Chapter 4 Betrayal for His Sake

When I woke up in the hospital, I had no idea how long I'd been unconscious.

Still, I was certain of one thing: Vincent kept his word. If he'd promised to let Susie go, she'd be safe—or so I thought.

I'd barely reached for the pitcher of water beside my bed when someone hurried over.

"Here, let me help you."

I froze when I recognized the voice.

It was Susie.

She'd apparently fallen asleep in the chair beside my bed. Now, she was pouring me a glass of water, concern in her eyes. "Cruz, does it still hurt? Are you feeling any better?"

The moment I saw her, all the anger I'd been holding back surged out.

I snatched the glass from her hand and hurled it across the room. "Who the hell told you to come back?"

Susie flinched, but I was too furious to care.

"I took those goddamn stab wounds to get you out of here, and you just came crawling back?" I pointed toward the door. "Are you trying to get me killed? Is that what you want?"

Susie's eyes filled with tears. "I've changed my mind."

I stared at her. "What?"

She bit her lip before answering, "I don't want to leave anymore. I want to stay with Damien."

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard her.

Before I could say anything, she continued, "I heard the women who spend time with him get paid a fortune." She hesitated before lowering her voice. "Could you... lend me some money for a procedure? I want him to believe I'm still innocent."

I stared at her in disbelief.

After everything I'd done for her and everything she'd been through, I couldn't believe money was still all she cared about.

I should've known better. I really should've.

I'd seen enough of the world to know that people would sell just about anything or anyone when the price was right—even themselves.

I sank back against my pillow and let out a bitter laugh. "You want Damien? Fine, but you have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

I started listing what I knew about his parties. "He's into all kinds of sick games. Twisted sexual games, degrading positions, and things most people wouldn't even dream of doing. And once you're in, you don't get to decide when you've had enough."

She listened to my tirade without saying a word.

I leaned forward and looked her straight in the eye. "If you think you can handle all that, then go ahead. Stay with Damien."

She looked at me for a moment before bobbing her head. "Okay."

That one word was enough to send me over the edge.

I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. "Are you even listening to yourself?"

I spat at her feet in disgust, but she didn't move. She simply closed her eyes, her lips trembling. "Cruz..." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Some people are just going to drag you down, no matter how much you try to help them."

My grip on her chin loosened.

She opened her eyes and looked at me again. "I came to Averon because I wanted to find a rich man to support me. That's what I wanted from the start."

Susie managed a faint smile. "Nothing's changed. So, please... stop worrying about me."

Then, she gently pushed my hand away.

I stared at her, disgusted by what I'd just heard. 'Fine. You want to throw your life away? Be my guest.'

I'd already risked my life for her once, and I wasn't about to do it again.

I arranged the procedure she'd asked for that same day.

I didn't even give her enough time to recover, stuffing her in my car as soon as she was discharged and driving straight to Damien's mansion.

I drove recklessly, still seething over her words. She sat quietly in the passenger seat, her face pale with pain. I could see how uncomfortable she was, but I was too angry to care, too pissed to slow down.

When we finally arrived, I got out and headed straight for the entrance. I was almost at the door when someone tugged at my sleeve.

"Cruz..." she whispered.

I stopped and turned around.

She was looking up at me with those same trusting eyes I'd seen the day we first met.

She asked, "Could you stay with me?"

I didn't bother answering.

I pulled my arm free and pushed the door open.

The party was already in full swing. Loud music filled the mansion, while laughter echoed through the enormous living room. At the center of it all stood a giant spinning wheel with a young woman strapped to it, unable to move.

Several wealthy men were taking turns throwing darts at targets around her. The room would erupt in cheers every single time a dart landed dangerously close to her body. The poor woman looked terrified, but the men were having the time of their lives.

I felt Susie stiffen beside me.

I thought, 'Well, now you've got a taste of just what Damien considers entertainment.'

However, I wasn't about to give her another chance to change her mind. Instead, I grabbed her wrist and dragged her across the room.

Damien was lounging on a leather couch, looking bored out of his mind. The moment I spotted him, I put on my most flattering smile. "Mr. Vale! There you are!"

He glanced up, and I quickly pushed Susie forward.

"I owe you an apology, sir. I wasn't thinking straight back then." I bowed my head. "But I've brought her back, just like you wanted. She's all yours."

Damien studied me for a moment before a lazy smile spread across his face.

"Is that right?" He picked up a glass from the table and held it out to me. "Good. Then, drink this."

I reached for it without hesitation. To my dismay, he spat into it just as my fingers touched the glass.

A few people nearby burst out in raucous jeers, but I didn't even flinch. I'd swallowed my pride more times than I could count in front of this man. What was one more humiliation?

I raised the glass to my lips, but Susie suddenly snatched it from my hand and drank every last drop before I could take a sip.

The room fell silent.

Damien actually looked interested for the first time that evening.

"Well, would you look at that?" He leaned forward, studying us with an amused smile. "Cruz, you really are something else."

I lowered my head without saying a word.

Damien chuckled. "Two years ago, you brought me your own sister."

My smile stiffened.

"And now you're handing over a woman who's clearly crazy about you." He shook his head, laughing to himself. "Man, that's cold. Even for you."

I gave him my most obedient grin. "Come on, Mr. Vale. You know me. Anything that makes you happy is yours to take."

Then, I glanced at Susie dismissively. "Besides, girls like her only care about money. You really think she gives a damn about me?"

Damien burst out laughing. "That's what I like about you, Cruz!"

He leaned back against the couch, clearly pleased with my answer. Then, he pointed toward a group of guests playing another one of his twisted sex games.

"Susie, right?"

She nodded stiffly.

"Good. Go join them."

All color drained from Susie's face.

Damien, who was clearly amused by her reaction, reached for the pack of cigarettes on the table, pulled one out, and offered it to her. "Here. You smoke, sweetheart?"

When she hesitated, he tilted his head and held the cigarette a little closer. "Go on. Have one."