"Not yet," I mutter, pulling the sheets up. "Not until Dexter finds out what I did."
"Why are you so dead set on hurting him anyway?" He buttons his cufflinks and slips on a blazer. "What's this desire to hurt him really about?"
"You have to ask?" I push the sheets off and get up, my naked body shivering in the cool night air. "He's hurt me every single day since I've been back. He's made it his mission to fuck me up. Why wouldn't I do the same to him? Why wouldn't I hit him where it hurts?"
"Is that why you didn't want me to use a condom?"
I smirk, strolling to the window, my fingers lingering on the wooden frame as I stare outside. "You sure catch on fast, Lai."
"You know, you could be pregnant right now." He approaches me from behind, arms wrapping around me and embracing me firmly. His fingers touch my belly, gently wandering over the flat expanse of my navel. "Maybe you've got my baby in there."
I don't answer, just silently place my hand over his as we continue to stare out the window.
A moment later, I break off the embrace and motion to the door. "You better leave. All the others have gone already. I don't think you want to be here when Dex arrives."
"You think I'm afraid of him?"
I shake my head. "I'm just looking out for you."
"Why do you care?" He picks up his car keys from the nightstand. "Does it matter whether I'm breathing or not?"
I don't know what to tell him. My alliance with Lai was born out of necessity, but I do have fond feelings for the boy. He was never as cruel as the others.
"Leave, Lai." My voice is gentler, and he nods in silent understanding, raising his hand before he leaves. I wave him off, and watch him walk to the door. Then, I stare out of the window and watch him get into his car and pull out of the driveway.
I got what I so desperately wanted. Revenge is coming, and it's going to taste sweeter than I could have ever imagined.
So why am I still not happy?
"I can't believe it," Minnie breathes. "You... you wanted them to do that to you? But why?"
"Because it's the only way I can hurt Dexter," I mutter. "The only way to get back at him for what he did to me."
"What about the other boys?"
"What about them?"
"Don't they matter to you?" Minnie's words aren't accusatory, but confused instead. "Don't you care about their feelings?"
"No," I reply firmly. "They didn't care about mine, either, did they?"
She doesn't answer. She ponders my words as she picks up the hairbrush again and once again begins to brush my hair. Her next words are spoken so quietly I nearly miss them.
"You're going to have a baby, aren't you?"
"It's too soon to tell."
"Your father's going to kill you."
"He hasn't yet," I mutter. "Besides, that kid will be privileged. And I'll be giving Father the heir he so desperately wants."
"So you're going to keep it?"
I shrug. "I don't care. I don’t even know if it’s going to happen. But maybe if I can give Father the heir he's wanted his whole life, I can use the baby as my ticket to get out of here."
"You'd give the baby up?" Her eyes widen. I don't know whether she's appalled or impressed. "You'd just walk away from a child?"
"It means nothing to me." My hands form fists in my lap and I close my eyes firmly, pretending I'm telling her the truth. Pretending I don't give a damn at all. "The sooner I have it, the better. The moment I do, I'm a free woman."
Minnie ponders my words, and we sit there in strange, but companionable silence as she continues to brush my silky mane.
"I found out where my mother lives."
"W-What?" she stutters.
"She's alive and well, as it turns out." I deliver the words with cool indifference. As if it doesn't matter at all that my own mother abandoned me. That she hasn't made a single attempt to reconnect with me. It must run in the family - am I not planning on doing the same thing to my child, once the time comes? "And she lives only a couple of hours away by train."
"Are you going to see her?"
"Yes," I nod. "As soon as I can get away. But you can't tell anyone."
"So you're leaving this town for good?"
"Maybe."
"What if..." She bites her bottom lip, obviously nervous to ask the question, and I squeeze her hand to reassure her. "What if she doesn't want you to stay with her?"
"Then I have another family waiting for me in Wildwood." Once again, the memory of my parents who aren't really my parents, of my sister Andromeda, hits me hard and cuts deep where it hurts the most. "I'm sure they'll take me in, protect me from my father."
"You're underestimating him," Minnie whispers, and for the millionth time, I wonder how far Father's abuse has gone when it comes to the pretty blonde maid. "He's going to find you wherever you go. And he'll drag you back by your hair, if he has to. He has enough money and power to do that."
"I'm of a legal age now," I remind her. "Nobody can tell me what to do. At least in the eyes of the law. And I know half of the cops in Eden Falls are on Emilian Oakes' payroll, but it's not that way in Wildwood."
Minnie nods, pondering my words as she finally sets the brush down. As she does, I spot the faint hint of bruises on her wrist, barely there, but noticeable enough for me to make out the shape of fingers where someone held her.
"He did this?" My fingertips gently touch the bruised skin, and Mignonette winces when I touch her, nodding without saying a word. "I'm going to help you, Minnie."
She smiles at me, but it's not a sign of happiness. She doesn't believe me, and neither do I. Minnie has no one looking out for her. She has nowhere to run. At least I have options, places to go if all else fails. Even Minnie's mother would betray her.
"It's okay," she mutters, but the tremble in her voice doesn't escape me. "I'll manage."
"Maybe I should speak to Brazen," I suggest. "He's helped you out before and-"
"No." She grips my hand, pulling it to her chest and staring at me with pleading eyes. "Please, Pandora. Promise you won't say anything."
"But why?" I demand. "You know he loves-"
"Stop." Her eyes fill with tears, and she blinks fast, shaking her head. "Please, stop. I can't."
"Okay." I don't poke her further, knowing I've overstepped already. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's alright." She manages a weak smile, getting up from my bed and smoothing down the white apron she's wearing over her sky-blue uniform. "I should get back to work. My mom will be wondering where I am."
"Minnie..." She shakes her head again, shutting me up. I want to comfort her, to offer her solace and friendship, but it seems as if she doesn't want that. She's pushing me away, eager to keep the topic away from Brazen. And while I may not understand her eagerness to not speak of my brother, I owe her not to push the subject as her friend. "Okay. I'm sorry. I'll stop. You can leave."
"Thank you, Miss." Minnie seems relieved as she gathers her cleaning supplies and leaves my bedroom, softly closing the door as she leaves.
I'm left alone with my thoughts, which are circling through the people I've met in Eden Falls. The people who think they've used me, played me to their advantage. Soon enough, they will all find out I'm the one who's got them twirled around my little finger...
7
Pandora
It's hours after my conversation with Minnie. I've been sitting in my room for ages, feeling restless and needing a breath of fresh air. My life is so complicated, and I need some space to think. The walls in my bedroom don't provide solace, but instead confine me. I need to get the hell out of there, if only for a few minutes.
I'm surprised when I find the door unlocked. I suppose now that I'm worthless to Father, he doesn't give a damn about what I do anymore. I fully plan on using that to my favor.
I stalk down the hallway unnoticed. It seems like nobody is at home, but then I hear noises when I walk past Father's office. There's the faint hint of somebody
crying, the sound barely audible. But it catches my attention, and I walk up to the door that's been left slightly open, and peek inside.
My father is blocking my view. He's standing in front of his desk. I can't tell whether there's anyone in the room with him, but judging by the cries I heard, he can't be alone. And then he speaks up, solidifying my thoughts.
"Take it."
I hear crying again, and I push the door inward slightly, wincing when it creaks. They don't even notice. I keep trying to steal glances at what's happening as my heartbeat picks up, hammering loudly in my chest.
There's a blood curdling scream next, and I instantly recognize the voice as Minnie's. I push the door open then and stride into Father's office. He turns to glare at me over his shoulder, his eyes wild and enraged as they meet mine and he hisses, "Get the fuck out."
"No," I say firmly. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"None of your goddamn business."
He picks himself up from the desk and strides toward me, but I'm too preoccupied with the sight before me to be worried for my own well-being.
The pretty blonde maid is splayed out on my father's desk, trembling, blood trickling down from the corner of her mouth and a bruise blooming over her left eye.
"What the hell have you done to her?" I whisper as he advances on me, but neither of us gets a chance to speak again.
I hear the sound of a door slamming in the hallway, and a moment later, a tall, broad-shouldered figure appears behind me.
"You sick fuck."
I whip my head around, meeting my brother's gaze. "Brazen, I..."
He ignores me, taking a long step forward and grabbing our father by his neck. He backs him up against the wall, slamming his body against it with force I didn't know he possessed.
"If you fucking touch her again," Brazen snarls. "I'm going to rip your fucking heart out through your mouth."
Father laughs out loud, eyes sparkling with cruelty as the two face off. I rush to Minnie's aid, shocked when I see the state she's in. My father has gone insane. He's hurt her so badly I can't even imagine what he thinks she's done to deserve this. He's a madman.
Minnie's right arm is hanging from her body on a strange angle, and she winces when I touch her there, eyes filling with tears. I realize it must be broken, only then seeing the girl's clothes are in tatters.
"I'm calling an ambulance," I whisper, whipping out my phone and dialing the hospital. "Hello, we need an ambulance sent to Oakes Estate. There's... been a problem."
"Get the fuck off that phone." Father rips himself away from Brazen and knocks my phone out of my hand. I watch in disbelief as it falls to the ground, shattering. He's out of control. "You don't call for help. You don't disobey me. You do as you're told."
"What about Minnie?" I demand. "You broke her arm..."
"What?" Brazen approaches us, only then seeing the maid and the shape she's in. His eyes narrow as he takes her in, his jaw setting into place with a painful click. When he turns to face Father, I see pure, undiluted rage in his eyes. I wouldn't want to be Emilian Oakes right now. "You're fucking dead, old man."
Father laughs, but Brazen is on him in seconds. This time, there's no holding him back, and Minnie and I watch in horror as he attacks Father, fists flying, blood spurting. He's making Father unrecognizable, and the sick fuck laughs while those punches land.
"Keep hitting me, son," Father spits out through a mouthful of blood. "For every punch you throw at me I'll hit her. For every kick I'll fuck her. I'll keep going until she's a broken little-"
There's a horrifying crunch and then Minnie screams, loud and shrill. I embrace her, whether out of fear or because I'm trying to protect her, I don't know. She shakes against me and a moment later, staff fills the room. Belle's screaming and crying, clutching at her daughter. Another maid faints. The butler grabs an enraged Brazen from the back, trying to get him to calm down while the pulp that used to be my father snickers on the floor.
There are teeth lying on the hardwood, in pools of dark red blood. I stare with my eyes wide as three male employees drag my screaming brother off Father. Before they remove him from the room, Brazen spits in our father's face. My blood is running cold and I'm terrified. I don't know whether Father even survived the attack. The mess on the floor says otherwise.
"I need to get out of here," I mutter, pushing past figures that I don't recognize, their faces blending together into one mess. Someone calls out after me, but I don't listen. I recognize a panic attack brewing, but it's never been like this before. I'm shaking, I feel disoriented and my heart is racing.
I nearly stumble as I walk down the stairs, clutching the banister and telling myself to calm down before I get hurt, too. All I know is, I need to get out of that toxic house and its inhabitants.
I pass Tianna on the stairs. Her expression is unreadable and she looks as beautiful as ever. I've nearly reached the hall when she calls out my name. I turn over my shoulder to look at her.
"Pandora," she repeats. "Get out of here while you still can."
I knit my brows together. "W-What?"
"Get out of here. He's going to hurt you more if you don't," she mutters. "Run."
I swallow thickly, my breath calming for long enough so I can say, "I don't run. I fight."
Somehow get in the car and tell Kelley the one place on my mind: Dexter's house.
I manage to calm down somewhat on the ride over, and am finally breathing normally by the time the car pulls up in the Booths' driveway. Kelley gets the door for me and I stumble out. I fired off a quick text to Dexter to let him know I was on my way. It's been days since I've seen him at the whipping. I chew my bottom lip nervously, not knowing what to expect as I use the knocker on his front door.
There's no answer for ages, and I begin regretting sending Kelley away. What if he's not home?
Then, finally, I hear movement, and moments later, the front door opens. Dexter Booth stands before me in nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants, and my eyes go to the bulge there first. My mouth fills with saliva and I force myself to look up, over his chiseled torso to his tortured, beautiful face.
"Pandora," he mumbles.
"Can I come in?" I don't wait for him to answer, but stroll into his house right away. "Why are you answering your own door? Where's the help?"
He chuckles weakly. "Already getting used to the high life, aren't you, Pandora?"
"Where's your butler?"
"He quit." Dexter closes the front door with a wince and motions for us to go to the sitting room.
"Won't you hire someone new?"
"Maybe." He walks funny, with a limp, and when he passes me and I see the mess that is his back, I gasp out loud. "What?"
"Your... your skin," I whisper. "It's... ruined."
He stops a few steps ahead of me and groans as I reach him, pressing my fingertips to the only place on his back that isn't bleeding or scabbed over.
"He did this to you?" I ask, shaking my head. I knew Dex had been whipped after interrupting the ceremony, but I had no idea to what extent. I feel sick looking at him now, knowing it's my fault he's been hurt like this. "My father hurt you. It's my fault."
"No," Dex hisses. "It's Oakes' fault. He did this to me. And it's not the only thing he's done."
"What do you mean?"
He shakes his head, rubbing his temples. "Sitting room. Come on."
I follow him through the hallway and sit on the sofa in front of the roaring fireplace. I can't help but notice his house is looking dirty and unkempt. There are dust bunnies in the corners of the room and spiderwebs on the ceiling. Dex settles on an ottoman and winces again as he sits down.
"I'd offer you a drink, but you'll have to make it yourself," he says. "Don't have much in the house."
"It's fine." I wave my hand dismissively. "I do hope you hire someone soon, though... Have you seen a doctor?"
"The first day after." Dex motions to the coffee table. "There are some creams and painkillers there I'm suppo
sed to take. But I can't put the ointment on my back by myself. Can't reach back there."
"Want me to do it for you?" I ask, my heart breaking for him. I hate the bastard, but I still feel sorry for him.
He battles with his decision, but I don't wait for an answer. Instead, I pick up the tube from the coffee table and approach him. Slowly, Dex turns his back to me, and I come face-to-face with the horror that is his wounds. I inhale sharply, trying to not let him see how scared the sight of him makes me. The wounds have scabbed over, and there are stitches in some of them. I touch the area with my fingers dipped in the ointment, and Dex hisses.
"Sorry. I'll try to be as gentle as I can."
"You should." He groans when I begin massaging the medicine into his skin. "I don't deserve it."
I don't comment and continue to work the salve into his skin while he glares at me suspiciously.
"What are you doing here, anyway?"
"My father." The words fall from my lips before I can stop myself.
"What else is new," Dex sighs. "What'd the old prick do now?"
"He..." I swallow the truth down. I'll tell Dexter what happened, but I want to thank him, first. "Doesn't matter. Just more Oakes bullshit. Eden Falls this and that. I hate this godforsaken town."
"So do I, toy," he mutters. "So do I."
"And I wanted to thank you." I put the cap back on the tube of ointment and place it back on the coffee table, feeling Dex's eyes on me.
"What for?"
Sitting on the sofa next to him, I clear my throat. "You helped me after what happened with the boys. I wanted to see you, help you like you did for me. I haven't seen you in days."
"So, you finally care about me," Dex scoffs. "Took you long enough."
"Don't make a big deal of it. Your ego can't get any more inflated."
"That's where you're wrong, toy." He shifts his position on the sofa, and my eyes are drawn to the impressive outline of his cock pressing up against the fabric of his grey sweatpants. My mouth waters at the sight of his size, and he grabs his goods with one hand. I look up into his smirking face. "Like what you see? Want another taste?"
A Hurt So Sweet Volume Three: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Elite of Eden Falls Prep Book 3) Page 5
