nothing in particular as I waited for a response, as I waited for him to say what I wanted to hear. I was handing over my death in exchange for Sofia’s life, but for me, that was a small price to pay.

  Both men stared at me, waiting for the outcome of the conversation.

  Maddox took his time answering, slowly considering my offer. When he finally gave his answer, the smile in his voice was long gone. “Alright. You have a deal.”

  I sat in the back of the SUV, Damien up against the window. The cars drove down the road that wound through the countryside. It was two in the morning, pitch black outside. When the brigade found the dirt road in the field, we made a left and disappeared into the landscape. Once we changed terrain, the vehicles shifted left and right as the ride became bumpy.

  I should be afraid of what was about to happen.

  But I was only relieved.

  Sofia would be free, and the second she was out of sight, I’d probably have a bullet between the eyes.

  That was fine with me.

  Damien would take care of my widow. She would inherit all of my assets. My last name would still protect her.

  Or maybe the prophecy would protect me. We were supposed to have two sons. If I died tonight, that couldn’t happen. I didn’t picture myself believing in such bullshit, but now I held on to the fantasy like a religion.

  There was still hope.

  The string of cars drove farther into the countryside, the meeting point miles away from the closest building. Our lights would be invisible from the main road. Our gunshots would be absorbed by the trees.

  After a few minutes, we arrived at the meeting spot. Maddox was already there with his team of mercenaries. All the vehicles were lined up, facing us with their headlights on. Just like last time, Maddox leaned against the hood of a car, his arms crossed over his chest. That wicked smile was on his face…like a fucking clown.

  Our car stopped, and I stared at him through the windshield, feeling a furnace of white-hot rage burning me from the inside out. My nostrils flared like they were about to emit fire. My knuckles ached as my hands formed tight fists. I’d never wanted to kill someone so much in my life.

  I knew what he’d done to Sofia… I didn’t even have to ask.

  I would never kill an innocent person, but I wished he had someone he loved just so I could do the same thing to him. There was no line I wouldn’t cross, no crime I was afraid to commit.

  I’d lost my mind.

  I sat there for a moment longer, calming my urge to kill. I had to walk out there and surrender to this maniac. I had to get on my knees like a pussy so my wife could go free. I had to sacrifice my reputation, my credibility, everything for the woman I loved.

  But I would do anything for her.

  “Hades?” Damien’s quiet voice came from the other side of the car. He spoke quietly, as if he were afraid someone might hear us.

  I knew we were about to say goodbye to each other. Once I handed myself over to Maddox, I would never come back. I was angry with Damien for being the catalyst that caused all of this, but in a moment of weakness, I actually felt pain. I turned my gaze to him.

  “Let me take your place.”

  I’d been expecting a handshake or an emotional goodbye. But not that.

  “This is all my fault. It should be me.”

  I stared at the sincerity in his eyes and knew he was being serious.

  “You and Sofia should be together. And I should pay for what I’ve done.”

  Even though he deserved that punishment, that was the last thing I wanted. I couldn’t let my best friend take my place. “No.”

  “Hades, come on.”

  “I said no.”

  “I want to do this.” His eyes started to fill with moisture, the most emotion he had ever shown. The lights from the cars reflected in his eyes, showing the way they swirled with agony. His breaths quickened, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

  I looked away because I couldn’t stand the sight. “She’s my wife. It has to be me. This is what I signed up for when I married her. It’s my job to sacrifice everything for her.” I looked outside and saw no signs of her. She was probably hidden in the back seat somewhere. “I’d die for her a million times.”

  “You need to live so you can take care of her.”

  “She can take care of herself. The only reason she’s ever been in danger is because of me.”

  “No…because of me.”

  “I know you’ll look after her, Damien.”

  He gave a slight nod, taking a deep breath to steady his pain.

  I turned back to him. “Just get her out of here, alright? I don’t want her to see anything.”

  Damien struggled harder to control his impending tears. “You shouldn’t be alone. No one deserves to die alone…”

  “Knowing that she’s safe is all I need.” Now that there was nothing left to say, it was time to get out of the car and face my death like a man. I didn’t want to say goodbye to Damien. How did you say goodbye to someone you loved? I extended my hand to shake his. “Good luck, asshole.” I did my best to lighten the mood, to make this easier for both of us.

  Damien didn’t comply. He pushed my hand away then moved across the seat so he could embrace me. He hugged me tightly and patted me on the back. “I love you, asshole.”

  I closed my eyes for a second and swallowed the emotion that wanted to explode inside my throat. I gripped the back of his shirt tightly and let the air slowly leave my nostrils. “Yeah…I love you too.”

  We both exited the car and headed to the no-man’s-land between us. Damien stayed a few feet back with my men.

  Despite the agony in every single muscle of my body, I stood strong and proud. My shoulders were squared, and I held my head high, taking my execution like a man looking forward to greeting death. My eyes locked on to Maddox’s, unafraid.

  Maddox straightened and took a step closer to me. “Are you ready?”

  Regardless of what I was about to face, I’d never been more ready in my life. “Let her go.”

  “You’re lucky I actually keep my word.” He nodded to one of his men.

  A pair of guys went to a vehicle in the back and dragged her from the back seat. They each held her by one arm as they escorted her forward. They dragged her until she stood beside Maddox, and once her eyes were on me, a look of relief stretched over her face. I’d come to save her, come to take her home. Her hair was messy because she didn’t style
it anymore, and her face was free of makeup. But she didn’t have a single bruise or mark…and that made me so grateful.

  I wanted to stare at her forever, but I had a job to do. I looked at Maddox again. “Let’s do this.”

  Maddox grabbed her by the arm and gave her a light push forward. “Go, sweetheart.”

  As if she couldn’t control herself, she ran straight into my arms. The momentum made me stagger back for just a second. Somehow, she still smelled the same, like roses and lilies. Her face moved into my shoulder, and she took a deep breath as her arms circled my waist. A few tears escaped, soaking my t-shirt.

  My arms circled her body automatically, and I squeezed her tightly, so thankful I got to have this one last moment with her. It made everything worth it, made my punishment easier to accept. And it made me realize how much I truly loved her. I’d been a selfish man all my life, but once I had her, there was no me. Only her.

  I leaned back slightly so I could press a kiss to her forehead. My hands slid into the back of her hair, and I cradled her against me, letting my lips soak up her taste. I didn’t want to let her go, not ever, but I had to let her go…forever.

  Maddox grew impatient. “Now, your end of the deal.”

  I grabbed her arm lightly and tugged her aside. “Get in the car, baby.”

  She glanced at Maddox before she looked at me. “You aren’t coming?”

  I didn’t have the courage to tell her what was about to happen.

  She was so damn smart that she figured it out on her own. Her eyes flooded with tears, and she started to panic. “No.” She grabbed me by the arm. “No, don’t do this.” She began to sob, delirious. “I’ll stay with Maddox…” Tears streaked down her cheeks, making rivers on her skin. The moisture in her eyes was more noticeable because it reflected the headlights like bright beacons.

  When she went on an emotional rampage, I couldn’t look at her anymore. “Damien.”

  She turned hysterical. “No. Please, no.”

  Damien stepped forward and took her by both arms.

  She fought against him like she was fighting for her life, screaming at the top of her lungs. “No, don’t do this!”