by Jen L. Grey
"It only makes it worse." Louis nodded his head in agreement.
"I think I liked you better before this …" I said as I waved my hands between the two of them, "happened."
"You and me both." Mason sighed. I got the pleasure of walking in on them one night.
What? How do I not know about that? It was better him than me.
It was in the apartment before we moved here. He stepped closer to me. When you were injured. His green eyes scanned my face.
That was before we moved into this place. The vampire prince had his eyes set on killing Mason, and I’d jumped in front of him, taking the dagger in my heart. I should've died, but hell, I got to visit my parents in what could only be the realm between life and death. Somehow, I had gotten enough of the vampire prince’s blood in my system to save me from death. I had been able to protect Mason and see my parents once more, which made everything that happened worth it. However, I'd never have admitted it to Mason.
"Let's go," Kassie growled the words.
"I'll pull the car out of the garage and get it started." Tommy ran out the front door, scanning the area as if Richard and Debra were going to appear right there.
"Damn him," Kassie grumbled as she ran after him with her hand on the side of her hip to easily grab her gun if needed.
"Go on." Mona pointed to the door. "I'll take the back."
"Hell, yeah." Ella hurried out the door first. "This is so much better than a movie."
"Something isn't right with her." Mason shook his head and glared at Louis. "You need to keep her in line."
"Oh, like you do Elena?" Louis smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "Criticize me after you're able to do that with her." His gaze landed right on me.
"Don't even try." As fun as this was, I needed to get to the prison and fast. I hurried to the door, leaving all three of them behind.
"See." Louis chuckled. "She just left your ass too."
"Not funny." Mason rushed and caught up to me as I climbed into the Suburban.
Mona stood right by the door, scanning the area for any threats.
I went straight in so that I was sitting in the middle row, then Louis and Mona could climb in the back.
"Let me get in first." Louis jumped in front of Mason and clambered into the vehicle, crouching low as he made his way to the back seat next to Ella.
It wasn't long before Mona and Mason got in, and Tommy took off to wherever we kept prisoners.
Mona groaned, and a hard slap could be heard from the back. "Don't make me do another hand check while I'm back here."
I didn't even want to touch this one. "How far away is this place?" The longer it took us to get there, the harder it was going to be to find them.
"Not far." Kassie glanced over her shoulder from the front passenger seat.
"But this is the heart of NYC." The fact that I didn't know the location of the prison was super disturbing.
"Actually, you were living right above it and didn't know." Tommy glanced in the rearview mirror.
The NYC apartment's modern building we'd moved from appeared in front of us.
"Are you talking about that?" I pointed to the building. They had to be, but that didn't make sense. That was starkly different than a prison.
"What you might not know is that you own the entire building." Tommy turned into the parking garage beneath the building.
It was one of the most luxurious accommodations, especially compared to our new home. Here, there was a parking garage, whereas our new home was lucky to have the single car garage that the guards insisted on.
"You don't rent out the basement." Mona leaned forward, trying to gain some distance from the two in the back. "And we use it as a holding ground of sorts."
"So there really isn't a prison?" Mason's forehead lined, and his brows furrowed. "That doesn't make a lot of sense."
"Actually, it does." Kassie turned around and met Mason's eyes. "Your guards are the best trained in the entire world. We should be the ones over the security."
"Fat lot of good it did for tonight." Ella snorted and shook her head. "I wouldn't be bragging like that when two escaped."
She had a point, but now wasn't the time to voice it. I glanced over my shoulder to see that Louis was frowning at her and had to be speaking to her mentally. Sometimes, I forgot he was a good ally to have. He understood the politics of it all.
"Anyway." Mason's words were brash. "How many people are down there?"
"Not many." Tommy rolled the window down and reached out, scanning his badge. "Normally, packs take care of their own when it comes to disobedience. So we have the stragglers like Richard and Debra down there."
"Besides them, there's only one more prisoner down there, and she's a little off." Mona shook her head.
"That's one way of putting it." Kassie laughed hard. "Or you can just say damn crazy."
"She tried killing your mom after your parents mated." Mona shook her head. "She'd been obsessed with your father and thought she deserved to be Queen."
"Wow, things that I never expected to hear." They'd never mentioned anything like that to me before.
"It hurt your father dearly." Tommy frowned and put the car in PARK. "They grew up together. She was even his high school sweetheart."
"And he had no clue whatsoever that she was insane?" This almost sounded like a movie or something you'd find on Netflix.
"Not a single one." Kassie opened the door and got out.
Within a few minutes, we were heading toward the familiar elevator we'd normally take up to the apartment. We followed Tommy inside, and he badged again, hitting the letter B.
Do not do anything stupid here. Mason wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back so I was leaning against his chest. I almost lost you once. I'm not sure if I could survive a second time.
Even though we hadn't discussed it, through our bond, I felt his guilt. He blamed himself for my near miss with death. I had even tried explaining to him that it wasn't his fault, but he wouldn't let it go. I'll stay right by your side. I had every intention of doing that.
As I stepped out onto the cool, basement floor, it hit me. I hadn't changed out of my stupid dress. This was going to be fun. I could run upstairs and change, but it would only waste more time. I'd just have to suck it up and deal.
The walls in the hallway were white, and the lighting was dim. It was obvious that we were underground. In the front was a younger guard whose mouth opened and closed as he stared at us from behind a large desk with computer monitors all around it. He had to be close to our age.
"Josh." Tommy nodded his head at the young man. "Where is everyone else?"
"They're ..." He cleared his throat and tugged on the neckline of his black shirt. His longish brown hair was plastered to his forehead, and his golden eyes seemed to glow. "In Richard’s and Debra’s rooms, trying to figure out what happened."
"Why aren't you tracing the scent?" Mason stepped forward and glared at the guard. His body was tense, and I placed my hand inside his, squeezing comfortingly.
"It doesn't matter." The last thing we needed to do was berate Josh and make him feel worse than he already did. "Let's get to it."
"You're going to do it?" Josh blinked his eyes at me.
"What the hell does that mean?" Ella pushed through Mason and me to the front. "I bet she could kick your ass." She nudged me on my shoulder. "Go ahead. Do it. Make the little bitch cry."
"No. No." He shook his head from side to side. "I didn't mean it like that." He raised a finger and pointed at me. "It's her dress."
"Don't take offense to her." Louis grabbed Ella’s waist and pulled her back. "Her mouth runs away with her at times."
"Did you really just say that?" Ella's eyes widened, and the green in her hazel eyes was hidden by their darkening color.
"We don't have time for this." Kassie waved her off. "Let's go."
"Yeah, okay." The guy reached over to push a button, and there was a loud buzz. "You're ready to go."
&
nbsp; Our group followed Kassie down the hallway and through a large set of steel double-doors.
It was similar in the cement vibe, but there was just a long hallway of steel doors that were all secured, giving it kind of a hospital feel as well. We walked about halfway down when we came to a spot where two doors were opened, side by side.
There was a guard in each of them.
"Any clues yet?" Mona walked into the room where an older woman was searching for a clue or anything that stood out from the norm.
"Not a one." She blew out her breath and placed her hands on her hips. "I don't get it. It's like they just vanished."
"Same over here." The guard from the other room shouted. Frustration was evident in his voice. "I don't know what to do."
I entered the same room as Mona and took a deep breath, filling my lungs. I could smell Richard in here but nothing else. "So he had to get out by himself."
"That's not possible." Tommy marched into the room. "It would be hard enough for him to get out but with his mother too?"
"What about the cameras?" Kassie and the other guard walked into the room with us. "Didn't they see anything?"
"No." The male guard's shoulders sagged. "It was like they all blacked out. We thought it was a technical issue."
"Did the other prisoner see anything?" Mason's body was tense and ready to pounce.
"Well, yeah. Kind of." The lady ran her hand through her dark brown hair. "Gabby was loose in the hallway when we got here."
"Is that the girl who had the hots for your dad?" Ella glanced down the hallway like she might appear.
"She means the former king." Louis shook his head and grinned.
"They knew what she meant." Kassie rolled her eyes and focused on the guard. "What did she say?"
"She hasn't been really forthcoming with information." The male guard cringed. "The only place they could've exited was the stairwell."
"You're right, but how?" Tommy headed out of the room and turned down the hallway in the direction where the other exit must have been.
"I'm going with him." Kassie marched out the door and turned to Mona. "Why don't the rest of you go and talk to Gabby. Maybe she’d be willing to talk to someone in this group."
"Okay, let's do this." Mona pulled some keys out of her pocket and walked to the door directly across the hall. She inserted a key, and soon I heard a click.
I need you to stay next to me. Mason snagged my waist and turned me so I was facing him. I get that this is important and you need to be involved. But don’t leave my side. I can’t be worried about something happening to you.
It hurt that he worried so much. I go where you go. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his lips quickly.
He nodded and gripped my hand like he thought I might disappear as we entered the room.
"Well, well ..." A woman who had to be in her mid-forties stood only a few feet shy of the entrance. "This has been such a weird day. I've had so many visitors." She straightened her shoulders, and some of her midnight black hair fell into her face. Her dark mocha eyes skimmed the group, stopping right on me.
"Cut the crap." Mona entered the room and motioned for us to follow her. "Tell us what you know."
"So you're the bitch that she birthed." Gabby sneered and took a few steps toward me. “You have her red hair and his blue eyes. What an abomination.”
"She is your queen." Mason moved in front of me, his body ready to fight. "You can't talk to her that way."
“Wow, this girl is whack.” Ella murmured behind me, whispering it into Louis’s ear.
"Actually, I can, snowflake." Gabby tsked as her eyes scanned him up and down before landing back on me. "Of course, the most attractive man here would be mated to Serafina's spawn."
"Hey, my mate is sexy too." Ella pointed at Louis.
The woman didn't even bother noting her presence. "They said it would be worth it for me to stay back."
"They? Who do you mean?" She seemed fixated on me, so maybe I'd have better luck. I needed Mason to get out of my damn way so I could get some answers.
"Do you think I'm dumb enough to tell you that?" She giggled loudly and looked almost crazed. "Of course you do. I bet you're just like her."
"Like who?" I had a feeling it had to do with Mom.
"The same red hair, the inflated ego, how you expect me to tell you all my deep dark secrets." She pulled at the ends of her hair. "All so superficial, but yet he fell for it."
"They were fated mates. They didn't have a choice." Maybe if I pushed her, she'd start rambling, not thinking through what to say.
Be careful. Mason linked with me and edged even more in front, his back brushing my chest. She's making me nervous.
"You see, Corey was mine." She shook her head and spat at the ground. "I don't understand what he saw in you and not me."
"Holy shit." Louis stood behind me, but even he took a step closer as if she might attack me at any second. "She's merging you with your mother."
These two meatheads were getting on my damn nerves. "This has nothing to do with you and me." If I played the part, would that help? "These people could hurt innocents."
"They don't give a shit about hurting anyone but you." She stumbled toward me and sneered. "Of course it's you. Everything revolves around you. They said I could end it."
You need to leave. Mason's shoulders were tense, and his breathing grew faster.
When I didn’t move, his jaw ticked. Now.
Like hell I would. I wouldn’t leave him alone; we fought together now. No.
“See, you aren’t even grateful for your mate, who is trying to protect you. That’s why I have to do it.” An ear-piercing scream filled my ears as Gabby pulled a knife from her pants. Her eyes found mine behind Mason.
"Watch out." Mona cried.
"No." Mason roared as he ran toward Gabby. When he got close to her, she bent and grabbed his arm, throwing him over her body.
“Mason.” My eyes stayed locked on him. Just when I was about to run toward him, all hell broke loose.
Mona rushed to get to me, but Ella was in her way, and Gabby was fast. Mason landed on his back, immediately jumping to his feet. The closest people to me were Louis and Ella.
Gabby’s eyes locked onto mine, and her aim was clear, the knife targeting my heart. I had no time to move out of the way.
Moments before the blade could hit my chest, Louis jumped in front of me. He took the knife in his upper arm and tackled her to the ground.
"Louis!" Ella cried as she rushed past me.
Mason leaned over and put Gabby into a headlock, causing her eyes to roll back in her head.
Whoever it was that gave her that damn knife, not only did they free Richard and Debra, but they had conspired in an attempt on my life. Yet, how do you fight a faceless enemy that you know nothing about?
Chapter Three
"That wasn't meant for him." Gabby took a ragged breath as she came to and growled. "Why did he do that? Why do people always protect her?"
"You stupid bitch!" Ella screamed the words and reared back, punching her square in the nose. "If he dies, you'll be next."
With the way she was acting, I wouldn't be surprised if she killed Gabby now. "Ella, he needs you." I bent over and frowned. "How bad does it hurt?" The prince had risked his life for mine, which meant more than he’d ever realize.
"Ah ... you know," Louis grunted as he glanced at the dagger that was still protruding from his arm. "Just fucking horrible."
"Cuff her." I flicked my eyes up at my three loyal guards. "Take her into another cell. We'll deal with her after we help him."
Mason leaned over the woman's face and bared his teeth. "We aren't done with you. You tried to kill my mate. You’ll be rotting in hell soon if I have anything to do with it."
"Aren’t you something?" She rubbed her finger along his chest and grinned. "We could have fun together."
In a flash, Mason took hold of her fingers and bent them backward, causing her to whimper.
/> Oh, dear God. I couldn't take much more. "Get her the hell out of here, now."
The woman guard handed Tommy the cuffs, and he took a step in Gabby's direction.
"No, please don't." She tried to stand but stumbled backward, attempting to get away. "She deserved it. Really, she did."
At first, I'd tried to humor her, but now she was getting on my nerves. "I haven't done a damn thing to you. This was our first time ever meeting. If you really did love my dad, why would you want to hurt me, his daughter?"
"That just makes it worse." She wrinkled her nose and jerked, trying to break free from Tommy's hold. "I hope they kill you."
"Take her out," Mason yelled the words, his breathing rapid.
We need her for answers. I understood he was upset, but we couldn't do anything rash.
That’s the only reason she's still breathing. Mason stared Gabby down as Tommy pushed her out of the room.
"We need to get the dagger out of Louis." The longer we left it in his arm, the more he would bleed. "I don't know what the hell to do."
"It's not a critical wound." Mona bent down to examine the injury. "Kassie, can you call Gracie? She should be able to handle this."
"On it." Kassie pulled out her phone and stepped into the hallway to make the call.
"The phone works down here?" I was surprised, considering we were surrounded by concrete.
"Connected to Wi-Fi calling." Mona reached for the black handle of the knife. "I'm going to pull this out to stop the bleeding."
"Whoa." Ella grabbed Mona's arm. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Promise." Mona smiled at her. "Mason, I may need your help since Tommy and Kassie are busy."
"What's up?" He leaned over, wincing as he took in the wound.
"First off, pretty boy," Mona snorted, "you might get some blood on those nice slacks if you aren't careful."
"Okay." He nodded and lifted an arm over his head, stretching it out. "Damn, she threw me over her body. I'm going to be sore tomorrow."
"Stop whining and get down here to help." Mona shook her head as she adjusted her grip on the knife once again.
"Do you need my help?" I hated being worthless, and Louis had saved my life. If it hadn't been for him, she would've hit her mark.
